Cold Steel Shillelagh? Thoughts on it?

Tuff

Tuff

Joined
Jun 15, 1999
Messages
981
Ok, so it isn't really a knife, but I was wondering if anyone has experiences with these. I'm Irish, and thought of getting one as a colector basically. But are theyin good shape, or do they fall apart by merely touching them?
 
I was wondering the same thing - $75 bucks for a Ugly Stick is a bit much. The thing better be able to due some serious thumping!

------------------
I mean, if I went around saying I was an Emperor because some
moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, people would put me away!


 
I have a walking stick made from the same wood.(Prunus Spinosa methinks) or Irish Blackthorn as it is commonly known. This is one seriously TOUGH wood. I have taken this stick and beat it rather brutally, took it across my knee and tried to break it and this stuff doesn't know when to quit. Or maybe I don't. Anyway, I think this would make a great club. It makes one hell for stout walking stick.



------------------
The choices we make dictates the life we lead.

 
Okay. I've gone and gotten mine out. Quite a thumper it appears. The root knob is about the size of a softball - BUT... Mine was delivered with two cracks on the head running perpendicular to the main shaft, and were filled in with a wood spackle. A little shrinkage and crack expansion since then. Not quite sure they are seasoned quite as long as claimed. No complaints as a possible user tho'. Shillelagh collection...A CS would be a good starter, but I would gravitate towards older, and then older examples to collect. Great idea !

AL
 
Though I havent't verified this personally, I am told these sticks can be obtained through medical supply stores. You know, wheel chairs, bed pans and Irish walking sticks. You might check it out and perhaps save some money. This option would also give you the opportunity to select your own stick.
 
Hmm, there's an idea Willie. What kind of store you talking about, a regular store or more like a hospital you mean?
 
A regular store that sells equipment like walkers, wheel chairs, canes, bedpans, ace bandages, etc.

[This message has been edited by Willie Boy (edited 13 August 1999).]
 
I had the same problem as Al, got mine and it had two big cracks in the head filled (rather poorly) with wood filler. I was really disappointed, sent it back and asked for one of better quality (without cracks). Got another one and it had the same problem (cracks in the top filled with wood filler). I called Cold Steel CS and the rep I spoke with said all their shillelagh's are like that! Really, really, really poor product. I sent it back and exchanged it for a Bush Ranger knife (which is an ok camp knife). My advice would be to NOT GET ONE OF COLD STEEL's SHILLELAGH'S. If you're looking for a quality Irish heirloom piece, this ain't it. And if you're looking for a "beating stick", this ain't it. Get a solid billy club or something. IMHO all you have to do is strike that shillelagh head wrong and it will crack even further/break off. I'm still looking for a "old-fashioned", good quality shillelagh and would be interested if anyone knows where to get one. The Cold Steel ones have got to be shillelagh's that were rejected in Ireland as junk!
 
Hey thanks Hoss. I have changed my mind now. Too bad they had to be junk, they looked neat.
 
That is really a pity about CS's sticks. Mine doesn't have any root knob cracks. So let me reiterate: If the stick's root knob has cracks in it, DON'T BUY IT or SEND IT BACK!! This really torques my nuts when a factory that is always running it's corporate suck about how superior their product is, sends out inferior merchandise. Is there NO truth in advertising?!
icon8.gif


------------------
The choices we make dictates the life we lead.

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 15 August 1999).]

[This message has been edited by misque (edited 15 August 1999).]
 
Another problem no one mentioned is that they come in varying lengths, and all of them are too short!

I handled a couple, and even though they were supposedly the same length, there was actually a 3" difference between them. On top of that, the taller one was only 36"! In order for that cane height to work I'd have to be 5'11". Argh. I tried calling Cold Steel about getting longer ones, and their answer was a flat "No".

If you're interested in superior fighting canes (unfortunately, not Irish ones) please check out www.canemasters.com/Default.htm the guy who owns it is a class act, and I love the canes of his I own.

Zog

[This message has been edited by Zog (edited 15 August 1999).]
 
I never get over being surprised people will pay good money for a stick. The woods near my house are full of sticks ... if you don't have any near you or you don't have a knife to cut yourself a stick with I'll cut some and mail them to you for $75 each ... I'll cut them any length you want -- custom cut sticks! Only $75! I'll dip the ends in linseed oil so they won't crack as they dry.

I have seen some sticks for sale at a local mountaineering store for about $95 but those had a hole drilled for a leather wrist thong. I guess that's the going rate ... if you want a leather thong on yours that'll be $20 extra.

Shipping not included.

-Cougar Allen :{)
 
A shillelagh is NOT a cane, its a short "club" designed (not by choice of the Irish) to be carried concealed under your coat. The story goes that the English outlawed the Irishman's "walking stick" because it could be used as a weapon, not doubt cracking many heads. My mom has her grandfathers original shillelagh from Ireland, its not just a stick, its very hard and very dense like some Irishmens' heads
wink.gif
A traditional shillelagh has a nice fist-sized knot on the end of it that will crack any skull, even some (but not many) that are Irish.
 
I dont have a Shillelagh but thought that I would add to this topic that I do have the CS Walk-About. Mine has a nice dark look to it. It is made of hickory, and as far as I can tell, no flaws at all. Bought mine at SMKW for $20. I just had knee surgery two weeks ago and it has really helped out...much easier than those damn crutches anyway. The brass tip on it was a bit to noisy and slick, so I took one of the rubber end's off a crutch and stuck it on the cane...
biggrin.gif




------------------
~Keith~

 
Ya, us Irish are thick-skulled, eh Hoss? Thanks for pointing that out. Guess that means we can take a beating.
 
hey i resemble that remark! my uncle Pat had a nice walking stick made out of the stuff; i don't know if he got it in county mayo or not, he had it for years and that's where most of my bloodline comes from. anyway when he died (he was 96 and couldn't remember all the different battles he was in but could still jog, play accordion, and recite old poetry), the stick mysteriously disappeared along with some other stuff. INSERT ancient irish curse here, there are a lot of them! your best bet is to use cocobolo or rock maple or even hickory; other than that go get a ticket and bring a shovel, dig up the blackthorn tree and look for its roots!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top