Irish Blackthorn 1, dogs 0...

[DeTerminator]

I faced a need to use my Irish Blackthorn early this morning, and I'm glad that I had it with me.

I bought the blackthorn 3-4 years ago, when I started to need a cane and saw the posts on this forum (Carl L, thanks!). I had trashed my hip joints over the years carrying the strength training to extremes, and 35 years of hard workouts did me in, along with inheriting bad genes. I had to have both hip joints replaced over the past year, though a measly 54 years of age! I'm doing pretty good these days, and don't need to use a cane, but I take it along on my daily walk. I walk at night and early morning hours these days, and go for a bike ride during the day.

I started out at 2:07 AM, and was walking past a residence when two large dogs started barking and took me totally by surprised. They had come out of a garage that was obscured by a large pickup truck, barking their fool heads off and coming toward me fast. The seedy owner was in the garage doing who knows what at that hour. The type that cuts their lawn once or twice a year, and doesn't care much for snow shovelling, either. I'd seen the dogs on prior occasions, and they were at least 50 lbs., dark brown, and appeared to be some type of hound. I turned toward them with my stick out, waiting for one to close in. Sure enough, one got within range fast. I extended the stick to jab at it, and made light contact with it. A light prodding made it back off. The owner came out fast to call them off. I heard him say a few words, but couldn't make out everything he said since I had my Walkman playing. I heard, "stick," "bit," and "will". I think he might have said something like I would have got bit if I didn't have the stick. The whole episode was over in about 10 seconds.

I turned without saying a word- the stick did my talking, and I continued on my walk. I need to do a search here on pepper spray, me thinks, and get some. I feel like I need another layer of protection.

The Irish Blackthorn...my favorite stick. I used to really like my Canemaster and Enasco canes a whole lot when I needed to actually put weight on them, and the blackthorn took a back seat due to the angle of the handle (30degrees, and rough for weight bearing on extended walks), but, yeah, the blackthorn is my current favorite.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Funny thing that I have noticed about dogs. Most of them have been hit with something before and if cock your stick they get the point and back down. I can't even practice the basics around my little house dog without making her cringe. I have never hit that dog with anything.

 

[conw]

Owen, that tends to be true, but there is a subset of dogs that are either trained to, or naturally will, get REALLY PO'D at having something waved at them. Just something to think about when it comes to posturing toward doggies.

 

[Owen Sparks]

The best thing about 'posturing' is that if the dog does not stop you already have your stick cocked back and ready to swing. Works every time.

 

[armoredman]

Hmm, makes me wonder, (stupid idea, I'm sure), about a pepper spray unit built in to a walking stick? Just a thought, sure somebody has done it.

 

[SleazyRider]

I've been thinking about getting a Blackthorn, and your post has convinced me to do so. I too enjoy a walk around the block each day under similar circumstances.

Currently I carry a sjambok, a 40-inch long flexible cattle prod of sorts (that some consider a symbol of apartheid). It'll put the hurtin' on almost any animal. It's too flexible, however, to use as a walking stick so I've been considering a Blackthorn.

 

[DeTerminator]

I have a sjambok too, an authentic hippo hide, but

I would highly recommend the blackthorn...I got mine from Lollysmith. Make sure that the handle will best suit your needs. Get the proper length, too. I suggest a slightly longer length for your height...like, a bit over half your height. I am six feet, but I love my 38.5 inch stick. Some have a ball at the end, some a slight angle. If you need to put a lot of weight on it, go with the ball or a somewhat 90 degree angle. I usually carry my 30 degree angle handle stick horizontally when I walk, unless I see a car coming up, and tip it a little or let it touch the ground a few times. It comes in handy going up and down curbs, or going up and down slight grades.

The stick will be the better of the two, depending on your situation, just my opinion. It can shove things, like dogs or people, away from you, and a sjambok can't do that. It can wack things to the side of the road or off your path, but maybe a sjambok can do that, too.

 

[DeTerminator]

Interesting observation, Owen...

I barely had to touch the thing before it backed off. I'm sure that it's owner smacked it a few times before. I was ready to haul off on it, but luckily didn't need to. I'm glad it didn't amount to more than what it did. I'll certainly not pass that place too close without further scrutiny, or on the other side of the street.

 

[SleazyRider]

What about weight?

Are these Blackthorns heavy, DeTerminator, I mean to the point that they become burdensome to carry after 3 or 4 miles?

 

[1KPerDay]

The seedy owner was in the garage doing who knows what at that hour.

Maybe he was fixin' to go for a walk.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Sufficent mass is CRITICAL for the transfer of energy.

 

[BullRunBear]

Like you, I always have my stick with me on a walk. Haven't needed it for dogs so far (and there is always the Ruger in my pocket) but it has seen me through several injuries over the years. I carry it now "just in case". It's a straight, knob head stick and I think it is made from English Chestnut. It has a screw point under the rubber tip and that has come in handy during icy situations.

