The blackthorn stick is a stick some redwall characters use for walking or as a weapon. I injured my knee 10 years ago and i had to use a walking stick for a while, so i picked up a irish blackthorn walking stick. Blackthorn walking sticks authentic irish shillelaghs. Irish shillelaghs and walking sticks littleshamrocks. Whereas a heavier stick can be a serious means of selfprotection. The blackthorn tree was thought to have evil in it. Grown from coppiced wood, blackthorn is an extremely thorny plant capable of inflicting poisoning on the forester if not correctly handled when cutting the sticks. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick, polypropylene, 37. History of blackthorn walking sticks blackthorn bush is found throughout ireland and the british isles. For the reasons described in col mccauls answer, in olden times a sturdy walking stick was a necessary tool in the hands of every countryman. Biddy murphy irish shillelagh authentic blackthorn decorative 1418 made in ireland. If you want to explore the countryside with a traditional hiking staff, the blackthorn hiking staff is as traditional as it can be. A traditional and very highly regarded country walking stick.
A history of walking sticks the humble walking stick has been a staple of mankind used as a walking aid a fashion accessory and even a weapon. In ireland, suitable alternatives include ash, holly, oak, hazel, and hawthorn, based on qualities like their toughness and the availability of relatively straight shanks for stickmaking. Some are light but shinaiweight and heavier are more. After doing a lot of research online, reading into the description and history, and looking into the info posted by a particular maker about his material sourcing and gathering, i believe i managed to score myself a genuine blackthorn walking stick from ireland.
Brazos walking cane for men and women handcrafted of lightweight wood and made in the usa, knob root, 37 inches. Made from the extremely durable irish blackthorn wood, these sticks make a truly wonderful walking companion. Blackthorn walking sticks made in ireland derryhick sticks. However one needs to be very careful before buying an authentic irish blackthorn stick. Known users of a blackthorn stick aggril alfoh the elder ellayo swifteye ruskem sister setiva abbess germaine martha braebuck books blackthorn sticks appear in mossflower, martin the warrior, salamandastron, marlfox, taggerung, and loamhedge. And it was said that witches would use these sticks as walking sticks so that they could cause mischief while on the go. The shillelagh walking stick has been the cane of choice for many european gentlemen for centuries. This martial tradition has been transmitted from father to son for several generations and seems to have. The shillelagh bata or the rediscovery of a living irish martial tradition by maxime chouinard, b. The celtic other use for the staff or walking stick or shillelagh was as a cudgel combining supportiveness and a way of fending off people in self defense, this you can remember when anybody tries to beat you down or suppress those new creative thoughts and aspirations, a the blackthorn also is sin ominous with. The wood of the blackthorn tree is traditionally used in ireland to make shillelaghs, a strong walking stick for the weak. Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick world cultures european. Walking cane bubba stik texas style walking stick made of stained tennessee hardwood and topped with a brass hame handle from a real horse collar harness.
Moulded from an original irish blackthorn stick in indestructible, heavy polypropylene, this stick will never crack, warp. Jun 29, 20 this nice man explains how to make a walking stick from the beginning of a branch then adds style, decorations and accessories to make them all unique. Blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks. It was used to aid walking on unpaved roads or in the open country. Supplejack made from a tropical american vine, also serves as a cane. We all like the idea of saving a bit of cash, so when we found out how many good quality used products are out there we just had to let you know. Natural blackthorn walking sticks are durable, attractive and much sought after a blackthorn walking stick is the best choice if you enjoy long walks in the countryside. Find great deals on ebay for blackthorn shillelagh and blackthorn shillelagh walking stick.
Although the shillelagh is thought to be irish, according to anthony bluett, it was an english writer who coined the name for irish walking sticks. And while its difficult to trace its exact origins, key moments in history show how our love and appreciation for the walking stick has developed. At present, the quintessential shillelagh is a knobbed walking stick of approximately three feet in length and made from the wood of a blackthorn shrub. Blackthorn walking sticks are used as both a cane and a fashion accessory. This article is a research in the methods, history and culture of the irish martial art of shillelagh bata. Irish blackthorn story history of symbolic walking stick. Typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, that is associated with ireland and irish folklore. The gaelic bata, or fighting stick, would have been made from oak, blackthorn, ash or holly.
How shillelagh fighting evolved into a irish martial art. Prunus spinosa is a deciduous large shrub or small tree growing to 5 m tall, with blackish bark and dense, stiff, spiny branches. This chunky, supportive country walking stick is made from soughtafter blackthorn wood, distinguished by its rich colour and characterful appearance, and fitted with a leather wrist loop and a rubberspike ferrule, so you can use it both. It is an outgrowth of the old irish sheleghleigh sp. Our cold steel irish blackthorn walking sticks are inspired by an authentic blackthorn from cold steel president lynn c. Genuine irish smooth blackthorn walking stick todays version of the irish shillelagh is a walking stick or cane but, to the ancient irish, the shillelagh was their weapon of choice. How to straighten a blackthorn with only the use of one hand. The original blackthorn sticks were two to fourfoot long irish shillelaghs the national weapon of rural ireland.
The word shillelagh which has its origins from the once majestic ancient oak forest of shillelagh in county wicklow has now become synonymous with a certain type of tacky tourist artifact. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Blackthorn walking stick hazel shaft and authentic blackthorn handle genuine irish shillelagh cane copper ferule base made in ireland. Blackthorn walking sticks uk made the stick and cane shop. Blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks by j. Blackthorn is traditionally used in magic as protection from evil. Up until then, walking sticks had been used for centuries, originally as an aid for traveling over uneven ground and as a defensive weapon, and. The digger takes a look at the history of the blackthorn. However, one should always keep in mind that its the tradition and history of the stick that is important and not necessarily what it is made of or where its from in. Nov 15, 2017 blackthorn is a highly soughtafter wood. There are many legends associated with the blackthorn. Irish blackthorn walking sticks blackthorn canes for sale. One of the old proverbs tells us with a walking stick you reach many lands you reach many more with words. Shop irish culture and irish customs world cultures european.
