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 and modern.

    Antique, Collectables and modern. (11)

  • Decorated Sticks

    Decorated Sticks (1)

  • Knob sticks

    Knob sticks (4)

  • Shepherds Crooks

    Shepherds Crooks

  • Thumb sticks

    Thumb sticks (7)

  • Walking Sticks and market sticks

    Walking Sticks and market sticks (10)

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    Stag antler walking cane

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    Cow horn cross handle walking stick

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    Stag antler walking stick

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    Testimonials

    Good Morning Tony.
    I have just received my beautiful walking stick. I love it ❤️. It’s absolutely as described and more. Thank you so much, I will treasure it. I am looking forward to using it constantly. The rubber ferrule also provided will be useful when it’s used on hard road surfaces. ( Is that why you provide it ) Thank you again for such a speedy turn around .. just four days… fantastic service and quality. 🤩.
    Regards. Pat. M

    Hello, Tony;
    This afternoon, I received my crook safe and sound.  It measures perfectly at 54″.  Thanks very much!  I will be among many who will refer to you for a good stick.  Thanks, again.

    Hi Tony, I just received your hand carved thistle crook and it is just outstanding!!! Beautiful work, almost too nice to use ,but i will. The art combined with your craftsmanship is beyond explanation Thanks.

    Best regards, Craig.

    Got the crook, its amazing! Thank you so much.

    Hi Tony,

    I received the most beautiful crook yesterday !!! The artistry is stunning. Thank you.

    I would like to order SKU 783 it looks great also—Please advise the shipping to the US

    Thanks very much

    Best Regards,

    Craig

    Dear Tony

    Confirming the safe arrival in Auckland of my second stick purchase from you. It has been a pleasure purchasing from you.

    Regards / Nga Mihi

    Geoff

    Hi Tony,Just received my stick.
    It’s a lovely piece of craftsmanship – Thank you.

    Many thanks for your help in retrieving this during its journey here.

    Best Regards
    Ted

    Shepherds crook has arrived and its beutiful and my other half is very happy with it, comfortable to hold. Thank you so much.

    Tony.

    I thought I should confirm the stick  purchased from you arrived safely at my home today. I am delighted with it – just superb craftsmanship. Thanks again for making arrangements for delivery. Geoff.

    Thank You Tony

    My Uncle received his stick today and is now walking the hills of Mount Gable and Connemara Eire with a spring in his step and showing off the great Pheasants Headed Stick.

    Very Happy

    Dear Tony,

    The stick has arrived and I am delighted with it.

    A beautiful stick, both the horn handle and the mottling on the stick itself, just the right length – and surprisingly “light” in the hand, particularly considering how sturdy it is.

    Exactly what I was wanting – thank you very much indeed.

    I do hope you are able to access some good rams horn in due course, for you to be able to continue making these excellent sticks.

    The very kindest regards

    St John

    Dear Tony
    The rams horn Cumbria stick is absolutely fantastic. I am thrilled to bits with it. Thank you so much.
    You were spot on re the height of it too!
    Once again my deepest appreciation. It is perfect.
    Kind regards

    Latest News

    Spring 2023

    Here we are, emerging from a long cold and wet winter in north Wales. A very busy 2022 for me making walking sticks, shepherds crooks and decorated sticks and l have been fortunate that many good quality rams horns have come my way, though now far more expensive to buy. Most of my work has …

    Spring 2023Read More

    Spring 2022

    Spring here in North Wales has begun with some glorious sunny weather. As well as making sticks my winter has been busy harvesting shanks from local woodlands and collecting rams horns from various places around the country. Horns and shanks are the core materials for my walking and working sticks. The shanks are not difficult …

    Spring 2022Read More

    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