If you are going to get a walking stick, try to handle it before buying. At 6'5" I had a heck of a time finding one long enough. Mine will also support over 400 pounds without flexing. (Don't ask how I know.) If it has to support your full weight, I've found the knob head to be the best bet.

Now to see if a blackthorn will meet my needs. They look really neat and it would be nice to have an alternative.

Jeff

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Good Story and I love those Canes!

 

[DeTerminator]

No, not too heavy, SleazyRider,

Mine is about an inch and an eighth or so diameter at the base. It has a nice heft to it, but is easy to carry. I added a crutch tip to the end, and used black electrical tape to tape it up, so it appears all black. The crutch tip doesn't appear to wear at all, and adds some weight to the end for walloping, if needed.

It is easy to carry.

1KPerDay, I highly doubt this guy was motivated enough to take a walk, and cared enough about himself to do so. The guy didn't seem to care about keeping his yard up the way it was, much less himself.

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

amazing...you sound as if you live in my neighborhood! Always some jackwagon that brings down the whole neighborhood property values. And they always have loose, poorly behaved dogs. I found a little squirtgun filled w/ straight ammonia works wonders too.

 

[481]

I just picked up one from ColdSteel (I know, I know, everyone frowns on 'em as being cheap copies), but it is a heavy, authoritative stick. Nice to see that it can "deter" as well as "defend".

Thanks for the account, DeTerminator.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Amonia could do perminant damage to a dogs eyes. I have had good results with 91% Iso alcohol. This is not the cheap 70% rubbing alcohol but the type that diabetics use on a cotton ball to steralize the skin before they take a shot.
You can get it at Wally-World with a red label. It cost a little more but it is worth it. This stuff also works wonders on wasp nests and is a whole lot safer and cheaper than poison. We keep a pump spray bottle full for general purposes at home.

 

[DAdams]

I walk with a Komperdell aluminum hiking pole. Two when on the trail with a load. It will extend to almost five feet and retract to about 18 inches. It has a pretty mean carbide tip for trails. I usually keep the rubber tip on for street walks. I like the adjustable wrist strap which keeps it attached to me. Just a little light (happily at mile 8) but the adjustability makes it a versatile tool. I have used these for over ten years.

Trust me pepper spray turns a cur's attention to other matters very quickly. Rubbing eyes in nearest grass typically.

 

[DammitBoy]

My Dad used to regale my brothers and I with stories about barfights with those "damn army aircorp flyboys" and "damn navy taxi drivers" where he would use his Irish Blackthorn walking cane to great effect. He always swore it was the best self-defense weapon short of a 1911.

As a Marine on Guadalcanal, he brought back shrapnel in both knees and spent years learning how to walk again - hence the cane. Evidently he didn't need nearly as much time relearning how to fight dirty in a bar fight... since he and his buddies would sneak out of the hospital to go engage in the afore mentioned fights. lol

 

[hso]

Home-made dog sprays are not smart.
Pepper spray is more effective and far less likely to cause permanent harm and a pump sprayer is far less reliable under pressure than a pressurized aerosol can.

Use of solvents and household cleaners can permanently injure and their use could be considered animal cruelty. As you know illegal behavior is not tolerated at THR.

Use of improvised dog repellent is not as wise as purpose made products because of the unreliability of the chemicals and delivery systems therefore home-made dog repellents aren't a good choice for effectiveness.

If there were no commercial products that were both safe and effective there might be some reasonable argument for using ammonia or alcohol.

 

[dprice3844444]

cold steel sells blackthorns and sjamboks

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have loved my CS Blackthorn it is like a tank! Solid Brass Hame Heads will do the job too.

 

[hso]

cold steel sells blackthorns

No, they sell plastic blackthorn looking canes. They quit selling real blackthorn a while back.

 

[DeTerminator]

I think that the ColdSteel blackthorn would be up to the task for a walloping rod, but there's a lot to be said for an authentic wooden cane. I don't know what the material is that the ColdSteel version is made of, or, how it stacks up to linen micarta, and the other tough materials out there.

I just know that a wood stick has a personality. After lots of hours, and eventually years, of handling one, you get to know every bony protrusion on the thing.

A person could own and use the ColdSteel version to see how they like it, and base their experience with it to decide if it's the right length for them, and maybe consider owning the real deal.

 

[Piraticalbob]

I have one of the Cold Steel plastic Blackthorns. I found it a bit heavy for extended walking, especially given the large, ball-shaped head, which doesn't allow for a comfortable grip. Your hand tends to cramp up if you use it for walks of extended length. If it were half the thickness it currently is and had a tourist or Derby handle, it would be a much better cane for walking.