Tx-Bill
Texas

Nov 04, 2020

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.

El Guapo Mark
Tampa

Jun 27, 2026

Pros: Durability, Finish, Materials, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Everything you want is here.

I’m only 60, but I have a very mean type of arthritis, and have used a cane since I was 18. The 59" Blackthorn Staff Walking Stick is something that I had looked at for a long time before buying it, and it’s done a lot more for me than I had hoped. I use it mainly for walking around the property, and it’s been very helpful for me to stand up straight, which a regular cane can’t do. I started using it as high up on the staff as I could reach, and slowly, I’ve been able to adjust myself to a much more comfortable, and relaxed posture than I have had in years. The thorns on mine are proud, but not uncomfortable, they lend themselves as grips and work well for me. Knowing that the poly that it’s made of will not break unless you use an axe on it, lets me know I don’t have to worry about how much weight I put on it, and that’s something that gives you confidence using it as a tool to help you stand straighter when using. The head on the top is a little bit harder, and may break if you use it to strike something or someone who thinks you might be an easy target, but having it does give most people pause if they were thinking about that I’m sure. Using it on hard surfaces to walk with means you will have to get a good rubber tip for it, but that’s no big deal. It’s also a great stick if you go to Renaissance fairs, everyone loves it, and lots of people enjoy getting their pictures taken with the “ old man with the white beard “, so you will have people who want to ask about it, and play with it if you let them. For me, there’s no weight to it, yes it does have weight, but it’s just about what you would like it to be, not heavy, and not feather lite either. For me, it’s a good buy, it does what you want it to do, and it will start a conversation with people who haven’t seen anyone using a walking staff before. I like it.

Mountainjeff
Colorado

Aug 08, 2025

Pros: Durability, Finish, Materials, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Walk softly and ...

Impressive. Don't know what that knob is made of but pretty sure a skull would bust before it does. Kind of heavy, but very solid. They may have changed the mold or tightened up the QA/final finishing because the "thorns" are smooth and don't impede sliding the stick in your hand. In fact, they give good hand holds all along the stick. I give 5 stars for the product, especially at the price, but KC charged me $50 shipping! Usually oversized items cost ~$20, and if you have a couple "big" items not more than $30 extra. Since I was going to bite the bullet I added 2 sticks to my cart, and that pushed the shipping to $100! Never mind. Just got one, but adding a CS spike hatchet only raised the shipping by a buck. Go figure. Again, recommend the stick, maybe you can find it locally.

Tedebear
Calgary, AB

Dec 18, 2017

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials, Finish

Cons: None

Cold Steel 59 inch Blackthorn Walking stick

Use it to move on uneven ground due to bad weather, ice and snow.

''Manchuwarrior''
Smyrna,Delaware 19977

May 13, 2017

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials, Finish

Cons: None

cold steel 59''blackthorn walking stick

A good walking on a trail stick. A good defense/offense cane. I just love the height,(even through i wished it was a 6' stick. I will teach myself to fight with it. i like the bumps and knots on it.They make the stick really stand out. A very smooth stick. I really love it.I may order another one soon. I'm thinking about ordering 3to4 more different canes. RonnShaw.

Tr
CA

Jun 02, 2016

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials, Finish

Cons: None

91 pbst walking staff

it is best used for hiking. very well made and tough

Joe R
Charlotte, NC

Oct 27, 2016

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability

Cons: None

Very Nice Stick!

When I opened the box I was pleasantly surprised to see a stick that was nicer than I expected. I have been waiting for years for CS to produce a hiking staff, & they did a good job with this giant shillelagh! It is super heavy-duty, & being polymer it's impervious to moisture. BTW, if you get one you'll need a 7/8" cane tip for it.

Darrste
Youngwood,Pa

Oct 17, 2017

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials, Finish

Cons: None

Great Staff

Perfect for trail waliking, good for defense use heavy head nice balance, powerful enough and well made as all Cold Steel products are. will last many life times. would recommend.

Don M
Neffs, Ohio

Jul 27, 2016

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials, Finish

Cons: None

I have all three blackthorn walking sticks.

I own all three of the blacktorn walking sticks from Cold Steel. I use the staff while out hiking and the walking stick for every day carry. The shillelagh is tucked behind my front door for home security. I really like the looks and durability of the polyurethane sticks, my only complaint is the extra long branch nubs on the staff and shillelagh. After I cut them shorter and used a rasp to round them off , the improvement in versatility was enormous. I would buy all three again however I probably will have these for the rest of my life.

Andrew
South Texas

May 19, 2016

Pros: Overall Quality, Durability, Materials

Cons: Finish

Great stic, but a bit uncomfortable if held/clutched at certain points

Not a bad item for the price. I purchased one of these babies after a long wait and I have to say it is everything I expect a Cold Steel walking stick to be : Elegant, unassuming, and absolutely vicious as a weapon.... If the need to use it in such a manner arises. My only real complaint is that the clipped thorn protrusions make it uncomfortable to flip and freestyle with and also limit your options to use it in a self defense situation. As of this review I have used this stick a handful of times to traverse around town when I go places walking distance from where I live (i.e Walgreens, Subway, Local gas station to buy snacks, local drive in with a friend for a burger or chili dog) and every time I have been complimented or questioned about it. Great stick for traversing and decent for self defense. I'll give it 3/5 stars for that one minor detail.

M. Gauthier
California

Sep 22, 2016

Pros: Durability

Cons: Finish

Cold Steel Walking Staff.

Product is as expected. Way too heavy to be useful as a walking staff. The thorn protrusions are also too tall and impede hand movement on the shaft if used as a self defense tool. It is, I'm sure practically indestructible.