Traditional Blackthorn Sticks

**artificer** · 1st February 12, 07:08 PM

I agree! I'm starting research into a walking stick for when I finally need my knees rebuilt, and a real Blackthorn is one of the things that's on my short list.

BTW: I'd ALWAYS go oil finish over a poly, lacquer, or other coating. Oil penetrates and polymerizes giving a harder and better lasting finish.

I actually tung oiled the walnut dining table I built, it took 3 weeks of constant, patient, buffing and re-oiling, but it's nearly indestructible. (the table is ~5' x 12')

**Mickey** · 1st February 12, 08:18 PM

CMcG, thanks for the links! Those are great.

Originally Posted by artificer

I actually tung oiled the walnut dining table I built, it took 3 weeks of constant, patient, buffing and re-oiling, but it's nearly indestructible. (the table is ~5' x 12')

Just as a sidenote, if you do any more woodwork where you want an oil finish, I HIGHLY recommend a product called Permalyn, from Laurel Mountain Forge. It is a gun stock finish that is quite superior to tung oil. It is worked very similar, but is faster curing, dries harder yet more flexible, Is much more resistant to temp and humidity, and like oil, you can go anywhere from satin to high gloss.

I stopped using tung oil over 20 years ago when I came across this. It is the only thing that touches any of my wood or cork projects. You can get it at Brownells and I know Track of The Wolf used to carry it. Don't know if they still do.

**Dale Seago** · 1st February 12, 08:39 PM

Hey Mickey, thanks for that product reference!!

**Mickey** · 1st February 12, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

Hey Mickey, thanks for that product reference!!

My pleasure Dale. Give it a shot. Laurel Mountain at one time had a bit of a tutorial on using it. There is a slight learning curve, but IMO, there is nothing better.

**Creeker** · 6th March 12, 05:17 AM

My walking cane on the right and the weaponized version on the left.

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**Chas** · 2nd February 12, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I agree! I'm starting research into a walking stick for when I finally need my knees rebuilt, and a real Blackthorn is one of the things that's on my short list.
BTW: I'd ALWAYS go oil finish over a poly, lacquer, or other coating. Oil penetrates and polymerizes giving a harder and better lasting finish.
I actually tung oiled the walnut dining table I built, it took 3 weeks of constant, patient, buffing and re-oiling, but it's nearly indestructible. (the table is ~5' x 12')

Here's a thing. In the UK, you can tell a stick is a blackthorn, because it is black. And because most are acquired through retail outlets, having been made in Ireland, I have always assumed that it was some sort of cultural thing and have never questioned it. If it is knobbly and black, it is a blackthorn and it is Irish.

I will have to pay closer attention in future to the sticks I see.

Regards

Chas

**artificer** · 2nd February 12, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Here's a thing. In the UK, you can tell a stick is a blackthorn, because it is black. And because most are acquired through retail outlets, having been made in Ireland, I have always assumed that it was some sort of cultural thing and have never questioned it. If it is knobbly and black, it is a blackthorn and it is Irish.

I will have to pay closer attention in future to the sticks I see.

Regards

Chas

I wasn't referring to anything other than the coating/finishing. Lacquer or acrylic will chip - oil goes in.

Originally Posted by Mickey

CMcG, thanks for the links! Those are great.

Just as a sidenote, if you do any more woodwork where you want an oil finish, I HIGHLY recommend a product called Permalyn, from Laurel Mountain Forge. It is a gun stock finish that is quite superior to tung oil. It is worked very similar, but is faster curing, dries harder yet more flexible, Is much more resistant to temp and humidity, and like oil, you can go anywhere from satin to high gloss.

I stopped using tung oil over 20 years ago when I came across this. It is the only thing that touches any of my wood or cork projects. You can get it at Brownells and I know Track of The Wolf used to carry it. Don't know if they still do.

You're right on there.

The stuff I used was a modified Tung, and is completely water resistant. When I was doing tests I left a sweaty, ice-cold glass on all the samples for two days, refilling with ice water when they'd get too warm. This stuff was bullet-proof.

ith:

**CMcG** · 2nd February 12, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

...

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

The blackthorn in the picture I posted is a bit spindly but my other one is more substantial. I definitely prefer the more solid one.

From what I understand, there may bit a bit of a renaissance in traditional stick making going on in Ireland. Nothing large scale, rather a few younger people who are becoming interested in learning the old skills.

Originally Posted by Chas

Here's a thing. In the UK, you can tell a stick is a blackthorn, because it is black. And because most are acquired through retail outlets, having been made in Ireland, I have always assumed that it was some sort of cultural thing and have never questioned it. If it is knobbly and black, it is a blackthorn and it is Irish.

I will have to pay closer attention in future to the sticks I see.

I have heard various explanations about the origins of the black colour, from smoking the sticks to help dry them, to leaving them in peat or manure to cure them. If a blackthorn is treated with just oil or lacquer, however, it is more likely to be a dark, purplish colour.

For further consideration, many sticks out there sold as "blackthorns" might actually be hawthorn, whitethorn, hazel, or even crab apple. All these apparently make a nice stick but a bit of black paint let's them be sold for a premium in retail outlets.

I don't own an oil treated blackthorn yet, but I've been lusting after one for a while...

**Chas** · 2nd February 12, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I have heard various explanations about the origins of the black colour, from smoking the sticks to help dry them, to leaving them in peat or manure to cure them. If a blackthorn is treated with just oil or lacquer, however, it is more likely to be a dark, purplish colour.

For further consideration, many sticks out there sold as "blackthorns" might actually be hawthorn, whitethorn, hazel, or even crab apple. All these apparently make a nice stick but a bit of black paint let's them be sold for a premium in retail outlets.

I don't own an oil treated blackthorn yet, but I've been lusting after one for a while...

This is what I meant. All the blackthorn sticks I have seen were black and shiny - as if they had been painted. That's what I meant by a cultural thing - I thought that was how they were made.

Regards

Chas