How to Measure for a Shillelagh

If you are buying your first shillelagh, one of the most important questions to answer is: what size shillelagh do I need?

Choosing the correct shillelagh length can make a major difference in how the stick feels, moves, and performs during Irish Stick Fighting training. A shillelagh that is too long may feel cumbersome and repeatedly strike the ground. A stick that is too short may sacrifice useful reach and feel less natural in your hands.

Fortunately, learning how to measure for a shillelagh is simple. We even have a Youtube Video explaining it: https://youtu.be/rgAikNOc_QM

For most people, the best approach is to start with a wrist-to-floor measurement and then confirm that measurement using a broom handle, dowel rod, or training stick. And for most people between 5′ 10″ and 6′, a 36″ shillelagh is a great length.

What Is the Correct Shillelagh Length?

There is no single shillelagh length that is perfect for everyone.

Your ideal stick length depends on several factors, including:

Your height
Your arm length
Your body proportions
Where you grip the stick
How you intend to use the shillelagh

Two people can be exactly the same height but have different arm lengths and body proportions. Because of this, choosing a shillelagh based only on height is not always the best approach.

Instead, you should measure your body and test how the stick feels in your hand.

How to Measure for a Shillelagh Using the Wrist-to-Floor Method

The easiest way to determine your approximate shillelagh size is to use the wrist-to-floor measurement.

Stand upright in a comfortable and natural position.

Allow your arms to hang loosely at your sides. Do not raise your shoulders, reach toward the ground, or bend your knees.

Have another person measure from the crease of your wrist straight down to the floor.

That distance provides an excellent starting point for determining the proper length of your shillelagh.

For example, if the distance from your wrist to the floor is approximately 36 inches, a 36-inch shillelagh may be a good place to start.

This method is similar to the way walking canes are traditionally sized, but for Irish Stick Fighting we recommend taking the process one step further.

Test Your Shillelagh Length Before Buying

Once you have your basic measurement, test it using something inexpensive before ordering a handcrafted blackthorn shillelagh.

A wooden dowel, broom handle, or training stick works perfectly.

Cut or mark the stick at approximately the length you measured.

Then hold it the way you would hold your shillelagh during training.

In the Combat Shillelagh system, we commonly hold the stick at approximately the one-third point, rather than gripping it directly at the very end.

This leaves a shorter portion of the stick below your hand and a longer striking portion above it.

Allow your arm to hang naturally beside your body and gently move the stick forward and backward.

The bottom of the stick should just clear the ground.

If the bottom repeatedly strikes the floor, the stick may be too long.

If there is a very large amount of space between the stick and the ground, you may be able to comfortably use a slightly longer shillelagh.

What Size Shillelagh for a 6-Foot-Tall Person?

A common question is: how long should a shillelagh be for someone who is six feet tall?

As a general reference, someone approximately 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall will often be comfortable with a shillelagh around 36 inches long.

However, this should be treated as a general guideline rather than an absolute rule.

One six-foot-tall person may have longer arms than another. That difference could change the ideal shillelagh length by several inches.

This is why the wrist-to-floor measurement is more useful than simply relying on your height.

Shillelagh Size Chart: A Starting Point

Although individual measurements are always better, the following can serve as a rough reference when deciding what size shillelagh to purchase.

Shorter users: may prefer a stick shorter than 36 inches.

Average-height users: will often fall somewhere around the mid-30-inch range.

Someone around 5’10” to 6′ tall: approximately 36 inches is a useful starting point.

Taller users: may prefer a stick longer than 36 inches depending on arm length and body proportions.

These are guidelines only.

Whenever possible, physically test the length before purchasing a custom or expensive shillelagh.

Why Does Shillelagh Length Matter?

The correct shillelagh size is about more than comfort.

A shillelagh is a dynamic weapon.

During Irish Stick Fighting training, you may be:

Striking
Blocking
Changing angles
Managing distance
Moving your feet
Transitioning between positions
Manipulating both ends of the weapon

The length of the stick affects all of these movements.

A stick that is excessively long can become difficult to maneuver. You may find yourself adjusting your posture or arm position simply to avoid hitting the ground.

A stick that is unnecessarily short may feel easier to move but can reduce your effective reach.

The goal is to find a shillelagh that complements your body mechanics rather than interfering with them.

