I'm not blind, but I'm a pensioner with a cane. I've only had to use it once in defense, but I don't flail it like some might do. It's far more effective when thrust tip first, like a ram. I could make it even more effective by swinging the ice cleat on it to the tip, but that really isn't necessary. The time that I did employ it in this manner, I didn't actually have to use it, because the man that was confronting me backed off cursing me, even though he was probably 30+ years younger and far, far bigger and stronger than myself.