Espley Walking Sticks handcrafted in north Wales, United Kingdom

My interest in walking sticks began over thirty years ago when I wanted a thumbstick and all I could find at local shows were poor quality and overpriced factory-made specimens, so I decided to make my own and purchased a book on the craft of stick dressing.

One after another I turned out sticks from hazelwood, making simple knobsticks and thumbsticks, but the pictures in my book were of splendid horn handled crooks and stick handles with carved animal heads and I was determined to learn the skills necessary to create such works of art.

I specialise in Welsh mountain rams horn handled sticks, particularly plain market sticks and shepherds crooks but also decorated handles with animal carvings.

My walking sticks are finished to the highest standard, made in the traditional way, well balanced and proportioned with a nice comfortable hand, all intended for daily use.

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Stick categories

  • Antique & Collectables

    Antique & Collectables (16)

  • Decorated Sticks

    Decorated Sticks (6)

  • Knob sticks

    Knob sticks (6)

  • Shepherds Crooks

    Shepherds Crooks (5)

  • Thumb sticks

    Thumb sticks (17)

  • Walking Sticks and market sticks

    Walking Sticks and market sticks (9)

    • Recently added sticks

    Scottish Blackface rams horn thumb stick

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    Welsh mountain rams horn leg crook.

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    Welsh Badger face rams horn market stick.

    £245.00     View Product

    Stag antler thumb stick

    £70.00     View Product

    Stag antler thumb stick

    £65.00     View Product

    Stag antler thumb stick

    £65.00     View Product

    Testimonials

    Dear Tony

    New stick safely received in Norfolk and I have to say it is perfect. Thank you – much appreciated.

    Best wishes

    Greg

    Hi Tony,

    Can you make me another six sticks as per the last order please. Boss loves them and now has them at all of his houses and on the yacht !

    Hi Tony,
    The walking stick arrived today. I’m really pleased with the craftsmanship so many thanks.
    Hi Tony,
    Just to let you know that the ‘Welsh Mountain Rams Horn Market walking Stick’  arrived this morning.
    A massive Thank You its is beautifully crafted, the Rams horn Handle is beautifully crafted & just the right shape hook to put over my dads wrist to keep safe when not walking.
    The hazel shank is so strong & such beautiful wood, the colour is so rich it is truly amazing.
    The brass engraved collar really makes it a one off piece, I am so so pleased, it’s truly such a beautiful walking stick.

    Hi Tony,
    I just wanted to write and say how much I love my shepherds crook bought for me by my husband as a Christmas present. I think it’s made from Jacobs horn,

    Could you tell me what the wood is? I could never use it on the sheep as it’s far to nice, so will be used as a sheep showing/dog trialing stick.

    Thanks again for this beautifully crafted gift I absolutely love it.

    Dear Tony, just wanted to say my husband was delighted with his walking stick, it’s really beautiful so thank you and best wishes for 2021
    Caroline

    Tony
    The stick arrived safely yesterday and was in action when my wife took the dogs for a walk on Salisbury Plain today. We are both thrilled with your work, thank you for taking such trouble, it’s so good to have an old friend up and running again.
    Your collar solution is inspired and a very neat piece of work.
    Thank you for your assistance. We know exactly where to refer enquiries in future should friends ever ask!
    Best regards,
    Richard.

    Order #5507 – stick has arrived safely and I am extremely happy with it! Excellent work of art and the silver collar finishes it off beautifully – well worth the price!!
    Many thanks – Phil.

    My stick has safely arrived. It’s stunning and I love it. Fits perfect in my hand and so light. Thank you

    Sally. Tiverton, Devon

    Hi Tony just received one of your Rams horn trout sticks from my family for my 65th birthday I am absolutely delighted with it thank you.

    Stay safe @ well.

    Hi Tony, Received both crooks today in good order. They really look fantastic!

    You’re an artist!

    Thnxs very much!

    Best regards

    Dear Mr Espley,

    The stick has arrived, and I am delighted with it. Thank you so much for your fantastic service. I popped the cheque in the post last night so it should be with you soon.

    Thank you once again, you have saved the day!

     

    Latest News

    Spring 2021

    A busy few weeks in the workshop since Christmas. Plenty of new orders coming in and I’ve also found time to get out cutting shanks for next year. Its always enjoyable searching through woodland looking for that perfect specimen. To date I have cut approximately three hundred hazel shanks and a few prized holly shanks. …

    Spring 2021Read More

    Christmas is coming.

    We have some great stocking fillers for the game shooters and dog owners this Christmas! Simple holly and hazel knob sticks for use when walking the dog and some buffalo horn Cumbria pattern market sticks and thumb sticks, some with magnetic ferrules to pick up your spent cartridges and collars with a flying pheasant engraved …

    Christmas is coming.Read More

    jacob cock pheasant stick

    Summer 2020

    Here we are in 2020 and in the middle of the COVID lockdown as I write. I am fortunate that I can carry on working in my workshop and continue to sell walking sticks. Quality rams horn Rams horn of the quality necessary to make horn handles from is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Partly …

    Summer 2020Read More

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