Question for walking stick/cane users

[burnse]

I'm 24, now, but I've had a knee problem that has been on and off since I was 15 years old (work accident). It makes it painful to walk now and then, and after reading through the fairly recent thread about carrying a stick, and it had me thinking that I should go ahead and do it. Sure, most often people imagine that older folks tend to be the majority of stick/cane users, and in these times, it's certainly true. However, I see no reason why a young man like myself shouldn't use one. I mean, walking sticks have a purpose, and I have a need, not to mention it's a perfectly legal means of defense that can not be taken by any law enforcement without a good reason.

Well, I remembered that I had a nice old blackthorn stick that I got when I was 16, so I went to dig it out. Turns out the thing isn't as nice as it used to be - There is a crack about 5 inches up from the bottom and too much or the wrong kind of pressure is going make the stick give and be useless, so I got to looking around, and I found this really nice Hazel stick (I assume it's Witch Hazel - a good, hard wood, I think).

I really like the look of this Hazel stick. It's from Lollysmith's website. My question is this: Does anyone have experience with a stick made from Hazel wood? I would like to know, although I don't have money right now (been rock bottom poor for a while, in fact). Just like to have a plan set.

In fact, if people have any firsthand opinions of Lollysmith, let me know.

I'm half-sorry for the long post. I just like to tell stories.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Get a standard Stock show cane and use it ! It will not raise many eyebrows. Use that Hazel one on the weekends. Stock canes are well built and tough as nails.

 

[Carl Levitian]

About a year and a half ago, a friend bought a blackthorn from Lollysmith and was quite pleased with it. He had nothing bad to say about the service. Looking at their site, they have some blackthorns with the offset handle that are nice, that I've thought about ordering. They call it the natural crosshead walking stick. I don't know about the hazel, but it sure does look nice.

Carl.

 

[karlsgunbunker]

I have a Bad Leg and I'm 6' 2" all of the canes I found seemed to short and just didn't seem to "Fit".
I ended up with one of these. 6' Wax Wood Staff.
http://budk.com/Ninja-Martial-Arts/6-Foot-Wax-Wood-Staff?
http://budk.com/Ninja-Martial-Arts/4-Foot-Wax-Wood-Staff?
and one of these cause they are easier to get in the car.
http://budk.com/Gifts-and-Gadgets/Wooden-Hiking-Stick?
unscrews into 3 pieces, very compact.

 

[106rr]

The Hazelwood staff has been a mainstay of the working man in Ireland. The Blackthorn is far more expensive. The hazelwood is normally wider than the blackthorn. It has been referred to as "a stout hazel" in literature. I am sure that it will serve you well. I personally use a blackthorn given to me by a friend for a bad knee. Mine had to be shortened. I have received compliments on it, usually from other Irish Americans.

 

[Berkley]

I bought a blackthorn from Lollysmith about a year ago and was pleased with their service and the stick. No reason to think the hazel would be any different.

 

[DeTerminator]

I purchased a blackthorn cane from Lollysmith a couple of years ago. I had no problems with service or the stick. It is very heavy duty.

Check out the search function and look up the posts and threads about canes. Lucks of good stuff to read!

~Kerry