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.

Find out more

Stick categories

  • Antique, Collectables and modern.

    Antique, Collectables and modern. (27)

  • Decorated Sticks

    Decorated Sticks (6)

  • Knob sticks

    Knob sticks (5)

  • Shepherds Crooks

    Shepherds Crooks (6)

  • Thumb sticks

    Thumb sticks (12)

  • Walking Sticks and market sticks

    Walking Sticks and market sticks (12)

    • Recently added sticks

    Buffalo horn market stick

    £275.00     View Product

    Antler thumb-stick

    £60.00     View Product

    Buffalo horn thumb-stick

    £100.00     View Product

    Antler thumb-stick

    £50.00     View Product

    Buffalo horn thumb-stick.

    £95.00     View Product

    Resin dome topped walking stick with St Christopher medal insert

    £30.00     View Product

    Testimonials

    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

    Many thanks for the lovely stick which arrived safely. Sam loves it.

    Hi Tony, A belated thank you for the beautiful stick. My wife was thrilled with it and we didin’t need to shorten it any further.

    Regards, Alan.

    Hi Tony, Thank you so much for your brisk response and your evident quick and thorough service. Just to say the badger stick has just arrived and im absolutely thrilled with it. Its more beautiful in the flesh than i ever imagined and i know will make a beautiful Christmas present

    Hi Tony
    I got the stick back safely and am absolutely delighted with the repairs you have done, so just wanted to say a huge thank you and that it really is appreciated
    Kind Regards
    Jan

    Hi Tony. Just to say thanks for the Holly walking stick which arrived here in county Durham and what a beautiful stick it is.

    Hi Tony, crook arrived. I like it very much and thanks for sending it so quickly.

    Tony- The sticks arrived – well packaged. The market stick is beautifully crafted and a delight to hold. Thank you for the help- David.

    Mr Espley, my horn leg cleek arrived today. Really pleased with it. All the best and thank you. Tom.

    Just to say- the stick arrived safely and is perfect. Thank you.

    Latest News

    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

    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

    0