The absolute pinnacle of fine craftsmanship. Period.
As a fine craftsman who cut gemstones for more than 30 years, I eventually got to the point where 100% of the work that flowed from me was of exceptionally high quality, not only because I knew that my name and my integrity were attached to that craftsmanship but, at a far more fundamental level, this was “me” I was putting out there, so it was impossible for me to even think of ever doing otherwise.
The same can be said of Mr. Declan Casey, proprietor of Casey’s Blackthorns (Ebay ID = caseysblackthornsireland), a gentleman whom, after several months of dialog through our Ebay inboxes and the purchase of two shillelaghs (walking sticks) for my fiancee and me, I know I can rightly call my friend, and do so proudly.
As I’m writing this review of the man and his work, I’m occasionally glancing up and over at the two magnificent pieces he’d personally crafted for us. Not only are they truly magnificent to behold, but they’re that and more, to simply hold! If you’re someone who enjoys backpacking or hiking, as I do, or someone whose knees occasionally need all the support they can get (as mine sometimes do), having a walking stick or cane under your power hand can be a real blessing, if not a necessity! So, imagine not only having one that you absolutely and positively know will never let you down, but having it be so visually stunning, as well, that everywhere you go, people you’ve never even met before stop you on the sidewalk to ask you “Where in the world did you ever find something like _that_?” — and then ask if you still remember where you got it, so _they_ can order one!
Mine has a stout, jet black lacquered shaft with a mirror finish on it that looks more like handblown Murano glass than wood, and a marled chestnut- and hazel-brown root ball on top, whose whorls of brown and blonde, dots and streaks of black and burgundy, and curvatures and polish are equal to those of any cabochon I’ve ever cut — and so perfectly filed, sanded and chamfered that no ripples or flat spots can be found (and yes, with my critical eye for line and curvature, I looked)! And my honey’s stick is a honey all to itself, with a more slender (but identically-finished) mirror black shaft and a far fairer-colored root ball handle that’s roughly the shape of a hen’s egg and about the size of a tennis ball, and features concentric smoke gray rings, streaks of reddish plum, chestnut and black naturally woven throughout the silky birch-toned Blackthorn wood grain.
There are average cars, and then there are the Ferraris and Maseratis of the world... there are average diamonds, and then there are those like the one that was in Elizabeth Taylor’s ring... and there are average Blackthorn shillelaghs (that a quick search of Ebay will reveal), and then there are those by Declan Casey. Simply without equal!
And no, I’m not exaggerating: he really _is_ that good at what he does, and there really _is_ that much difference between his creations and everybody else’s. In fact, the differences are blatantly obvious to even an untrained eye at 15-20 paces.
So, as I see it, if you’re thinking of buying a shillelagh, it all really comes down to just one simple question:
“How much quality do I deserve?”
If you decide that you deserve to own the very best there is, then don’t mess around with second-rate merchandise; order from caseysblackthornsireland!!! Yes, you may have to wait a little while longer for the Master to handcraft your for you, but that’s a wait for which you will be well compensated for your investment and patience, the moment that long, padded parcel from Ireland arrives at your front door...
And yes, you’ll be VERY glad you took my advice!!!
Verified purchase: Yes