Irish shillelagh walking stick crack#

I’ve had good experiences with jatoba and purpleheart, and I know other practitioners have enjoyed training sticks made from granadillo and hop hornbeam. Some makers offer many options in exotic hardwoods, and you may wish to consult Zaimoku for info of the most suitable types of wood for training weapons. Consequently, they are sometimes not the best choice for walking sticks. The shillelaghs in this category are made from machined timber and are designed specifically for practising Irish stick-fighting.

Damage to glossy varnish, shellac, or lacquer often means the stick must be stripped and refinished to return it to its former glory.įor further advice on choosing a shillelagh for use in Irish stick-fighting, consult this helpful blog-post from Antrim Bata’s Maxime Chouinard: Stickmakers If your stick gets beaten up during practice, you can just sand down any splinters or damaged bark and apply another coat of oil/wax. 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 shillelagh walking stick 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. Where to Purchase Real Shillelaghs, Bata for Irish Stickfighting, and Knobbed Walking Sticks.