Our hazel walking sticks are lighter and smoother than blackthorn, but still properly strong. Every one is cut in winter and made by hand in Ireland by Aidan and his partners, and each one works as a hazel shillelagh or an everyday walking stick.
Trusted by the Doyle System of Bataireacht
Our sticks are endorsed by Bernard Leddy, the world-renowned fighter and chief of the Doyle system of bataireacht, Ireland's traditional art of stick fighting. Members of his club come to us regularly for their sticks, and hazel is sometimes their wood of choice. When a stick is trusted for fighting, you can be sure it will handle a walk.
Where It Started
Aidan grew up on a farm, picking hazelnuts every autumn. He'd cut himself a piece of hazel and carry it around the farm as his own little shillelagh. That fondness for hazel never left him, and it's a big part of why we still make so many of these sticks today.
Smooth, Light and Strong
Hazel has no thorns, so the shaft is smooth and easy on the hand. It's noticeably lighter than blackthorn, which makes it a good choice for long walks, but it's still a tough, springy wood. We make our hazel sticks in a few styles:
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Knob handle: the traditional shillelagh shape
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L handle: a natural walking grip
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Two-piece: a hazel shaft fitted with a handle in a different wood
Blackthorn for Him, Hazel for Her?
Couples who visit us by appointment at our Dublin warehouse often go home with one of each: a blackthorn for him and a hazel for her. It isn't a rule, but the lighter weight and smoother feel of hazel win a lot of people over once they hold one.
Hazel Walking Stick FAQs
Is hazel strong enough for a walking stick?
Yes. Hazel is lighter than blackthorn but still strong and springy. Members of Bernard Leddy's Doyle bataireacht club sometimes choose hazel for their fighting sticks, so it will easily handle everyday walking and hiking.
Who makes your hazel shillelaghs?
Aidan and his partners, a small group of Irish makers. Our sticks are endorsed by Bernard Leddy, chief of the Doyle system of bataireacht, and his club members come to us for their sticks.
What's the difference between a hazel shillelagh and a blackthorn shillelagh?
Hazel is lighter, paler and smooth, with no thorns. Blackthorn is heavier and darker, with knuckles and a reddish-purple tint in the bark. Many people choose hazel for walking and blackthorn for the traditional shillelagh look.
What handle styles do your hazel sticks come in?
Knob handles, L
