Traditional Blackthorn Sticks

**Nick the DSM** · 2nd February 12, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Lime

This thread reminds me of a joke... "what's brown and sticky?" "A stick!"

Classic.

I'd love to learn shillelagh fighting.

**Chas** · 2nd February 12, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

Classic.

I'd love to learn shillelagh fighting.

I don't think there's any rules!

Regards

Chas

**Nick the DSM** · 2nd February 12, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

I don't think there's any rules!

Regards

Chas

No, but there are techniques!

**ForresterModern** · 2nd February 12, 06:15 PM

To Foxgun Tom

You sir have a truly enviable collection there. Very nice indeed.

(green stripe arises along the midline of my back).

**creagdhubh** · 3rd February 12, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

To Foxgun Tom

You sir have a truly enviable collection there. Very nice indeed.

(green stripe arises along the midline of my back).

Agreed. Reminds me a bit of my friend and fellow Macpherson clansman, Sandy Macpherson of Edinburgh. When you walk into his house, he has a wooden container full of all sorts of different cromachs, crooks, and walking sticks from makers located all over Scotland.

I am always in awe of his collection every time I see it. I have slowly begun this hobby as well - great, more expense, my wife is going to love this!

Cheers,

**Streetcar** · 3rd February 12, 01:34 PM

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.

**Ryan Ross** · 3rd February 12, 08:07 PM

Another thing is that an oil finish can let the stick breathe, and stop it from over drying (yes, it can and will happen) and getting brittle.

This isn't much of an issue for walking sticks, but for anything used in serious martial arts, it's a consideration to take.

**Panache** · 13th February 12, 03:03 PM

Nice looking stick Dale!

Cheers

Jamie

**Ryan Ross** · 13th February 12, 03:22 PM

My God- That thing is BRILLIANT!

Are the thorn nubs on the shaft smooth enough to not impede the sliding action too much, when it's hanbojutsu time? It's a bit hard to say for sure, from the pic.

I need to keep an eye out, as that one looks to be the PERFECT size.

**Dale Seago** · 13th February 12, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

My God- That thing is BRILLIANT!

Are the thorn nubs on the shaft smooth enough to not impede the sliding action too much, when it's hanbojutsu time?

They are indeed!

Given the type of finish (paint & varnish) it's really MEANT to be a walking stick rather than something you'd want to spend a lot of time practicing with as a fighting stick. But Liam says if you need to do some. . .cosmetic work. . .on it for whatever reason, all you need do is lightly sand the affected area; use a little black paint or magic marker if appropriate; and seal with a little varnish.

In terms of the grip and how it feels, this will work just dandy with either the Irish methods or our hanbojutsu.

I'm going to keep my $30 indestructible neoprene "faux blackthorn" from Cold Steel for practice, and this as my EDC and airline-travel piece.