In the oracles, if you pulled a blackthorn card it was said to give you strength and perseverance in times of adversity. Blackthorn sticks and shillelaghs are objects that are deeprooted in our history. The history of walking sticksfrom the dawn of time to modern day. What is the history of the irish blackthorn staff aka the. Shillelagh history explained, origins of ancient fight stick. The shillelagh is associated with ireland and irish folklore. Mccaffrey irish store blackthorn walking sticks, shillelaghs. History of walking canes is a brief history of walking canesfrom authority to accessory. All of our paper waste is recycled within the uk and turned into corrugated cardboard. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club, or cudgel made from a thick, knotty stick with a large knob on top of blackthorn wood. Despite their many uses, however, in the oldest tradition, they were considered weapons for protection. The way to get around legislation about having a weapon was to call it a walking stick.
Blackthorn bionomial name prunus spinosa also known as sloe is a species of prunus native to europe, western asia, and locally in northwest africa. Blackthorn an irish walking stick, or shillelagh, made from the blackthorn prunus spinosa. It has been prized for centuries as a material for premium irish walking sticks or cane. The rich reddishbrown color of the blackthorn bark is as distinctive as it is appealing. Aran isle sweaters, guinness glasses, waterford crystal, genuine blackthorn walking sticks, the flag of the republic and more. After doing a lot of research online, reading into the description and history, and looking into the info posted by a particular maker about his material sourcing and gathering, i believe i managed to score myself a. Nov 01, 2018 at present, the quintessential shillelagh is a knobbed walking stick of approximately three feet in length and made from the wood of a blackthorn shrub.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. How to make a blackthorn walking stick our pastimes. The actual phrase walking cane was not in existence until the sixteenth century. See more ideas about blackthorn walking stick, walking sticks and walking sticks and canes. The fascinating history behind your blackthorn walking stick.
The blackthorn walking stick is one of the most popular walking sticks available and the authentic irish versions are sought worldwide. This nice man explains how to make a walking stick from the beginning of a branch then adds style, decorations and accessories to make them all. The blackthorn bush is becoming increasingly more scarce in ireland, which is why many walking stick suppliers are now sourcing sticks made of this material from europe. As well as being used for support while walking, many people collect the mobility devices because of their irish ancestry and rich irish blackthorn history, as well as their unique style. Made from one of the strongest stickmakers woods, this is a walking stick which will last for a long time, while requiring low maintenance. A lighter stick will be ideal for a brisk stroll great for controlling a dog and pushing away wild brambles. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Blackthorn walking stick by cold steel atlanta cutlery. Decorative canes are classy pieces of history that go back thousands of years. In ireland, suitable alternatives include ash, holly, oak, hazel, and hawthorn, based on qualities like their toughness and the availability of relatively straight shanks for stick making.
However, one of the most interesting decorative canes is perhaps the blackthorn walking stick. The cold steel 37in polypropylene irish blackthorn walking stick has been prized for centuries as using the blackthorn bush for premium walking sticks. However, the genuine article was a formidable weapon mostly made from oak or blackthorn rootwood, around three feet long terminating in a deadly gnarled knot. Back in the days of witch hunts, you did not want to be caught with a blackthorn walking stick, that was for sure. Blackthorn walking sticks the begining francis mccaffrey. In ancient times in ireland, the blackthorn walking stick was also used as a weapon and referred to as a shillelagh. Made from one of the strongest stickmakers woods, this is a walking stick which will last for. Keep reading to learn some of the history behind these fascinating mobility aids and fashion statements. Prunus spinosa is a large deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5 metres 16 ft tall, with blackish bark and dense, stiff, spiny branches. See more ideas about blackthorn walking stick, walking sticks and walking. The english when they took over ireland were having issues being beaned by them, so they banned them. President kennedy was given a blackthorn walking stick by his cousin jimmy kennedy when he visited the family homestead in dunganstown.
Shillelaghs are traditionally made from blackthorn wood or oak. It is also locally naturalised in new zealand and eastern north america. Walking stick simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This wood was used for walking sticks because of its sturdiness. In the british army, blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the royal irish regiment. Because of these spines, it has been used for centuries throughout ireland as property dividers to keep the family livestock. It takes time, dedication and a little bit of luck to grow a perfectly natural blackthorn walking stick, which is why blackthorn walking sticks are rather rare and a bit harder to come by. Unfollow blackthorn walking stick to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Grown from coppiced wood, blackthorn is an extremely thorny plant capable of inflicting poisoning on the forester if. Shooting stick it can fold out into a singlelegged seat. Blackthorn is a very hard, closegrained wood and is grown from a bush that is covered with very sharp, vicious spines. What is the history of walking canes classy walking sticks.
Buy blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks new edition by douglas, john murchie isbn. A shillelagh, a cudgel with a strap is a wooden walking stick. Knotted english chestnut walking stick with leather loop please login to see price. Irish walking stick genuine blackthorn made in ireland. Both stick training and shinai training use the walking stick. Notwithstanding all of the difficulties associated with the species, the blackthorn walking stick is one of the most popular walking sticks available and an authentic irish blackthorn walking stick is regarded worldwide as a valuable possession. Irish stick fighting however, while the name of the walking stick itself may not be irish, but the use of the blackthorn stick as a weapon certainly is. We combed the internet to find reliable resources for the most popular irish products.
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