im pleased to see that the ant stuck around for part two

I have one of your blackthorn sticks which I use daily as a walking aid, I had to give another coat of black gloss but it's a nice thing and gets a lot of compliments.

Omg that's hilarious, the ant crawling on right side of his glasses 🤣🤣👍

Francis, Great post.and information- I look forward to visiting

Now I’m getting a better picture Francis thanks for your honesty, I’m more convinced now. Thanks for sharing

Love your work. So thankful for your content as well

For something that lasts a lifetime and is an essential tool for travel afoot off road, $180 for one of your sticks is not unreasonable, especially since they are individually selected by the buyers. Full transparency is valuable.

Hi Francis... I just found your channel and found your advice to be of great value. Sorry my friend, but I am one of your 'hobbyists' trying to find my way into the stick making industry. I have subscribed to your channel and really look forward to hearing and watching other topics you intend to cover. Please keep them coming.

I laughed at the blood tax. I am a leather craftsman and I definitely charge more if the piece has made me bleed. 😂

Well done good Sir! As a fellow creative, it's a very hard thing to do "putting a value" on your work. And like your good self, most with a passion for they're craft and art...couldn't be more fair in their pricing and at times...under selling themselves 😅 There's alot going on behind the magic curtain that many don't realise. Fair play brother 😉

Very cool video. I definitely prefer to deal with the craftsman. Then I know he, or she, is getting the money for their work and not someone else. Your work is beautiful and your prices are in line. So, I think it's a great value for the money.

It infuriates me that some smarmy yokels would even suggest you give a traditional item like yours to them for 20 to 30 Euros. The raw materials alone would total that, since a crafted item has to chosen then cut, and finally cured before you could even begin to fashion it. Thoroughly enjoyed your final talk about the penance exacted for the harm its caused you while making it, and how its more costly for the trouble its caused you to craft it. I have a better idea just what the going rate is now when buying the real thing when I finally invest in one someday. Really would enjoy seeing Ireland again, since my only time was spent in Shannon at the Airport, awaiting my flight to Sicily in the mid-90's. Enjoyed your cast and all the pointers on purchasing a righteous walking stick. Warmest regards.

Blood tax,I like that one.

I’m in Northern Ireland I’ve always had a blackthorn with a smaller handle but I’m looking to get one from you like the one you’re holding ie a good medium sized handle/ball I’ll definitely be in touch. 👍🏻

Very nice work you do! I'm going to order a stick from you here shortly.

Part 2 and the ant is still there. How did you not notice? :D Good info though

We’re getting screwed! Here in the United States if we manufacture a product and sell it directly to the public there are no sales tax that I need to collect and being that we still deal in cash here in the United States for the time being anyway I’ll get to that in a moment most of us don’t claim it as income tax if you have a legitimate business and you’re dealing mostly cash well you get the drift. Here in United States right now we have a “ coin shortage“ that’s our governments way of saying that you will now use your ATM card or credit cards and we are converting over to a cashless system so that we can collect our taxes on every dime that is spent!

Great vids! Looking to get one of those sticks! My main question now is...What brand/model are those frames for your glasses???lol Serious question

Francis? What’s the name of yer pet ant? The one who lives on yer glasses? What a lil’ cutie-patootie!

Is there a source for raw blackthorn to send to the US? Barring that, what might you recommend as a comparable wood to blackthorn for us on the US West Coast? Love your videos!

Hmmm Francis a quick search on e bay leads to lots of £30 sticks is there a way to positively identify Blackthorn?

I bought I Blackthorn walking stick from Atlanta Cutlery around 10 years ago. ($70.) Have you seen there sticks? And if so, what of their quality, in your opinion? I do plan on a purchase from you, in the not too distant time. Thanks for the share!!

Wonderful video love the canes, but Do you sell them and ship them?

The under priced offers are something all crafters deal with. It’s sad and usually gets a chuckle out of me

Ok, so is it better to purchase your sticks from your web page or Etsy, or does it matter?

I love it…I would do the same to make the stick pay extra ..I would do the same l am saving to get one of your sticks and I would want one that you had to fight with..I think that is great..Jim

Humm, a bastard stick could be an intimidating thing in an old mans hands!

Nice sticks. What stick number is the one in your hand and the one on the wall?

Ok, so what does a phenomenal stick (your best one) look like & why?

Can I git on ?

A bastard stick hahaha is that a particular genus

Do you sell to the USA

Hi Francis. I don't think I'd buy a blackthorn stick for a cheap price like €20 or even € 50. I'm like the guy on the Life of Brian who's given the gourd for free... he keeps asking .." what's wrong with it then ?..." I get suspicious if something that normally fetches a higher price is going for a low price.

Might as well have done just the one video Francis, it would be good for your channel. The YT algorithm likes longer videos.

You guys are getting taxed to death…..but so are we here in the states but we don’t have a VAT tax….yet

Ah....its ant and spec not ant and dec 😆

if you do this a s a full time job and you cant turn out a stick in 6 hours your in the wrong job matey.

how do i order a stick from you. I am in Hawaii. Facetime, Facebook messenger to look at the product and discuss.