San Antonio Highland Games XMarks group photo

[creagdhubh]

Nice cromach, Tobus - ram horn handle I presume with an obvious curled nose? I purchase mine from a chap located in Argyllshire and started a wee bit of a collection several years ago - much to my wife's chagrin! Ha-ha!

Great photos and yes, it does look pretty warm! Looking smart, gents!

Cheers,

[Tobus]

Nice cromach, Tobus - ram horn handle I presume with an obvious curled nose? Cheers,

Yep, the crook is ram's horn and the shank is dark hazel. I bought this one from a stickmaker in Wales. I agonized over that purchase for a long time, trying to find "just the right one", but I'm very happy with it.

[Jack Daw]

Yep, the crook is ram's horn and the shank is dark hazel. I bought this one from a stickmaker in Wales. I agonized over that purchase for a long time, trying to find "just the right one", but I'm very happy with it.

Yep,that's a cool stick, Tobus.

[creagdhubh]

Yep, the crook is ram's horn and the shank is dark hazel. I bought this one from a stickmaker in Wales. I agonized over that purchase for a long time, trying to find "just the right one", but I'm very happy with it.

I have a cromach a lot like yours with the shank being made of dark hazel as well, but I do have other sticks made of medium to lighter shades of hazel with crooks ranging from ram horn, buffalo horn, to wood and some with a curled nose and thistle. I do not prefer brass or silver collars, so I have left them off completely. I have become quite the 'aggressive' collector of cromachs.

Well done mate,

[cck]

Shaun, thanks for the great posting. Beautiful photos and an inspiring message from the Alamo.

[medic78]

Great photo's Shaun and once again i'm in my throwing kit. A great time was had by all.

[TheSp8]

This being our first year away from San Antonio after retirement we really missed attending both the ceremony at The Alamo and the Highland Games. After reading the speech I'm doubly sad to have missed it. Glad to see the group has grown in size for the pic though.

YMOS,
Tony

[Tobus]

I have a cromach a lot like yours with the shank being made of dark hazel as well, but I do have other sticks made of medium to lighter shades of hazel with crooks ranging from ram horn, buffalo horn, to wood and some with a curled nose and thistle. I do not prefer brass or silver collars, so I have left them off completely. I have become quite the 'aggressive' collector of cromachs.

Well done mate,

I'm just getting into cromachs, but I can see how they would be addictive to collect. They're not very friendly to a budget, though!

Originally I wanted one with the carved thistle on the nose, but the price and availability made me rethink that option. I looked at buffalo horn too, but kept coming back to ram's horn for its authentic style and looks. In the end, after much deliberation with myself over it, I decided that simple is better. No fancy collars, carvings, badges, or other "bling". A good old-fashioned simple country cromach is more suited to my style, and doesn't scream "over the top". This one has a simple bone (antler) spacer between the crook and the shaft, and a plain metal tip.

Having used it all day at the Games, I'm in love with it. Now I've finally solved the problem of what to do with my hands! And to be honest, I'm a desk jockey in my professional life. I do hike a lot, but that's constant movement in well-designed boots. Standing around all day in dress shoes was really starting to take its toll on my back, and the stick was nice to lean on while jaw-jacking with others.

This being our first year away from San Antonio after retirement we really missed attending both the ceremony at The Alamo and the Highland Games. After reading the speech I'm doubly sad to have missed it. Glad to see the group has grown in size for the pic though.

YMOS,
Tony

Yes, I was wondering where you were this year Tony! You going to be back next year?

[TheSp8]

Yes, I was wondering where you were this year Tony! You going to be back next year?

It all depends on work and leave time built up. I earn much less leave time now that I'm a civilian again. We'd like to get back for the games and some hunting.

[creagdhubh]

Having used it all day at the Games, I'm in love with it. Now I've finally solved the problem of what to do with my hands! And to be honest, I'm a desk jockey in my professional life. I do hike a lot, but that's constant movement in well-designed boots. Standing around all day in dress shoes was really starting to take its toll on my back, and the stick was nice to lean on while jaw-jacking with others.

Precisely right!

Cheers,