A very common question we get all the time is how to measure for a shillelagh or an Irish fighting stick?
A simple answer is to stand with your arms naturally hanging down by your sides and have some one measure from your wrist down to the ground. This is a common way to measure for a cane by physical therapists and it works well as a measurement process for a shillelagh.
In the Combat Shillelagh Irish Stick Fighting system, we hold the stick or bata at about the 1/3rd mark. So, if you grab a broom handle or stick and hold it in one hand at the 1/3rd spot on the stick and let is hang down to your side, you will measure where it just clears the ground if you swing it gently front to back.
Both of these measurement techniques will give you a valid measurement for you and your body height and type.
Generally speaking most folks that are in the 5′ 10″ – 6′ height range or so will be perfectly suited with a shillelagh that measures 36″ in length.