Blackthorn Walking Sticks – Traditional Irish Cane And Shillelagh
The Irish Blackthorn walking stick is traditionally made from the Blackthorn bush, which is found throughout Ireland and the British Isles. Originally, Blackthorn sticks were two to four feet long and were known as Irish shillelaghs, a common weapon for the rural people of Ireland. It was a truly deadly piece of equipment. The English actually outlawed it as a weapon during the last occupation of Ireland, so the Irish turned it into an approximately three foot long walking stick.
For the true Blackthorn walking sticks, the knob at the end is actually the root of the bush, which could therefore deliver a decisive blow. Also, the bark on the stick is not removed so it remains sturdy. A metal ferrule is quite often placed on the tip. Traditionally, the Blackthorn walking stick would be placed in a pile of manure or smeared with butter to prevent the wood from splitting while it underwent the drying process, which often involved placing the stick in a chimney to cure. Carrying a shillelagh was considered a rite of passage for young men in rural Ireland, and they practiced sparring with it regularly to hone their skills. Throughout the famines of the 1840s, fighting among various clans or political groups was very common, especially at fairs and feast days and the shillelagh was the weapon of choice. Fights with shillelaghs were also sporting events. Although they are extremely prized, authentic Blackthorn walking sticks are not easy to find. Of course, this is because they are grown from the Blackthorn bush and not manufactured. Recently, faux Blackthorn walking sticks have been constructed, often from polypropylene, using an authentic Blackthorn as a model. The Blackthorn bush is also known as the European spiny plum. It is quite slow growing and has extremely hard wood and small, white flowers. The wood is close-grained, and the branches are covered with sharp spines when grown from the trunk of the bush. There are typically many knots in the wood, and the bark is a deep reddish-black. The bush itself is actually a close relative of cherries and plums. It grows up to four meters high, and is often found in the wild in hedgerows, on rough farmland, or on the edges of wooded areas. It is deciduous, meaning that it sheds and grows new leaves each year. It can take three years to construct an authentic Blackthorn walking stick from the time the branch is cut. Cutting can only occur during a few weeks in mid-winter and then the sticks need to be seasoned for two years before they can finally be straightened. Only then can they be sanded and polished. The Blackthorn walking stick is a genuine piece of Irish history. These strong, sturdy walking sticks will last for decades and are beautiful, functional and meticulously crafted. The premium quality of a natural Irish Blackthorn walking stick is a great conversation piece, too.
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