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 (9)

  • Knob sticks

    Knob sticks (8)

  • Shepherds Crooks

    Shepherds Crooks (4)

  • Thumb sticks

    Thumb sticks (11)

  • Walking Sticks and market sticks

    Walking Sticks and market sticks (15)

    • Recently added sticks

    Rams horn market stick with acorn and oak leaf

    £285.00     View Product

    Jack Russel terrier, rams horn market stick

    £225.00     View Product

    Rams horn market stick on mottled hazel shank.

    £245.00     View Product

    Stag antler coronet walking stick

    £95.00     View Product

    Cow horn thumb stick with holly shank

    £175.00     View Product

    Cow horn thumb stick on hazel shank.

    £150.00     View Product

    Testimonials

    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!

     

    Tony; Very pleased thank you.I’m not sure how the crook was sent, but was delivered by FedEx, very quickly. Might have told you that already. It is more beautiful than pictured. You also get the prize for packaging.

    Everything is perfect, thanks.

     

    Hi Tony

    Just to let you know our stick arrived this morning.

    My husband is very happy with it. It is a lovely item.

    Thank you.

     

    Hi Tony, Thank you so, so much, the stick arrived this morning and it’s beautiful – a real work of art. You are very talented and I know Andy will be delighted with his present…and I’m sure he’ll be tweeting out his appreciation after Christmas.
    Best wishes for Christmas & the new year.

    Kind regards,

    Hi Tony, Walking stick arrived its perfect. Many thanks, excellent service.

    Regards

    Latest News

    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

    My work shop

    Autumn 2018

    I’m pleased to say that stick making is now my full-time occupation. As you can see there is a much broader selection of sticks available to purchase. I can now offer more black buffalo horn sticks, crooks, walkers and thumbsticks as this material is in plentiful supply, unlike rams horn which is still difficult to …

    Autumn 2018Read More

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