The fit of the plastic is so poor that it looks like a ten year old made the thing, sharp edges hard to hold and even harder to walk with as you cannot find and easy or comfortable area to grip. A true waste of money as the form fit and function are of very poor quality, the head is so lite weight that the balance is just off.

The top of the stick had a plastic decorative knob. I dont know what I was expecting, but I did not anticipate the cheap look of the knob.

As a community-appropriate alternative to a sidearm for dog walks in Arizona, the Cold Steel Irish Blackthorn and Walkabout sticks provide incredible peace of mind and a solid visual deterrent. The Blackthorn feels impressively robust for defense, while both sticks are surprisingly versatile for guiding a stubborn leash, improving posture during rests, or even using as exercise tools for stretching. Though I have no mobility issues, the confidence these give me to protect my dog from aggressive animals while hiking is worth every penny. They are socially acceptable everywhere, feel great in the hand, and have already proven their utility for everything from shooing away stray cats to clearing branches.

I purchased this stick about five years ago. I swear by this stick, everybody I came in contact with admired it. The stick was recently lost, I am replacing it.