Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials, Finish
Cons: None
Gorgeous, tough, and dynamic (story included)
Short Answer: This item is nearly perfectly crafted, but there is a small hint of the molding lines left over. It was easily tackled with some 400 grit sandpaper and light pressure; So I don't fault the item for that. At this price, and for what you're getting, tiny flaws are fine. The shaft near the top is free from thorns and has an oblong shape that fits the hand perfectly. A 7/8" cane tip fits snug and stays put on the tip. I prefer the Soft Touch furniture feet over standard cane tips because they work well both on and off road because of their unique shape. The shiny ball-like head of the staff is a dense plastic shell and can be removed or replaced with something else. (I was considering a solid ball of polished copper) With repeated strikes on hard surfaces, it will crack, but for everyday drops and self defense, it most certainly will not. It is meant to be attractive while giving the momentum of the staff a more dense surface in which to deliver its blow. I was enamored with this item before I gave it away this morning (story below) and will soon be ordering another. This is a solid 5-star item.Long Answer: I care for the elderly and disabled for a living. Quite often when I drop off one particular 73 year old marine veteran client, I see a young black man in the apartment complex with a long beard, bath robe, and a walking stick that looked like he plucked it from the woods. We exchange brief pleasantries as we pass and he always has a smile on his face. Sometimes, we would see him just laying in the grass shirtless; Other times, he would just be gazing at the sky.A month ago, after we passed him, my client said "That is one weird dude." I snapped back with "What's wrong with being weird? I'm weird. (air quotes) "Normal" people are boring." He chuckled and said "Well ya got me there." He's a weird guy himself and just doesn't know it. Half the time we go to the grocery store, he wears a sleeveless shirt and flexes for the cashier. He is not in shape.Anyways, I am one of those people who loves to give away useful trinkets on a regular basis. I'll usually keep an extra waterproof key chain flashlight whose battery lasts a minimum of 6 hours in my pocket to give away. Gerber EAB pocket knives make amazing impromptu gifts as well. Anything that I personally find useful every day. Also, I live in a semi rural area where dog attacks are common and every year at least one person gets mauled on the limbs or face. Everyone carries a stick or a club for this purpose; I have been relying on my umbrella and my handgun; Neither of which are ideal for close quarters animal combat and I have narrowly escaped a couple of times. I went shopping online for a good tough walking stick for that purpose.I ordered two Cold Steel African Walking Sticks, intending to give one to my nameless acquaintance above and use the other for my walks. I also ordered the Cold Steel Blackthorn Walking Staff at the same time for camping trips or pack-laden hikes. Both items exceeded my expectations and I was chomping at the bit to present one of them to this guy. While passing by the area multiple times over the last weeks, I have stopped and taken a walk around the area to look for him. I kept an African stick and the Blackthorn staff in my truck, just in case I found him. I was gonna give him a choice on which one would be better for his purpose. Yesterday, I got his name from a neighbor and today, I caught him to gift the item.I think he was a little apprehensive about a relative stranger walking up to him with a mace in each hand, but as soon as I explained the purpose and handed him one, an insanely wide smile crept across his face and he could no longer hide his excitement. I sat with him for almost an hour, talking about the history and origins of blackthorn as well as the Irish shillelagh. We went into detail about the knobkerrie/Iwisa and its use as a weapon during war and as a swagger stick during times of peace. However, the whole time, he seemed extremely indecisive about which one to pick. "The staff fits my needs and is perfect for my height, but I gotta love the history behind the Iwisa and I'd love to decorate it... Man, this is a really hard choice."After a few minutes of him silently scratching his beard in thought, I said "I'll tell you what. What don't you take them both. (his eyes got wide and his smile crept back ear to ear) I have another African Walking Stick at home and I'll get another staff." Without thought, both of his hands started creeping towards the sticks as he said "Are you sure?" I smiled and handed them both over. I gave him a 1 1/8" Soft Touch furniture foot for the African tip, but I didn't have any 7/8" ones for the staff; So I ordered them and will give it tomorrow. When I passed back by the area later, he was proudly strutting around with the 59" Blackthorn staff and he flashed me a huge smile and nod. We are now on a first name basis and the experience jazzed me up for the day. Everyone is anxious and on edge because of this election nonsense, but I'm on cloud nine. We can all take a cue from my black wizard buddy: Take a walk, get some sun, smile and relax. Life is beautiful and politics is ugly.
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