Yes, a walking stick can be an effective self defense weapon for the following reasons:
First, a walking stick can be taken almost everywhere you go and doesn’t look threatening.
Second, using a walking stick for self defense gives you reach advantage and can keep an attacker away from you.
Third, your walking stick won’t bleed, making using a walking stick for self defense a good option for self defense against a knife or other weapon.
Fourth, a walking stick is a great option for self defense because it is a force multiplier, making your strikes harder and faster.
Learn more about using a walking stick for self defense here: Walking Stick Self Defense Techniques