Traditional Blackthorn Sticks

[CMcG]

I think a blackthorn stick makes a great kilt accessory. Does anyone else agree? Yes, I know a cromach is a more traditional Scottish walking stick and blackthorns are more associated with the Irish, but I think a blackthorn is a bit more suitable for the city. I also am a supporter of not only THCD, but also Irish kilts


For those who don't know, the blackthorn has been used by the Irish not only as a walking stick, but also as a weapon (aka shillelagh) for ages. There are even some surviving or recreated martial arts called bataireacht or stick fighting, click for a link with more info. I've had the pleasure (and pain!) of training with Glen Doyle in his family style.

Anyway, there are a few companies online that offer what I think are some pretty sweet, traditional, "Donnybrook" worthy sticks.

Olde Shillelagh Stick Makers has a wide range of options, including decorative and fighting sticks:
http://misticshillelagh.tripod.com/

There is an eBay seller by the name of purplemrsmog who sometimes has really nice, natural, oil-treated blackthorns:
http://myworld.ebay.ca/purplemrsmog/

Last, but definitely not least, is Nollaig Mac Aodha. He's a martial artist and is a newer stick maker who has been doing some really fine work. His facebook page is private, so you'd have to ask to join...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/143811695634371/

<snip>
I'd love to find a really good stout blackthorn.

Given your proclivity for the martial, I'd expect you might want something special in a blackthorn. Perhaps one with an oil finish, rather than lacquer, because it is more durable -- though less shiny? And one without thorns on the shaft, plus a decent sized knob on top?

-------------------

And now for some pics. I've only got one online and my blackthorns are back in Canada. Does anyone else have kilt + blackthorn pics?

[Panache]

I have a number of walking sticks and my blackthorn is my very favorite




I was lucky to come across a nice thick one, apparently they are getting harder to come by.

Cheers

Jamie

[Downunder Kilt]

I have a number of walking sticks and my blackthorn is my very favorite




I was lucky to come across a nice thick one, apparently they are getting harder to come by.

Cheers

Jamie

As far as I am concerned, your stick Jamie, has the most perfect dimensions for a blackthorn walking stick that I have ever seen. How does in feel in the hand? Too many that you see on various vendor sites appear too spindly to me.

[Panache]

As far as I am concerned, your stick Jamie, has the most perfect dimensions for a blackthorn walking stick that I have ever seen. How does in feel in the hand? Too many that you see on various vendor sites appear too spindly to me.

I have some 20 odd walking sticks and staves. This one has just the right feel in my hand, neither too big or too small. It has a lovely substantial feel to it.
I have a long "birding" staff I made myself for serious hiking and a nice ash cromach I bought for highland games (I like the looks of the thinner cromachs with highland dress but they just aren't sturdy enough for my tastes on the trail). However for just out and about my blackthorn is my go to stick.

Cheers

Jamie

[dutchy kilted]

I can't afford a real blackthorn stick, but I got a poly one made by Cold Steel that looks good (from a distance). It is very substantial and you can usually find one on eBay for about $40 US. It looks good with a kilt, too.

[Brasilikilt]

I bought a Blackthorn stick at the local Irish shop...It's a nice stick for sure, but those of you who are real "stick junkies' would do well to get a copy of John Hurley's 'Shillelagh Makers Handbook"
It's well written and shows you step by step how to make your own sticks. I'm sure that there are maybe a few of you who are responding to this thread while mere yards away from where you sit, there's a lovely sapling just waiting to be cut, oiled and dried in the chimney.

[Dale Seago]

I can't afford a real blackthorn stick, but I got a poly one made by Cold Steel that looks good (from a distance). It is very substantial and you can usually find one on eBay for about $40 US. It looks good with a kilt, too.

I have one of those. Pretty much indestructible; only thing I really dislike is that the brown on the "root knob" part is just a microthin veneer that cracks and chips easily.

I once took one on a plane with me, from San Francisco to Houston, Texas and back teaching a martial art seminar. Not only got right on the plane with it, but also walked from end to end of each airport with it carried on my shoulder like a war-club. No one ever commented at all -- it is, after all, a medical assistive device.

Been jonesing for a real one, though. Liam tells me it should be here from Ireland in about a week.

[Foxgun Tom]

I've been making sticks for over 40 years now with all manner of woods, blackthorn, hazel, sycamore, beech, holly etc: At this time of the year when there's hard frost I'm out checking the hedgerows for for suitable shafts! I've been looking at a couple of sights over the last two season's where there's a good covering of Blackthorn and there's few nice shafts to be harvested over the next week or so ! I then leave them in my garden shed to dry out and season while turning them and bending them over my knee to ensure straightness!! Here's some of my personal collection in different woods eg:

[ForresterModern]

Stone Mountain Games 2010 Xmarks gathering. I (green tweed and maroon balmoral just left of center) have a twisted maple walking stick and Atlanta Kiltie has a stick of unknown style, perhaps he will chime in.

I also have a similar twisted hickory walking stick as wel as a true blackthorn from Ireland, that I picked up for a song a year or so ago when J Peterman was clearing out their leftover catalogue stock. Sorry, no pic's of them yet though.

[Riverkilt]

Aye,