Most incidents turn on the smallest details. A 4' metal pole with a sharp point on the end is a very meaningful thing to have in your hand. 99% of any incidents will be with dogs. So it's more about appearing big and formidable than it is actually needing to fight. Do not run. Stand, brandish your weapon, and make noise. People aren't that different from dogs. This is one of nature's strategies: appear big & scary.
If you were hiking and descending many challenging pistes with slippery rocks and whatnot, you would be happy to have a walking stick to help you.
Granted, I'm assuming that the "strangers" as alluded to in the post you're responding to are not themselves armed. It seems like that is what was communicated.
Also, if #1 is why it's used then #2 and #3 are just gravy.
Also for dogs, being long, they are far slower to move than the animal, witch means that they can only be used with the intention of trespass the dog skin with the tip, a thing typically not lethal (unless you are a dog killer with exercise) but very painful who likely get more aggressive then before...
If I want to de-escalate with someone much depend on the situation but in general remain calm and clearly indifferent works far better then appear threatening and aggressive. If I need to push aggressive docs I can just ignore them continuing my root OR if they come close enough hit them hard with a single kick, that's far less painful then being pierced by a pointed stick but also far more threatening for them, they feel "throw away" by a so superior force that's no point in keep attacking. If that's not enough hit their head will stop them anyway, if you have no choice a stick will be of no help...