A traditional and very highly regarded country walking stick. The rich reddish-brown color of the blackthorn bark is as distinctive as it is appealing. Grown from coppiced wood, blackthorn is an extremely thorny plant capable of inflicting poisoning on the forester if not correctly handled when cutting the sticks. However, the finished product is much admired for its knobbly, rustic appearance. Finished with a metal ferrule, the approximate height of these unique walking sticks is 36-37 inches tall. Blackthorn is a sought-after wood for walking sticks, prized for its rich color and the characterful appearance caused by its spiny thorns. Emotionally associated with Ireland, there is much folklore connected with blackthorn. The patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, once sheltered from the rain under a blackthorn bush. It promptly flowered to protect the Saint, which is said to be why the blackthorn flowers before it comes into leaf each spring. Demand each year invariably exceeds supply, with natural knobs ticks and thumbs sticks allocated to a waiting list in most years. However, the blackthorn derby and pistol grips are usually available in limited quantities and are popular wherever blackthorn has appeal.
The Siceloff Companies
