From your experience, how's the wood stick break? Does that have to do with the grain of the wood?Honestly I've ordered several products from united cutlery before, I don't like saying this because I think some of their knives are ok and I have 3 from them I like, but the canes I've seen looked a bit how do I say it, not durable basically. I'd go for hardwood from what you listed as options, but I have experience using a wooden impact weapon before and if your gonna carry something made of wood even though it's hardwood I'm gonna say carry a backup weapon incase of a freak accident where it might break. With you being in California and the laws being the way they are I'd recommend a tactical pen or pepper spray. Me personally I'd carry a tactical pen as a backup because I can't carry pepper spray the risk is too great one of my family members has a breathing problem. Good Luck.
The cane I buy has very straight wood grain, does that make a difference?
The cane I buy is of Hickory and the grain is very straight. If the break is because of the slanted grain, that should not be my concern. But if it's not, I really want to know.
Thanks