Irish Shilleaghs. AKA fighting sticks.

[ohiofarmer 3,314]

 The history of the shillelagh is when the Brits conquered the Irish. The people were prohibited from carrying weapons and the home made stick canes made from blackthorn bushes became the go to defense tool.

    After back surgery and limited recovery, I noticed that I was using tree trimmings for support while cleaning up cut brush. I decided to peel the bark off and experiment with the leftovers,and gradually some sort of skill set developed. The early ones had massive shrink cracks, and would not take stain or finish well. But I pretty much have that behind me.

  My latest stick canes have a very deep finish that is clear coated with water based polyurethane . I need to try linseed oil as well.

   Here's a picture of a roughed out blank with a substantial head basher potential.

[ohiofarmer 3,314]

The stick laid on the ground for a time as they must to keep from cracking. The worms got in under the bark, which is a cool thing to me. They left tunnels behind. The bark is stripped at this point, but another layer remains in spots the worms were active

[ohiofarmer 3,314]

Here is the head after being through the radial arm saw to rough shape. The bark came off pretty nice 

[ohiofarmer 3,314]

As you can see, the worms had a little fun under the bark The shaft of the cane has had it first chemical sanding as well as taking a bit if color. I applied varnish to the ends to prevent checking. 

    When you view the big end head on, it is the shape of a rattlesnake head . I'm going to contact a friend to see if he will carve the face of a rattlesnake on it 

     It's coming along with deep coloring treatment and sanding through the stuff to highlight the worm damage. I found that the worm tunnels can be left in the white or if they turn black, sand around them for a photo negative effect.

    That's all for now

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2024 by ohiofarmer

[ebinmaine 69,707]

Part of Trina's history in martial arts is weapons training. 

She's had teaching on quite a few different pieces.  

 

Her favorite is the "Bow"... A stick that's made a very particular way. 

 

A few years ago she decided to whittle down an old stick at the campfire one night. 

Then another... and another over the years. 

 

Hers aren't made in the traditional manner but can be used as such. 

 

They are to the untrained eye, walking sticks. 

[8ntruck 7,256]

Our current dog is a Sheltie/American Staffordshire Terrier mix.  We've had several 'incidents' witl loose dogs when out taking walks over the years.  Something about him just seams to put a challenge out to other dogs.

 

Been thinking about starting to carry a 'walking stick' of some sort while walking the dog.

 

While working on our property in Ky last week, I noticed a small ironwood tree that would have good potential for use as a 'walking stick'.

[ebinmaine 69,707]

Just now, 8ntruck said:

Our current dog is a Sheltie/American Staffordshire Terrier mix.  We've had several 'incidents' witl loose dogs when out taking walks over the years.  Something about him just seams to put a challenge out to other dogs.

 

Been thinking about starting to carry a 'walking stick' of some sort while walking the dog.

 

While working on our property in Ky last week, I noticed a small ironwood tree that would have good potential for use as a 'walking stick'.

 

 

In principle I agree. 

But in reality.... seriously... a stick may or may not be the solution...

 

I've considered a cattle prod ⚡️⚡️⚡️ and other things. In the end we just leave our pup home. 

 

[8ntruck 7,256]

  In one incident, I happened to be carrying a stick.  While the 2 dogs were tussling, I was whacking the loose dog in the ribs with the stick.  I kind of wondered why it had not broken off.  Then I noticed that my dog had a hold of its ear.  When he released the ear, the loose dog ran off to a 'safe' distance and stood there looking at us with what I translated as a "well, that didn't work out like I planned" look.  That dog has not bothered us since.

[oliver2-44 10,073]

2 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

While working on our property in Ky last week, I noticed a small ironwood tree that would have good potential for use as a 'walking stick'.

Ironwood needs to be worked green.   We have what I call iron wood trees, that have the green "Horse Apples" on them.

I've cut a few limbs for new post and they last forever. 

At the farm an old old fence has iron wood post Now that their 40-50 years old you can't even begin to drive a staple in them. 

They also seem to push the staple out as they dry. We just use wire to keep the barbed wire attached to the old post.  

 

 

[ohiofarmer 3,314]

This egg shaped head is the more traditional shape of a shillaligh. It's harder to find the bush or tree that permits harvesting. This happens to be from an evergreen and is walking stick length . The reason I think sticks make such good canes is that leaving each one in it's natural shape means all the fibers of the plant are lined up straight and they can be very strong for their size and weight..

   The ones that are bent do flex somewhat.  Also the taper saves wright with even a taper to 5/8th at the top being plenty strong.

  As you can see, patience can produce a very dark finish ,but I like to sand or even wet sand through at places because the layer just beneath the grainy living layer can produce a glowing golden layer that looks amazing in the sun. Not all these canes are usable shapes, but even the wildly bent ones can be made into cudgels. My wife's metal cane is on the right for size reference

    The Blackthorn ones from Ireland have an asking price of more than a hundred dollars .  Pretty stiff money for a crude one with the bark left on.

    We were at a family reunion a few weeks ago and a cousin really liked what I had. She wants a nicely finished mushroom stick tall enough to rest her chin on to keep her head perfectly still. Those are easy.

    I usually let the T handle ones too long on the handle as they may crack or check at the end. They get cut down after they dry out slowly.

[SylvanLakeWH 26,586]

Somewhat on topic, many of you may know that Michigan's upper peninsula (The UP) is populated with "Yoopers"... We lower peninsula types are affectionately known as "Trolls"... you know, under / below the Bridge (as in Mackinac Bridge)...

 

Anywho... if you were to go up Nord to da UP eh, you'd be able to buy a "Yard Stick" in many souvenir shops...( they charge more for folks who aren't at least trolls, you know, from south of Michigan...) 

 

The label is attached to any twig you find in the UP and it automatically assumes value as an authentic genuine UP Yard Stick... 

 

 

 

 

[adsm08 2,383]

45 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Somewhat on topic, many of you may know that Michigan's upper peninsula (The UP) is populated with "Yoopers"... We lower peninsula types are affectionately known as "Trolls"... you know, under / below the Bridge (as in Mackinac Bridge)...

 

Anywho... if you were to go up Nord to da UP eh, you'd be able to buy a "Yard Stick" in many souvenir shops...( they charge more for folks who aren't at least trolls, you know, from south of Michigan...) 

 

The label is attached to any twig you find in the UP and it automatically assumes value as an authentic genuine UP Yard Stick... 

 

 

 

 

 

Know any buckless yoopers?