Buying a first cane is a bigger moment than most catalogs admit. So let's start with the one question that matters before wood, before handles, before anything: where will your hand be for most of the day? Resting its full weight, or just borrowing a little balance? Your honest answer decides nearly everything else.
If you lean with real weight, look at a derby handle. It cradles the palm, spreads the load, and won't cramp your grip on a long errand. If you mostly want steadiness — curbs, stairs, uneven grass — the classic crook is lighter in the hand and hooks over your forearm or a chair back when you need both hands for grandchildren.
On weight: heavier is not sturdier. Every cane we make holds far more than any of us weigh. A lighter cane simply asks less of your shoulder by evening, which is why we point most first-timers toward oak or beech and save walnut for the second cane — the one you buy because you want it.
Get the height right (our two-minute guide covers it), pick the handle for how you'll actually use it, and choose the wood that makes you glad to reach for the thing. And if you're still unsure, call. First canes are our favorite conversation.