From: Bill Reif 
Subject: Re: carbon canes
On 1997-04-10 Harvey Heagy said:
   >MF> fiber folding cane for three years with no problem.
   >First, we should not have paid for them until we were assured of a
   >quality product.
I've had a carbon fiber telescopic I have used for well over two years
with no problem, other than the inevitable chips on the  finish that
happen when it makes contact with something   Certainly, the
quality/price ratio of my cane has been excellent.  I know that some
people have had problems in that their cane joints, rather than tighten
gradually and creating a good friction hold, either allow the section to
slide out completely or simply reach an end point in a manner similar to
a telescopic antenna, thus making it impossible to keep the cane open.
I also have a straight telescopic, with which I also have had no
problems other than that it was once stepped on, causing the fibers at
one section to separate and the outer coating to crack slightly.  IMHO,
the convenience and ease of use of carbon fiber more than make up for
any defficiencies.   For the sake of argument, I'll give you enough
credit to assume you're not suggesting that the NFB evaluate *each* cane
separately before paying for it.  That which the NFB gladly pays for
replacement canes is less than what would be paid for inspecting each
cane, or insisting on no defective canes (which would necessarily raise
the selling price).
   >second, what are we doing dealing with Korea in
   >the first place when there are blind persons right here in the
   >U.S. who need job
You're proposing a sheltered workshop?  Most of what it takes to produce
a carbon fiber cane is done mechanically.  Very little of the cost is
attributable to its assembly.  If you want those employees, blind or
sighted, who operate the machines or do the assembling to make a decent
living, you will have to be willing to pay much more for your cane.
Bill Reif
Springfield, Illinois
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