


For example, hurlers and cricketers apply raw linseed oil to their hurleys and bats to reduce dents, cracks, and splinters. Oils and waxes improve the toughness of your stick by nourishing the wood to prevent it from getting dry and brittle. Consult with the stickmaker or seller about the suitability of their finishes for contact training. On the other hand, some ISF practitioners have reported using varnished sticks for contact training without problems, so it may depend on the type of product used in the finish.

#Irish cane shillelagh crack
Hard, glossy finishes such as varnish, shellac, or lacquer are low maintenance and provide a great shine, but some of them can also chip or crack under impact. Also some finishes look nice on a walking cane but might not survive stick-on-stick training.įor ISF, I recommend a shillelagh with an oil and/or wax finish for three reasons: Some ferrules that protect the tip of a stick could come loose during practice. Keep in mind, however, that not all knobbed walking sticks may be suitable for ISF training. The advantage of a traditional knobstick is that it can be used as a mobility aid for walking as well as a training weapon for Irish stick-fighting (ISF). Stick-makers outside Ireland are using woods like osage, hickory, and olive, among others. Other traditional options in Ireland include: holly, hawthorn/whitethorn, hazel, chestnut, apple, and oak. Blackthorn is the king of woods for traditional Irish shillelaghs, but ash is a close second. The classic shillelagh is a one-piece, knobbed, walking stick made from a single sapling or tree branch, often with the bark still attached. If I’m missing anyone, please leave a comment with a name and/or link! I’d also love to read recommendations, reviews, and feedback regarding the craftspeople and shops already on the list. The links below are for artisans and businesses where you can shop online for shillelaghs: blackthorn sticks, knobbed walking canes, training weapons for Irish martial arts, etc. With a handsome bark-like wood texture and raised “clipped thorns” on the shaft, and a highly polished faux-wood head, this good-looking stick will be sure to turn heads – whether it is carried under your arm at a historical re-enactment event, or simply hung by the door to greet uninvited guests.Where to Purchase Real Shillelaghs, Bata for Irish Stickfighting, and Knobbed Walking Sticks. Thompson’s private collection, the Blackthorn Shillelagh mimics the look, feel and balance of the original, but made from a high-impact polymer that will withstand even the harshest weather conditions. Modelled after an ancient cudgel in Lynn C.

Its good looks, combined with its hard-wearing materials have made it an often imitated but never equalled classic! Now, we are proud to add a “little brother” to our line-up.Ī shorter, lighter model that we simply named the Blackthorn Shillelagh. Cold Steel’s Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick has been a firm fan favourite since its inception.
