A walking stick or walking cane is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture, but some designs also serve as a fashion accessory, or are used for selfdefense walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes and some have become collectors items. Blackthorn walking sticks authentic irish shillelaghs. Made from one of the strongest stickmakers woods, this is a walking stick which will last for. 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 following is an offering for a wonderful classic irish gnarled carved blackthorn wood walking stick shillelagh. New stock added every week so keep checking site for something different. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick, polypropylene, 37.
We have many different kinds, including specialty or novelty canes, as well as traditional. 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. So much so that smaller versions were considered rural irelands national weapon. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. This is truly a unique, informative and entertaining little book all about making walking sticks using blackthorn full of technical advice and tips from plant identification to the finished product to help you regardless of your level of expertise in this field. Whereas a heavier stick can be a serious means of selfprotection. Etsy has thousands of handcrafted and vintage products that perfectly fit what youre searching for. Blackthorn walking canes, knobsticks, shillelaghs and. A walking stick or walking cane is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture, but some designs also serve as a fashion accessory, or are used for selfdefense.
It is an outgrowth of the old irish sheleghleigh sp. It is made of injection molded polypropylene so it will never warp, crack, splinter or fade. Whatever you prefer, whether you are a man or a woman, we have the perfect cane for you. The shillelagh was so fearsome that the english outlawed it during the final occupation of ireland.
Unfollow blackthorn walking stick to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Antique natural knobby thorny shillelagh cane walking stick. Nov 20, 2015 blackthorn walking sticks the begining. It has been prized for centuries as a material for premium irish walking sticks or cane. Blackthorn bushes are found throughout ireland though. A walking stick is a device used by many people to facilitate balancing while walking. Canes were, for a period of at least three centuries, as crucial a part of the male wardrobe as a pair of trousers is now. Walking stick irish maker attributed to michael casey, c. Cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick, polypropylene. 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. If you want to explore the countryside with a traditional hiking staff, the blackthorn hiking staff is as traditional as it can be.
No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you. Made from the extremely durable irish blackthorn wood, these sticks make a truly wonderful walking companion. Eventually, it became synonymous for any irish walking stick. 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 fact, the original shillelaghs were made of oak and not blackthorn at all. Blackthorn walking sticks uk made the stick and cane shop. Our irish blackthorn walking stick is inspired by an authentic blackthorn from cold steel president, lynn c.
Blackthorn bush is found throughout ireland and the british isles. I live in the usa new england and ordered it on monday and had it on friday. Dec 18, 2016 according to family history, this blackthorn walking stick was grown in porterstown in county limerick, ireland and was given to lighthorse harry. There are not a lot of books on either walking sticks or blackthorn wood as a raw material, available to americans. Mccaffrey irish store blackthorn walking sticks, shillelaghs.
Shillelagh blackthorn walking stick world cultures european. Blackthorn walking stick by cold steel atlanta cutlery. In ancient times in ireland, the blackthorn walking stick was also used as a weapon and referred to as a shillelagh. Irish shillelaghs and walking sticks littleshamrocks. Irish traditional blackthorn walking stick hand crafted from the blackthorn bushes in counties cork and kerry. Blackthorn wood is a type of oak tree and the popular canes made from their wood are known as the traditional irish country walking stick and is highly sought after. Shop cold steel irish blackthorn walking stick, polypropylene, 37 in. These wooden sticks and canes are all quality and durable and are available to you at affordable prices. History of ireland house of lor kieran cunningham liwu jewellery discover the ancient celtic symbol. The following is an offering for a wonderful classic irish gnarled carved blackthorn wood walking stickshillelagh. Welcome to the collector here you can see the many walking sticks that i have collected over the years. The digger takes a look at the history of the blackthorn. Visit us online and shop our collection of irish blackthorn walking sticks. 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.
One of the old proverbs tells us with a walking stick you reach many lands you reach many more with words. Our blackthorn walking stick is a handsome cane worthy of being a family heirloom. The irish blackthorn walking stick is inspired by an authentic blackthorn from cold steel president, lynn c. This wood was used for walking sticks because of its sturdiness. Shillelaghs have a history in ireland going back hundreds of years. Blackthorn bushes are found throughout ireland though with modern agricultural methods they are becoming less prevalent making a blackthorn stick even more unique. History and making of the legendary irish blackthorn walking sticks and shillelaghs. Very good well worn and gnarled,the metal tip is missing. Irish blackthorn series speciality items cold steel uk. Decorative canes are classy pieces of history that go back thousands of years.
