Traditional Blackthorn Sticks

**JCheshire** · 13th February 12, 09:53 PM

Since I'm currently living in the Brazos Valley in Texas, the cane I currently have (okay, the only one I have) is from a company called Brazos Walking Sticks. I have NO interest in the company whatsoever, I'm just pleased with the stick. It feels right in my hand and is quite sturdy. That, and it's handsome, too. Here's a link for a close-up of the one I own. You can see it in my avatar as well.
: http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com...king-Cane.html
Again, no interest in the company...just my $0.02

**Ryan Ross** · 14th February 12, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

Okay. . .Got the cane tip; got it home; ready to ramble:

Oh, and that's a bottle of Slieve na gCloc peated single malt Irish whiskey, which Trader Joe's is currently selling under its own label.

Honestly, I think your stick looks more visually balanced with the new cane tip, which is not necessarily what I was expecting!

Very nice customization, sir!

When you get the opportunity, we need a shot of you leaning on said stick.

**CMcG** · 14th February 12, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

<snip>

When you get the opportunity, we need a shot of you leaning on said stick.

Kilted, of course!

**artificer** · 14th February 12, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

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** · 14th February 12, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

When you get the opportunity, we need a shot of you leaning on said stick.

Originally Posted by CMcG

Kilted, of course!

I'll be sure to take care of that this weekend.

In the meantime, I'm just back from Show and Tell at the dojo, and I took this pic of the real and faux blackthorns together for comparative purposes:

The real one is less dense/lighter, and also better balanced: With the cane tip on, the POB is actually right at the center.

**Ryan Ross** · 15th February 12, 08:13 AM

Wow- It's crazy how similar they are in size and shape.

You know, I think I'm going to go back on my word about the Cold Steel Blackthorn, yet one more time- I find that the main problem with it is the ridiculous weight!

Is it still quite usable? Oh yes. Would it actually be more dangerous if lighter? Almost certainly. Is that why Seago Sensei got a gem, in his new aquisition? Affirmative.

**Dale Seago** · 19th February 12, 04:43 PM

Ryan, I agree on the weight.

My real blackthorn is lighter, but still more properly considered a short staff than a "stick". In blade terms versus the more commonly seen sticks, it's like a baskethilt claymore versus a fencing saber. Not light & whippy-fast, but a good "downright blow" is likely to break bones even one-handed.

BTW I just pulled the trigger on a jo-length staff (54") from Liam, #71C.

**Dale Seago** · 19th February 12, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Honestly, I think your stick looks more visually balanced with the new cane tip, which is not necessarily what I was expecting!

Very nice customization, sir!

When you get the opportunity, we need a shot of you leaning on said stick.

Well, this is as close as it gets so far. Tonight one of my 5th-dan students, Becca, had a housewarming party. Another of my black belts took this pic of me there with the blackthorn:

**Ryan Ross** · 19th February 12, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

BTW I just pulled the trigger on a jo-length staff (54") from Liam, #71C.

Just keep adding insult to injury, sir. I'm sure it's good for my character.

Excelent picture, by the way. I still can't believe how perfectly proportioned that blackthorn is. I'll be hard-pressed to find one as good, methinks. Could happen, though.