The Shillelagh Makers Handbook (Bataireacht Shillelagh Irish Stick-Fighting Series 4) Kindle Edition

I would have liked more pictures with dimensions of the various shillelaghs; especially in regards to the oval cross-sectioned clubs described. However, the process for finding, cutting, curing, shaping, oiling, waxing/polishing the shillelaghs is quite thoroughly described and easy to follow.

There are two reasons to read this book. I had really wanted to make one, or several, and had some experience making staffs for walking or display. The book will teach you what you want to look for in raw wood stock and how to go about, stage by stage, making a nice looking shillelagh. The second reason to read this book is to learn some history about shillelaghs as a weapon. Some heads were knocked over the course of history and it was a formidable weapon in the hands of a skilled shillelagh wielder. Very interesting stuff. Make one.

John Hurley offers a comprehensive overview of the Irish fighting stick, with emphasis on its construction. The sticks' fit with Irish agrarian society and folklore is also touched upon. For today's United States where one doesn't want to add to gun violence but would like a bit of an equalizer in dealing with intruders or muggers, the shillelagh, with a bit of training offers a puzzling and decisive advantage to the good guy. We old guys can sometimes even get on a plane with one! If not, they're fine in checked baggage.

I just finished reading this handbook and have to give it five stars. It goes through the processes of making cudgels (shillelagh) and the variety of finishes and accessories it can incorporate.Very well researched, easy to understand, with modern alternatives to historical methods provided. Highly recommended to anyone wanting to make a well preserved, flexible and tough staff or stick.I also liked the weblinks provided at the back of the book for learning more on this topic.Very well done. Time to get busy applying the techiques!

This book explains it all and even the part about the chimney. You just don't take a stick and call it a shillelagh. It explains when to harvest and the 3 year process that gives it the classic look, feel and why it doesn't crack when used. The only problem is that they don't grow where I live so I can't make one. If you are Irish or want to be this is a great book on the history of the shillelagh that was outlawed by the English and then became the "Irish walking stick" ((Grin-Grin))

Short but informative book. I wish it was longer with more details and illustrations. Can't wait to try it myself.

Quick read. I want to read it again to see what I missed the first time through. Very interesting read.

Excellent history of the Shillelagh. I'm of Irish (and Scottish) descent and always wondered as a child about the various sticks my relatives carried. Now I know, to coin a phrase, "The Rest of the Story".

Short but informative advice on making a Shillelagh which works well with other stick making books and the authors' own books.

Very helpful tips which I can not wait to put into practice! Minus the horse dung! An absolute pleasure to read!

Book is 9x6 inches with 39 pages giving history of, process in making them so you can create your own and some black and white photos. Was a gift and recipient was quite happy with it.

It’s not an instruction manual but it was very interesting read, I now know exactly what a Shillelagh is.

Great little book which for the size of it contained plenty of sound advice and instructions you probably can’t get elsewhere.