It was actually an english writer who coined the term shillelagh. Todays version of the irish shillelagh is a walking stick or cane but, to the ancient irish, the shillelagh was their weapon of choice. The cold steel 37in polypropylene irish blackthorn walking stick has been prized for centuries as using the blackthorn bush for premium 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. How to make a blackthorn walking stick our pastimes. Blackthorn walking sticks irelands largest authentic shillelagh and blackthorn walking stick maker, open for business during global pandemic, using dhl to ship worldwide from my home workshop. In his wonderful book on irish folklore, padraic colum quotes john banim in this. 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. Blackthorn walking stick history the irish jewelry companys blog. The genuine handmade irish shillelagh hammacher schlemmer. 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. Discover the latest additions to the blarney store.
The humble walking stick has been a staple of mankind used as a walking aid a fashion accessory and even a weapon. Prunus spinosa is a deciduous large shrub or small tree growing to 5 m tall, with blackish bark and dense, stiff, spiny branches. Blackthorn sticks and shillelaghs are objects that are deeprooted in our history. The original blackthorn sticks were two to fourfoot long irish shillelaghs the national weapon of rural ireland.
Blackthorn bionomial name prunus spinosa also known as sloe is a species of prunus native to europe, western asia, and locally in northwest africa. Buy blackthorn walking sticks and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay. Known commonly as blackthorns or blackthorn walking sticks or even shillelaghs, the finish for these fine specimens is left organic and very often unfinished save for a slight. 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. Make offer brass horse spiky wildcherry shillelaghwalking stickcanefaux blackthorn steampunk swagger. The blackthorn walking stick also referred to as a shillelagh or a bata in. It was copied carefully, and then artfully modified to a point where it not only mimics nature, but actually rivals and supersedes anything the natural world could produce.
See our selection to find the one that fits your lifestyle. It is also locally naturalised in new zealand and eastern north america. In his book, a social history of ancient ireland, historian p. 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. Irish blackthorn walking stick cold steel product this walking stick from cold steels presidents private collection is a superb faux blackthorn walking 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. Payment is by paypal only, if you dont have a paypal account you can sign up for one at. The gaelic bata, or fighting stick, would have been made from oak, blackthorn, ash or holly. People with disabilities may use some kinds of walking sticks as a crutch. The fascinating history behind your blackthorn walking stick. Blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks. Very hard to come by naturally, this was molded from an original in a. Find great deals on ebay for irish shillelagh walking stick and antique irish blackthorn shillelagh walking stick. Joyce notes that the ancient irish used broadswords, much like their neighbors. Indeed, men were likely to have several canes, to be used on different occasions at the office, going out in the evening and at the weekends. A lighter stick will be ideal for a brisk stroll great for controlling a dog and pushing away wild brambles. Very hard to come by naturally, this was molded from an original in a private collection from indestructible, heavy polypropylene.
According to family history, this blackthorn walking stick was grown. Blackthorn stick redwall wiki fandom powered by wikia. Blackthorn walking canes, knobsticks, shillelaghs and staffs. The english when they took over ireland were having issues being beaned by them, so they banned them. To get around the law, the irish turned the shillelagh into a walking stick. 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. Celtic crafts 4u make and supply genuine top quality irish walking sticks and shillelaghs through our web site at.
Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes, and can be sought by collectors. There are many legends associated with the blackthorn. The blackthorn stick is a stick some redwall characters use for walking or as a weapon. Multipurpose, selfdefence, survival tool scottish history and myth. A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty blackthorn. Irish blackthorn walking stick irish shopper limited. Irish blackthorn walking stick polypropylene cold steel. Our cold steel irish blackthorn walking sticks are inspired by an authentic blackthorn from cold steel president lynn c. Irish blackthorn story history of symbolic walking stick. Walking stick humanities libertexts libretextshumanities. Blackthorn walking sticks are used as both a cane and a fashion accessory.
I received my blackthorn walking stick from mccaffrey a few days ago. The diameter of shaft is 78 inch under the handle 58 inch at the end. Keep reading to learn some of the history behind these fascinating mobility aids and fashion statements. However, one of the most interesting decorative canes is perhaps the blackthorn walking stick. Discover all the extraordinary items our community of craftspeople have to offer and find the perfect gift for your loved one or yourself. Make offer antique cocacola collectors cane walking stick horn handle silver, copper tip folk art walking stick american vintage 1933 presentation war patriotic 37. Buy blackthorn lore and the art of making walking sticks new edition by john murchie douglas isbn. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
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