Cromach

[BoldHighlander]

Hello Terry,we call a "crook" a "cromach" in this part of the world.Stick making or stick dressing is quite a popular hobby in the UK and there are several quite serious competitions that take place during the year to gain various accollades.Stick making used to be almost the preserve of the Game Keepers,stalkers,sheepherds, etc.,that used to make the sticks during the dark winter months to earn a few extra pennies.Or,in my case, a very special 21st birthday gift.

Thanks Jock Scot
I've heard of the competitions and such. It really has gone from a shepherds tool to a big deal, hasn't it? Wonder what those old shepherds would think now of their old working tools, eh?

I am surprised that you practical chaps have not caught the stick making bug,there are plenty of books,videos,DVDs on the subject.

I've got to be honest, I didn't know there were books, dvds, etc on the subject
Where can I find these?

I would love to try my hand at making one, but until I do I'd like to find one like this:





It's funny, the one's I've seen made on this side of the pond seem to be entirely of wood (hence why I ask about Scottish makers). Anybody know if anyone makes these with ram's horn in the US or Canada?

[Jock Scot]

I am not in any way practical!So I don't know,off hand,where to get books etc.on stick making,but I will find out for you.I don't know if your Ebay is the same as ours,but on our Ebay if you look at" walking stick,sticks"you will quite often see Cromachs and stick making kit for sale.Once you have a cromach you will never go for a walk in the country without it.If you make one ,before I find a book for you,don't cut it too short!About your nipple height is somewhere about right!

[BoldHighlander]

I am not in any way practical!So I don't know,off hand,where to get books etc.on stick making,but I will find out for you.I don't know if your Ebay is the same as ours,but on our Ebay if you look at" walking stick,sticks"you will quite often see Cromachs and stick making kit for sale.Once you have a cromach you will never go for a walk in the country without it.If you make one ,before I find a book for you,don't cut it too short!About your nipple height is somewhere about right!

Thanks again Jock, I appreciate your advice

I've also heard (on the height) about where the "notch" is in the middle of the rib cage....hmmm that is about nipple height, isn't it?

[highlander_Daz]

they also come in very handy on Karaoke night as well!!!

[Jock Scot]

Right then,I have consulted with "The Oracle" and his advice is to "Google", art of stickmaking,and you will see what is needed on the book front.I have just done it and Amazon has a few to buy.The book that is the stickmakers "bible" is called something like:the Craft of Stickmaking by Leo ????.Hope this helps to get you started and let me know if I can help further.

[Prester John]

Or just get one of these from Lehmans:

[McMurdo]

You could check out Lee Valley tools they have books etc. for stick making.

[Scotus]

BoldHighlander:

It's funny you should bring this up! I just got my curly ram's horn cromach delivered to me by UPS yesterday! The only company I know of that sells them here in the U.S. is here:

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/73030.html

They are imported of course. Anyway, I love mine. It's made very well. The ram's horn handle and the blackthorn shaft are really nice. The tip and the part between the handle and shaft is made of buffalo horn.

As for length, these are 52", which seems to be perfect for the average man. How tall they are depends on the individual; however, "chest high" is about average.

This is a shepherd's cromach, as opposed to a market cromach.

[caig]

I have had two stocks made by Caldeonian Sticks (www.caledoniansticks.co.uk) and they are excellent. Robert ardno is the owner of the business and he is near Aberdeen.

The firststick he made for me is mid-chest height and is mde of cherry wood. The other is shorter and more suitable for walking in the hills, and has a rams horne crook. he has even carved my individual items on the crook. They were about £85.00 each.

Highly recommended.

[slohairt]

BoldHighlander:

It's funny you should bring this up! I just got my curly ram's horn cromach delivered to me by UPS yesterday! The only company I know of that sells them here in the U.S. is here:

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/73030.html

They are imported of course. Anyway, I love mine. It's made very well. The ram's horn handle and the blackthorn shaft are really nice. The tip and the part between the handle and shaft is made of buffalo horn.

As for length, these are 52", which seems to be perfect for the average man. How tall they are depends on the individual; however, "chest high" is about average.

This is a shepherd's cromach, as opposed to a market cromach.

They even have shillelaghs! My Dad always referred to them (and still does) as L*m*y-thumpers!