The wooden shafts on our crooks have been cured for a year. Each one has been hand carved and some styles have accenting, inlaid wood in the handle. Others have a handle made of resin. Collars add a nice accent between the handle and the shaft. The crooks have been left long to be cut to your personal length preference either by us or you. They come with a heavy duty, brass, end cap to protect the tip. Each crook has been artfully designed and expertly handcrafted. These are beautiful artistic crooks. Each one is different from the next. As in any handcrafted piece there will be variations. Recommended for training or trialing purposes only, not real farm work. Handcrafted in the Netherlands.