I have seen elsewhere references to junior and senior canes. Is this just the stuff of flagellant literature, or were there different types of cane for use in schools on older/younger, male/female pupils?
It is said that in expert hands a cane is much like a golf club – the power of the swing remains constant and a different size/weight used depending on the force the user wishes to apply.
All other things being equal, therefore, a short thin cane will have less impact than a longer heavier one.