Gloria Atwater Posted September 20, 2010 Report Share Posted September 20, 2010 Greetings all ~ I'm just kind of window-shopping at this point, but from time to time I think about buying a nice shepherd's crook. Presently, I have my beat up but trusty ol' fiberglass Colroy crook and a sweet chestnut crook that my Jesse won some 8 years ago. I've thought it would be nice to have something "dressier" to take out trialing, but ... I don't think my hat is big enough, yet, to warrant me splurging to buy a spiffy $250+ horn crook. So, I'm just wondering if folks here could recommend some crook makers who make nice stuff that falls under $200. I know Ian Caldicott in Oregon has started making crooks, while there's a site called Hill Shepherd Farm that apparently makes crooks. (Anybody know them?) I do know The Dog House and Border Collies In Action carry the nice, spendier varieties, but I'm curious what else is out there that I can't find on Google. (When I did try searching, almost every crookmaker I found was in the UK - erks.) Thanks in advance, looking forward to reading what folks have to say. Cheers ~ Gloria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearse Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 Greetings all ~ I'm just kind of window-shopping at this point, but from time to time I think about buying a nice shepherd's crook. Presently, I have my beat up but trusty ol' fiberglass Colroy crook and a sweet chestnut crook that my Jesse won some 8 years ago. I've thought it would be nice to have something "dressier" to take out trialing, but ... I don't think my hat is big enough, yet, to warrant me splurging to buy a spiffy $250+ horn crook. So, I'm just wondering if folks here could recommend some crook makers who make nice stuff that falls under $200. I know Ian Caldicott in Oregon has started making crooks, while there's a site called Hill Shepherd Farm that apparently makes crooks. (Anybody know them?) I do know The Dog House and Border Collies In Action carry the nice, spendier varieties, but I'm curious what else is out there that I can't find on Google. (When I did try searching, almost every crookmaker I found was in the UK - erks.) Thanks in advance, looking forward to reading what folks have to say. Cheers ~ Gloria Ian has some nice crooks. George McDonald in Washington Glen Firchow in WY made mine with a really nice myrtlewood handle Richard Bailey in CO makes some nice wood-handled crooks that are really light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 I got mine from George MacDonald in Washington. It took him a year to make it but well worth it...around $300. I love it and he made it to my spec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 Dan King (VA) makes some very nice crooks (he also does repairs). He has a long waiting list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 both Dan and George have horns from my rams. One is a really cool stripey one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyF Posted September 21, 2010 Report Share Posted September 21, 2010 I got mine from Richard Bailey in Colorado. It cost me $50 and it is a very nicely made all wood crook. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsnrs Posted September 26, 2010 Report Share Posted September 26, 2010 You can try the feed stores; saves shipping costs at least. My neighbor made her own from yucca plants. They grow wild here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted September 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2010 Thanks for the replies, everyone! Tess and Tea, Mr. MacDonald's crooks sound gorgeous, but I think I'd better wait until I'm a good enough trialer to deserve one. Or at least until my dog earns the price of one. Pearse, Kathy, can either of you share contact information for Glen Firchow and Richard Bailey? I'm in Nevada, so I don't know these folks. Hsnrs, unfortunately our feed stores only carry stock sticks and flags, and once in a while the occasional aluminum leg crook. Our (few) large sheep ranchers hire Peruvians, and I don't know if they even carry crooks. Cheers ~ Gloria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTDogs Posted September 27, 2010 Report Share Posted September 27, 2010 Ha Ha Gloria! I said the exact same thing I guess I could spring for a $50 one if we make it into Open. Cindy (lurking) in FL Tess and Tea, Mr. MacDonald's crooks sound gorgeous, but I think I'd better wait until I'm a good enough trialer to deserve one. Or at least until my dog earns the price of one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Good Shepherd Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Add me to the list of $50.00 crooks Close to where I am at would be good. In NM no feedstore carries crooks, all they have is stock sticks, not even flags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dream spirit Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Tom Hoeber (sp?) located in western upstate NY I think has started fooling around with making all wooden crooks . I saw him at a trial in July and he showed me a few of what he had made.They looked nice enough to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 I've seen an aluminum rod (Home Depot or Lowes) bent into a crook shape with clear flexable tubing (Home Depot or Lowes) over the bend to make a handle. It would be lightweight, easy to make, and cheap. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyF Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Thanks for the replies, everyone! Tess and Tea, Mr. MacDonald's crooks sound gorgeous, but I think I'd better wait until I'm a good enough trialer to deserve one. Or at least until my dog earns the price of one. Pearse, Kathy, can either of you share contact information for Glen Firchow and Richard Bailey? I'm in Nevada, so I don't know these folks. Hsnrs, unfortunately our feed stores only carry stock sticks and flags, and once in a while the occasional aluminum leg crook. Our (few) large sheep ranchers hire Peruvians, and I don't know if they even carry crooks. Cheers ~ Gloria Gloria, I sent you a PM on Facebook. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted October 12, 2010 Report Share Posted October 12, 2010 Tom Hoeber (sp?) located in western upstate NY I think has started fooling around with making all wooden crooks . I saw him at a trial in July and he showed me a few of what he had made.They looked nice enough to me. Welcome, Michele (one L)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted October 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 Thanks again for replies. Kathy, I got your PM, will reply later. Thank you! Mark, thanks for the idea. That sounds like a good way to make a quick usin' crook, though I'm looking for something a little on the nice side - but not too nice for my novice-novice status. Cheers ~ Gloria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel King Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 Thought I would chime in since my name was mentioned. Thanks for the compliment Mark.. For training or trialing, I use/recommend getting the fiberglass wands from any Home Depot or Lowes for about a buc.. I made grips for mine with air line hose sold by the foot. Just glue a 6-8" piece on one end. Viola, instant working wand for about two bucks. I made about ten and have them all over the place so one is always nearby and handy. Imo, I don't think you need to be anyone special or at a certain level to treat yourself to a nice crook. It is a cultural jewel of our sport. If you get a crook, get to know the maker and let him know what you want style wise and measurement. As far as I know George MacDonald and I are the only two people actively making traditional Rams horn crooks in this country. George was a long distance mentor of mine and he does beautiful work. Here is a gallery of my work if interested in seeing. http://picasaweb.google.com/awayjig/Crooks# Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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