Traditional Blackthorn Sticks

[CMcG]

My stick is from Lollysmith's and I like it quite a bit. I was disappointed to find that the shaft was painted black, rather than a natural darkening from the wood or the curing process.

...
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.

BTW, I noticed that at http://misticshillelagh.tripod.com they use an oil finish for their "fighting sticks" selection.

On the "fighting sticks" page, it says the oiled sticks require ongoing care to maintain the finish. I assume this is under the premiss that they will get bashed around a lot and will need to be sanded, then re-oiled to avoid splinters. Some makers seem to prefer lacquer or varnish because of the high gloss finish, which is theoretically zero maintenance... unless it gets chipped, as it would from stick on stick contact.

I've noticed a correlation between varnish/lacquer and black paint on blackthorns. This finish gives the effect that Chas has mentioned and Streetcar bemoans. A certain stick maker I know is very annoyed with the black paint because it isn't traditional but customers have come to expect it...

I'm with Artificer though, I think a properly cured and oiled stick is probably more durable than a lacquered one. And I'm with Streetcar that the natural colour of an oiled blackthorn is quite lovely in all its imperfection.

[artificer]

On the "fighting sticks" page, it says the oiled sticks require ongoing care to maintain the finish. I assume this is under the premiss that they will get bashed around a lot and will need to be sanded, then re-oiled to avoid splinters. Some makers seem to prefer lacquer or varnish because of the high gloss finish, which is theoretically zero maintenance... unless it gets chipped, as it would from stick on stick contact.

I've noticed a correlation between varnish/lacquer and black paint on blackthorns. This finish gives the effect that Chas has mentioned and Streetcar bemoans. A certain stick maker I know is very annoyed with the black paint because it isn't traditional but customers have come to expect it...

I'm with Artificer though, I think a properly cured and oiled stick is probably more durable than a lacquered one. And I'm with Streetcar that the natural colour of an oiled blackthorn is quite lovely in all its imperfection.

It is true that oil finishes do take a little maintenance, but it is fairly minimal, especially when compared to what is required to fix an acrylic or lacquer finish.

Oil is not really a 'hard' coating, and when the wood takes a dent, the oil moves with it. In my experience, acrylics tend to 'bounce back' and leave a small hollow above the dented wood. That unsupported layer then cracks. Lacquers simply chip. I HATE refinishing acrylics.

As an example of how easy it is to maintain a good oil finish:
My walnut dining table is now ~7 years old. It had enough small surface scratches that I wanted to renew the surface.

I gave it a light wipe with mineral spirits to strip any lingering wax or polish that might be on it, lightly wet sanded (with mineral spirits) using 1000g wet/dry paper. Wiped everything down with a tack cloth, and the next day gave the surface three light coats of the oil, then a final buff.

It took me two days of work, but keep in mind the table is ~65 sqft.

In the end it looked as good as new.

ith:

[Dale Seago]

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?

Thanks for the links! And I'm familiar with bataireacht.

And you're right about the sort I'd like. We use sticks of around that length, not just for the obvious striking stuff, but for grappling & joint locks, chokes, and throws as well; and we tend to favor being able to use a "sliding" grip on the shaft which allows us to do a lot of deceptive things regarding range/distance and leverage (and which carry over into longer weapons such as spears and halberds as well). So thorns on the shaft would be a no-no, though somewhat smoothed-over knots/bumps where the thorns were is still, from my personal experience, just fine.

And I do favor a substantial root-knob. . .not, as some might think, to facilitate its use as a club, but. . .

<drumroll>

Are y'all ready for this?

<drumroll>

. . .as a rest for the hand when using it as. . .

<drumroll>

. . .a WALKING STICK!!




(EDIT: I just sent in a order query regarding #61E under Walking Sticks 37-41" at http://misticshillelagh.tripod.com/)

[Ryan Ross]

(EDIT: I just sent in a order query regarding #61E under Walking Sticks 37-41" at http://misticshillelagh.tripod.com/)

Wouldn't you know it... Same one that caught my eye.

Figures.

[Dale Seago]

Wouldn't you know it... Same one that caught my eye.

Figures.

Aye, it does. I just pulled the PayPal trigger.

[Ryan Ross]

Aye, it does. I just pulled the PayPal trigger.

Eh, I knew that would be the next step, and assumed sooner, rather than later. I'll keep an eye peeled, and I'm sure another good one will pop up sometime... hopefully when I've got more extra shekels in my sporran.

[CMcG]

Aye, it does. I just pulled the PayPal trigger.

Nice choice. 'tis a thumper, to be sure!

[Dale Seago]

Thanks for the links! And I'm familiar with bataireacht.

And you're right about the sort I'd like. We use sticks of around that length, not just for the obvious striking stuff, but for grappling & joint locks, chokes, and throws as well; and we tend to favor being able to use a "sliding" grip on the shaft which allows us to do a lot of deceptive things regarding range/distance and leverage (and which carry over into longer weapons such as spears and halberds as well). So thorns on the shaft would be a no-no, though somewhat smoothed-over knots/bumps where the thorns were is still, from my personal experience, just fine.

And I do favor a substantial root-knob. . .not, as some might think, to facilitate its use as a club, but. . .

<drumroll>

Are y'all ready for this?

<drumroll>

. . .as a rest for the hand when using it as. . .

<drumroll>

. . .a WALKING STICK!!




(EDIT: I just sent in a order query regarding #61E under Walking Sticks 37-41" at http://misticshillelagh.tripod.com/)

Well, it arrived at my workplace a couple of hours ago. Length is 37", just right for me. Has a metal cap at the tip, but I'm going to want to get a rubber cane tip on the way home.

I love it already!

Pics:

[creagdhubh]

Lovely sticks, gents! I just can't see myself not having one of my cromachs at hand whilst in Highland attire attending a games or a gathering of some sort. I need something (high-up) to rest my hands and arms on, especially after a few drams!

Cromachs are also particularly suited to clan chiefs, as they are often regarded as 'shepherds of their flock,' meaning the leader of their clan. Personally, I like how my chief, Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD once put it, "I am merely a first among equals."

I do like the look of the Blackhorn stick, though. Very smart indeed.

Cheers,

[Tobus]

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.

Not just Ireland. Scotland, Wales, and England are experiencing a similar trend. Stickmaking is a big deal there, rapidly gaining in popularity as an 'artisan' craft. It is so popular at the moment (and there is such a demand for quality hand-crafted sticks) that the price and availability of traditional sticks has really skyrocketed. And many of the craftsmen cannot keep any in stock. They are selling them as fast as they can make them.

At any rate, I think the blackthorn sticks look great, and definitely lend a particular style to a fellow wearing a kilt. Like Kyle, I personally prefer the taller cromach, but if I were a city fellow, a shorter knobby blackthorn stick would be just the thing!

I'm also a fan of the looks of shorter sticks with hames on top, though they tend to be more "dressy" in appearance.