Customer Reviews

Cold Steel Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick with Polypropylene, 37-Inch

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I own the 'Cold Steel' African Walking Stick and was so impressed with it that I finally broke down and decided to buy the Blackthorn and add it to my collection. So far I'm in love with it.

The stick is solid state and easy to carry. The knobbed handle has a peculiar shaped lip recess where the faux wooden top attaches to the shaft but this allows for one to comfortably wrap his fingers around it and maintain a firm grip. I find the stick attractive and only when examined up close can one tell it is not real wood.

As soon as the stick arrived, I went to the local drug store and bought a 1" rubber cane tip which fit perfectly. I then took the stick with me for a 10 mile test walk. I wear fingerless, padded gloves when walking and noted no discomfort to the palm or wrist from the stick while using it for weight bearing. It was light enough to carry tucked under my arm as well.

The stick seemed well capable of being used as a defense tool while still keeping a good balance of comfort and fashion. My impression so far is that it is a very nice walking stick and I would highly recommend it. Don't be fooled by the light weight and plastic feel of this material.

Negatives:
1) Does not come with a rubber tipped end. The plastic tip can be a bit slippery on smooth surfaces. (Highly suggest you grab a 1" tip from the drug store, usually come in a box of 2 for $3-$4.)
2) Only comes in one size as far as I am aware.
3) I suspect it might warp if stored in an extremely hot vehicle, though I have no proof of this.

Positives:
1) Nice looking stick. Has that authentic Blackthorn appearance.
2) Polypropylene construction makes it nearly indestructible. Aside from scratches or extreme heat, should last forever.
3) Well balanced and "ridged" along the shaft for good grip and combat useage.

Overall:
Two thumbs up. I love the stick and have no regrets about buying it. Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick, Polypropylene, 37 in.

I have a back problem that sometimes requires me to use a cane for balance, and I also like to have a hiking stick with me when I go for long walks at night. I purchased this lately since I was a fan of the Cold Steel African walking stick, but preferred the blackthorn style. It's a very nice look stick/cane. It has a great feel to it, and is actually more practical than a real blackthorn stick which can splinter or still has the sharp thorns on it.

The lip on the knob of the stick makes for a great grip. The downfall is the plastic wood that is also used on the root. It's the same type of wood used for the wood trim in a car, and can crack easily if dropped. I think the company would have been much better off to use the same polypropylene that is used for the shaft of the stick, only in brown for the root. It would still look just as authentic, but have a better durability.

The plastic "wood" and lack of a rubber tip (which I was easily able to purchase at a drug store) loose the blackthorn some points.

I had concerns that this stick might look too plastic, but actually you have to get really close to it to identify it as a replica. It looks very much like my authentic Blackthorn stick from all but a very close distance.

This is a very sturdy walking stick. I am 6'2" and 275 lbs. and this stick is plenty sturdy enough for me. It draws a lot of looks. I feel confident that it could be used as an efffective club should the need arise.

I own two of the "real things" when it comes to these walking sticks, but as I do not want them damaged (they are in a collection of walking sticks I have), I bought this one for practical everyday use. I do a lot of walking and to be honest, in this day and age I do not leave home with out it. Not only do I enjoy using a walking stick while walking (go figure, huh), but some of the off trails I walk certainly need the extra support this one gives. Do not be fooled by the material; this one makes a great defensive weapon. Being female in this day and age, you are out of your mind if you trail walk with out some sort of defensive weapon (I have found this stick along with a can of pepper mace gives me a very secure feeling, or at least a sense of security...never let your guard down). This stick is stout, looks good, feels good in the hand and is a comfort. Like another reviewer here, I do recommend you purchase rubber tips for your stick though as you will find you deed the added traction of smooth surfaces. These can be purchased in just about any drug store and last quite a long time. Thank goodness I have not had to use this one yet as a defensive tool, but using it in practice I have no doubt it could lay a person out quite quickly. I very much recommend this one.

I am disabled and need to use a cane for support... I bought this as I though it would serve that purpose as well as for self-defense if the need arose... For me it works fine... The grip is comfortable and it's VERY sturdy and supportive for my needs, more so than the Cold Steel "City Walk" cane I also own...
I can however see where someone with small hands would find it hard to grip as it is large on the end but again, for me it wasn't a issue...

Knob too big for medium sized hands.First time out,I dropped it,and the fake "wood" chipped big time.
After removing the fake wood,and sanding it back into a slightly smaller rounded shape,it fit and functioned MUCH better.
Better to leave off the fake car dashboard wood,and make the knob out of the same material the rest of the stick is made in[in a size that fits an average man's hand-and at a lower price].

Use it everyday.Added a 1 inch cane tip to blend it in better and cut the noise down while walking. Also makes it grab the ground better.Still works great on dogs.

I was very excited about ordering this walking stick. I have Irish blood and the story behind it interested me (see [...]) It arrived quickly and looks just like the picture but the walking stick is a disappointment. It is far too bulky (it could be a third or half as wide and be very functional) and the grip is not very comfortable at all (as noted in other reviews). Plus the first time I touched it to our laminate floors, it was like I was on an ice rink. No rubber non-sliding tip. So it's bulkier than I imagined it, it's my own fault for ordering it, but I assumed that it would be more serviceable. Sure it would be a great defensive weapon but it's not so comfortable for a disabled man to use day to day to get around with. I am going to buy a rubber tip for it and give it some more time. I won't return it because, as I said, I like the background on it. I even bought one for my dad based on the origin of the stick... [...]. Cool concept, not so great product.

I finally got my synthetic Irish Blackthorn Walking Stick from Cold Steel. As I suspected, it's heavier and slightly more flexible than hardwood. The flexibility gives it a little shock absorbency which may be fine for a walking stick but not so good for smacking ne'er do wells. Hard wood can actually act somewhat like a tuning fork and transmit a lot of shock when striking bones.

I knew it was larger than a wooden stick but didn't realize how much larger. The head is almost too big for my hands. Someone with smaller hands would have a difficult time using this as a walking stick. The shaft is quite large in diameter which makes the stick even heavier. It feels more like a baseball bat than a walking stick.

The texture is good and the bumps that represent where the thorns would be on a natural blackthorn provide good grip without being sharp. The artificial wood head doesn't look bad at all.

The Blackthorn is plenty sturdy enough to use as a walking stick and it's also the correct length for me. A rubber crutch tip will protect the end and also keep it from slipping on hard floors. It will serve well enough to keep stray dogs at bay. I don't think it will replace my old wooden cane for walking, though. It was less than half the price of a natural blackthorn and the real thing is becoming less available and lower in quality when it can be found.

I'd give these people more stars if I could,the cane came extremely fast and in good condition,the only downside is that the black part scratches easily but its nothing a sanding and a coat of better paint and varnish can't fix. I am very pleased with this purchase.