Authentic Irish blackthorn walking sticks have made their way to the United States for sale to proud Irishmen living here. Each year, thousands, indeed, tens of thousands of these fine walking sticks make it into the hands of their final customers.

The tradition of handcrafting fine Irish blackthorn walking sticks is still practiced by stick farmers throughout various places in Ireland. These artisan farmers still go through the meticulous process of perfecting the walking sticks.

This year’s crop of walking sticks were harvested last year. The sticks are cut perfectly, to have an even knobbing pattern the length of the stick. When collected, a portion of the root or rootball is collected as well, to provide for a traditional root style handle. These range from the \”doorknob\” style to the traditional cane handle. Most handles sport a thirty degree handle off the main portion of the cane.

Once gathered and cleaned, these Irish blackthorn walking sticks are trimmed leaving a portion of the knob, then dried through the winter. This process hardens the stick, and helps prepare it for its final form as an Irish blackthorn walking stick.

Once seasoned and dried, the walking stick has a metal ferrule attached to the tip to reinforce it for walking. Any final trimming is done. The stick is then hand painted a deep black color for the cane part. Once dried, the stick receives a final finish giving it the handsome shine. The shellac finish allows for easy touch up and maintenance for the life of the stick.

During the drying process, small characteristic cracks and other individualities appear on the stick, especially on the root handle. This is completely normal. Each stick is inspected and graded to make sure its hardness, structure, and appearance meet the artisan’s requirements.

The sticks that are gathered are approximately thirty five to thirty seven inches in length. The sticks once dried are packaged in newspaper and prepared for shipping to the United States. The sticks are usually sent via sea freight and arrive in ports such as New York. Authentic Irish Blackthorn walking stick suppliers such as www.IrishBlackthornWalkingStick.com receive these sticks and distribute throughout the United States, and in some cases internationally.

If you are shopping for a gift, or because you want a personal piece of Irish Culture and Irish Heritage, the Irish Blackthorn walking stick makes a great item. If you are looking for a cane or walking stick for full time walking assistance, then perhaps an Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick is right for you as well. Also, it makes a great Father’s day holiday gift for any proud Irish man.

At www.IrishBlackthornwalkingstick.com we provide world wide service and excellence for these walking sticks. We typically keep about one thousand plus sticks in stock. Enjoy an Irish Blackthorn walking stick for regular use, display, or to establish a family heirloom that can be passed down generation to generation and become a proud part of your irish and celtic heritage.

Jeffrey Stine is the owner/founder of http://www.irishblackthornwalkingstick.com

Jeffrey Stine is the owner/founder of http://www.irishblackthornwalkingstick.com

Author Bio: Jeffrey Stine is the owner/founder of http://www.irishblackthornwalkingstick.com

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: irish blackthorn walking stick, shillelagh, irish blackthorn walking sticks