Grip in Irish stick fighting

[@conlethberry1236]

a bit of a ramble... well you are the rambling kern 😂😂😂

[@ramblingkern]

@@conlethberry1236 it is my speciality haha

[@Thorne_MacGregor]

Thank you for the video. It helped me understand grips in other stick fighting styles as well as Irish stick, which was a pleasant surprise. As always I love your videos, especially the ones about Irish stick fighting, and I appreciate your work. Go raibh maith agat, Nathan.

[@ramblingkern]

@@Thorne_MacGregor I really appreciate that mate thank you.

[@Outrider74]

If I recall correctly, I believe Simon Keegan has a SLIGHT variation on the grip in which he pushes his thumb into the stick instead of holding it like a true saber grip at all times. Also, J.P. Sullivan of the Shiner faction in Canada uses a variety of grips for his stick techniques. But yes, I very much appreciate the saber grip for the Irish stick and its quick, whipping strikes.

[@ramblingkern]

@@Outrider74 not familiar with Simon's material and the shiner stuff is all a modern style they came up with so not a reflection of historical bata.

[@snakeoveer1046]

I find that the hammer grip is appropriate if the stick is thick enough to fill the hand, if it is thinner the thumb grip is more secure. Functionally both grips allow you to do the same things with a stick as long you keep your grip fluid.

[@ramblingkern]

@@snakeoveer1046 both grips can allow some similar movements but they don't allow you to do the exact same things especially with a knob stick.

[@theperson8275]

😏

[@johnd7108]

This grip sounds similar to it has been said that the Irish would use and hold the Irish war axe

[@ramblingkern]

@@johnd7108 yeah I have seen a handful of accounts of the Irish holding their axe in a similar way which makes sense as it allows it to move a lot easier

[@eliask-gr2zc]

Hello Mr.Kern , I am interested in buying a Shillelagh. Who do you recommend I buy an authentic black finish Shillelagh from ?

[@ramblingkern]

@@eliask-gr2zc hello mate. I can only speak for one maker who ships internationally as I have not purchased from any other makers. That would be Liam at the olde shillelagh shop. He does great work and you can see his shop and some of his work in my shillelagh visit video.

[@zoltanszilvassy8715]

@@ramblingkern I 'inherited' a Shillelagh in an auction box lot marked "Rowley" and have always marvelled at the patina. It is short however, unlike a walking stick, has a shamrock carved into the head, and keeps its bark on. Perhaps a Canadian version ? It also has a large amount of what appear to be pin holes in its crook near the head that had me thinking a sharp object had been secured there multiple times. It looks to be less a display piece versus a real item. I believe the Priests carried them in WWI as they could not carry a weapon. We have a few Irish WWI Regiments here, eg. 29th Regiment Tobin's Tigers, Vancouver Regiment, Warden's Warriors, etc. Is there I place I can send photos to ?

[@ramblingkern]

@zoltanszilvassy8715 yes you can email me or get me on social media. From what you're describing it could well be a swagger stick.

[@zoltanszilvassy8715]

@@ramblingkern Ok I shall look for your email. I just dug it out; I have not looked at it since about 2015 when I moved here. The Shamrock is at the base of the handle, and at the ball end is a carved Harp. A hole is near the wrist end. Entire length is 19.5 inches. The patina is crazy. I need to video the shine on it to do it justice.