#Cold steel blackthorn shillelagh crack

Together¸ all these elements create a walking stick that is decidedly different from all others. The result is a distinctive¸ glossy black finish. That process involves smearing the wood with butter and placing it inside a chimney. The black color¸ for example¸ comes not only from the wood itself but also from an unusual process. Yet there are a few more factors that set a shillelagh apart. Such a stick is then known as a loaded stick¸ although the heaviness of blackthorn roots made it unnecessary to do this with blackthorn shillelaghs. Adding to that weight is the molten lead that often was added after hollowing out the knob end of the stick. It’s used both as a sturdy handle for walking and as the “business end¸’’ so to speak¸ in shillelagh fighting. Another part of its heft is from the large knob at the top of the stick.

#Cold steel blackthorn shillelagh crack

With the root of the tree being the preferred source for blackthorn wood¸ it not only makes a weightier shillelagh but also makes it less likely to crack or break when used.

It’s also heavier and stronger than the typical walking stick. Sanding those thorns leaves a nubby¸ knotty appearance that immediately marks this walking stick as a high-quality blackthorn shillelagh. Shillelaghs designed form it use only straight lengths of stout blackthorn wood with spiny thorns covering it. Indeed¸ its strong association with Ireland is still the shillelagh’s most identifying feature.īlackthorn became the wood of choice due to its beauty and durability. Knowing this¸ it was an English writer who is credited with first naming this walking stick. It is from these trees that the first shillelaghs were made. Initially called an Irish bata¸ or fighting stick¸ it takes its current name from the Shillelagh Forest in County Wicklow¸ Ireland¸ whose claim to fame was once its many massive oak trees. What Is a Shillelagh?įirst¸ a shillelagh is a quite specific type of knotty walking stick. They still don’t answer exactly what it is. Yet these details demonstrate only the reasons that a shillelagh is different from other canes or walking sticks. They also explain why shillelaghs have become such cherished collectors’ items. Add to that where the wood comes from¸ along with how its Irish fighting-club history made this walking stick a distinctive part of Irish culture and heritage¸ and all these details begin to provide you with a fairly good idea of what goes into a shillelagh. For example¸ besides the blackthorn wood¸ the particular way a shillelagh is designed separates it from all other walking sticks. In fact¸ even among blackthorn canes¸ there are certain details that identify a genuine Irish shillelagh. It also makes the best quality shillelagh. While you may find a shillelagh for sale designed from ash¸ oak or holly¸ blackthorn wood is a traditional Irish choice. Specially designed¸ it has a rich Irish history that makes it unlike any other walking stick. That’s because there’s nothing ordinary about a shillelagh. Irish Blackthorn Walking Sticks & ShillelaghsĪn ordinary walking stick is often called by many names¸ but not one of those names is shillelagh.

All thorns and spurs that have been completely removed should leave behind a fine dimple in the wood.

If made by a craftsman familiar with the creation of shillelaghs¸ the cane should come to a fine taper.

Knobs or protrusions left from the thorns should be spaced evenly around the shaft of the cane.

Hawthorne looks very similar¸ but lacks the uniformity of blackthorn¸ and will usually have many irregularities in the wood grain.

Here are four tips to check and be sure that any shillelagh is of high quality: We guarantee our shillelaghs to be genuine Irish blackthorn canes¸ but many other retailers sell imitations¸ crafted from hawthorne or other thorny bushes and trees. These thorns are removed in the process of finishing and sanding a walking cane shaft¸ but the dark wood and numerous knots and protrusions are left behind as a signature of the plant from which it came.

It is a very hard¸ close-grained wood¸ and if harvested from the trunk of the blackthorn tree¸ any sample should be covered in sharp¸ vicious spines. Also known as European Spiny Plum (Prunus spinosa)¸ this hardwood plant offers all of the qualities a cane-maker wants in his materials.