Things You'll Need
Hawthorn tree
Stepladder
Gloves
Branch saw
Sharp knife
Sandpaper
Stain
Paintbrushes
Varnish
![...](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/clsd/getty/cache.gettyimages.com/dd52d9b161564449b917acecee03156c.jpg)
Shillelaghs, from the Gaelic meaning "oak club," traditionally come from England, according to the website Irish Culture and Customs. These hardwood battle clubs-cum-walking sticks made their way over to Ireland when England invaded. According to Mother Earth News, England banned weapons from Ireland. In revolt, the Irish adopted the shillelagh as a walking stick and secret resistance weapon. Create your own shillelagh to show your Irish pride or simply as a handy hiking stick.
Step 1
Find a hawthorn tree with many thick branches. Examine the tree until you see a branch that looks heavy and dense with the traditional gnarled straightness of a shillelagh. The branch should be tapered but strong-looking. If you can't find a hawthorn tree, look for oak, ash or holly. All of these woods are traditional.
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Step 2
Put up a stepladder and put on some gloves. You must handle hawthorn trees with care. All American species have thorns on them, as do many European species. Find a space between the thorns and grip it firmly.
Step 3
Saw through the branch with a branch saw, cutting at a particularly knobby section. Shillelaghs traditionally have a very bumpy, clubbed look.
Step 4
Saw away all of the thorns on your shillelagh branch. If necessary, saw it to length, as well. Your shillelagh should come up to your bellybutton.
Step 5
Hold your shillelagh down on a sturdy surface and slice through the bark with a sharp knife. Put the tip of the blade into the slice and peel away the bark.
Step 6
Set your shillelagh in a cool, dry place to dry for about three weeks. This strengthens the shillelagh by letting it become dry and very dense.
Step 7
Sand the shillelagh so the stumps from the thorns and the places you cut are rounded and smooth.
Step 8
Stain your shillelagh if desired. Dark cherry, black hawthorn and walnut are all appropriate choices. Let the stain dry overnight.
Step 9
Varnish your shillelagh with water-based weather sealer. Add about two coats with 2 hours of drying time between them.
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