Just got mine (scorched maple), absolutely beautiful. Holds up as a walking stick as promised! Just two questions:
1) Honestly, what is the rubber ring for? All I've read is that "solids can't have a tip cup, so here's a ring." So... is it a spacer between the metal tips and the wood? Or does it go over and around the tips to bring the folded canopy in to make it look tighter? I feel like an idiot for asking, but I just don't know.
2) Somebody below asked about after-market collars. It would seem to be an engraved plate wrapped around and nailed on. Anybody have experience with adding this?
Thanks!