Grip Position Changes the Effective Length of Your Shillelagh

Another important consideration is where you hold the stick.

Many people unfamiliar with Irish Stick Fighting assume the shillelagh is always held at the very bottom like a club.

That is not necessarily the case.

Within the Combat Shillelagh system, we commonly use a grip positioned approximately one-third of the way up the stick.

This gives you usable weapon length on both sides of your hand.

Because of this grip position, a properly sized stick should allow the lower portion to move freely without constantly striking the floor.

This is one of the reasons physically testing your proposed stick length is so valuable.

Can You Use a Walking Shillelagh for Irish Stick Fighting?

Traditional shillelaghs can serve several purposes.

Some are primarily decorative.

Some are designed as walking sticks.

Others are intended for martial practice, historical study, or personal training.

A walking-length shillelagh may work well for training if the dimensions, weight, balance, and construction are appropriate.

However, simply buying a stick labeled “shillelagh” does not automatically mean it will be ideal for Irish Stick Fighting.

Pay attention to:

Overall length
Weight
Balance
Shaft thickness
Grip comfort
Knob size
Construction quality

For training purposes, the weapon should be something you can control effectively rather than something that simply looks traditional.

How to Measure for a Custom Blackthorn Shillelagh

If you are investing in a handmade Irish blackthorn shillelagh, taking a few minutes to measure beforehand is especially important.

Start with these steps:

Stand naturally with your arms at your sides.
Measure from your wrist crease to the floor.
Use that number as your initial shillelagh length.
Find a broom handle, dowel, or inexpensive training stick.
Mark your intended overall length.
Grip the stick around the one-third point.
Allow your arm to hang naturally.
Gently move the stick forward and backward.
Make sure the lower end clears the ground.
Adjust the length if necessary.

This simple process can help you avoid ordering a beautiful handcrafted stick that does not comfortably fit your body.

Should a Shillelagh Touch the Ground?

When using the shillelagh in a martial context, you generally do not want the lower end repeatedly striking the floor during normal movement.

When you hold the stick naturally at approximately the one-third point, the bottom should have enough clearance to move without dragging.

The clearance does not have to be enormous.

Ideally, the stick should just clear the floor while allowing you to move naturally.

That gives you useful length without making the weapon unnecessarily cumbersome.

Is a Longer Shillelagh Better?

Not necessarily.

A longer weapon provides additional reach, but additional reach always comes with tradeoffs.

A longer stick can be slower to maneuver in close quarters and may require more space to move comfortably.

A shorter stick can feel faster and more compact, but it reduces your reach.

The objective is not to own the longest shillelagh possible.

The objective is to choose a length that fits your body and supports the way you train.

The Best Shillelagh Size Is the One That Fits You

When deciding what size shillelagh you need, avoid searching for one universal measurement.

Instead, start with your own body.

Measure from your wrist to the floor.

Then test that measurement with a broom handle, wooden dowel, or training stick.

Grip it at approximately the one-third point and make sure the bottom of the stick can comfortably clear the ground while your arm remains relaxed.

For someone approximately 5’10” to 6′ tall, a 36-inch shillelagh may be an excellent starting point, but individual proportions still matter.

Taking five minutes to measure properly can make a major difference, especially if you are investing in an authentic handmade blackthorn shillelagh.

A properly sized stick should feel like an extension of your body rather than something you are fighting against.

Once you have the right size, you can focus on what really matters: learning how to move, strike, defend, and develop effective body mechanics with the weapon.

Ancient Arts, Modern Times.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shillelagh Size

How long should a shillelagh be?

The proper shillelagh length varies depending on your height, arm length, grip position, and body proportions. Measuring from your wrist to the floor is a good starting point.

What size shillelagh do I need?

Measure from the crease of your wrist to the floor while standing naturally. Then test that length with a broom handle or dowel while gripping it around the one-third point.

What size shillelagh should a 6-foot person use?

Someone approximately 5’10” to 6′ tall may find a 36-inch shillelagh comfortable, although individual arm length and body proportions should also be considered.

How do you measure for a blackthorn shillelagh?

Stand naturally and measure from your wrist crease to the floor. Use that measurement as your starting point, then test the proposed length before ordering a custom blackthorn stick.

Should a shillelagh touch the ground?

When held naturally for martial practice, the lower portion should generally clear the ground rather than repeatedly striking or dragging across it.