Or, for those who aren't Irish, they're a classy way to strike up an interesting conversation on historical stick fighting. This is because stick fighting offers seniors and those who use walking sticks as a form of self-defense utilizing the decorative walking canes they use every day.īlackthorn walking sticks and canes are a great way to carry on your Irish heritage. Those who continue to practice this art typically use a combination of bataireacht and Western martial arts forms.īataireacht is currently most popular in the U.S. However, few Irish families continue to pass down the training and tradition. These walking sticks were and are made from resilient woods such as blackthorn, holly, oak, hazel, and ash.īy the 20th century, bataireacht has mostly disappeared from common practice. To get around the policy, the Irish and Scottish began using bata, short for bataireacht, Gaelic for "stick fighting." However, it should be pointed out that bataireacht has existed as a form of Irish martial arts for centuries prior to its more modern use for self-defense. When the British controlled Ireland, the Irish weren't allowed to carry weapons. However, while the name of the walking stick itself may not be Irish, but the use of the blackthorn stick as a weapon certainly is. Although the shillelagh is thought to be Irish, according to Anthony Bluett, it was an English writer who coined the name for Irish walking sticks. Blackthorn, a resilient and hearty wood, has been used to make weapons for centuries because of its resistance to warping. Measures 37' overall 1 1/8' shaft diameter. Keep reading to learn some of the history behind these fascinating mobility aids and fashion statements.īlackthorn canes: made for more than just walkingĮlegant walking canes made from blackthorn, also known as shillelaghs, originate in Ireland and the British Isles. Settle any dispute you have like a true Irish gentleman with this replica Blackthorn Shillelagh Fighting Stick, only from United Cutlery. However, one of the most interesting decorative canes is perhaps the blackthorn walking stick. Up to 6.8 million Americans use assistive devices such as walking sticks and wooden canes every day.ĭecorative canes are classy pieces of history that go back thousands of years. Canes, especially decorative canes, aren't only for senior citizens either. These common incidents can be easily avoided by the use of a walking stick or cane. Keep in mind when ordering that the, length, knob size, and shape may vary drastically from product to product.Every 11 seconds in the United States, a senior is treated for a fall in the emergency room. Stamped with a green shamrock, this item makes the perfect gift or collector item as well as a great conversation piece. The Shillelagh was found to be an effective weapon stick thanks to the hearty, weighted mallet on one end and a slightly pointed tip on the other end perfect for self-defense. Since these weapon sticks come straight from the Blackthorn bush each one will be unique in shape and size ranging from 19 to 21 inches in length. Just as the Irish have done for years, these one of a kind walking sticks have been coated in a protective shiny black sealant that resembles the lime slack finish that was often applied and left to cure for months. Our Shillelaghs are made of only authentic Blackthorn, harvested and finish in Ireland. Irishman would use the dense wood of the Blackthorn bush to create a weapon that could be used to handle disputes and also to ward off any unwelcomed guests while tending their herds. An Irish tradition, the Shillelagh dates back thousands of years.
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