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

    Antique & Collectables (11)

  • Decorated Sticks

    Decorated Sticks (5)

  • Knob sticks

    Knob sticks (2)

  • Shepherds Crooks

    Shepherds Crooks (4)

  • Thumb sticks

    Thumb sticks (13)

  • Walking Sticks and market sticks

    Walking Sticks and market sticks (11)

    • Recently added sticks

    Welsh mountain rams horn market stick

    £245.00     View Product

    Welsh mountain rams horn crook/ market stick

    £255.00     View Product

    Lyre pattern buffalo thumb stick

    £60.00     View Product

    Stag antler thumb stick

    £70.00     View Product

    Jacob rams horn shepherds crook.

    £355.00     View Product

    Black Welsh mountain rams horn shepherds crook.

    £355.00     View Product

    Testimonials

    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.

    Tony. It has arrived and it is wonderful. Thank you very much. I am eager to take it with me in the Rocky Mountains!

    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.

    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

    0