09/10/2026
The story of craftsmanship and tradition that has shaped the game of lacrosse has many connections that have been passed along, and has inspired many for decades. The relationship of the three stick pictured here have connections to stick makers that truly supplied the world spanning over a century. First on the right is a stick by Herb Martin a “Martin’s Special”. Herb has been credited with the changing the design of the flat top wide mouth design to a more narrow round top stick which became the preferred standard in Box lacrosse. Herb started making ing sticks around 1925. Herb’s craftsmanship inspired the next generation of great stick makers.
The second stick is an Etienne-Martin. Made de by Matthew Etienne. Matthew had many different models of sticks he made, but he had a premier stick that has a familiar name. Martin was added to the Etienne name to honor the craftsmanship that Matthew saw in Herb Martin’s sticks. From some of my earlier research, I speculated the Martin name may have a connection or family name with Etienne. I later learned from Robert Fortier, who was a very close friend and sold sticks across Canada with Matthew that the Martin name was in honor of Herb Martin. Early versions of Etienne sticks had more of a squared off top bend. With the evolution of box Lacrosse Matthew apparently change the design to a more rounded top preferred by players. During the 70s, Matthew was also one of the main stick suppliers the National Lacrosse League. His sticks were one of preferred sticks for players that played for the Quebec Caribous team.
The third stick is a Mitchell Brothers Mohawk International stick. Mohawk Lacrosse legacy is truly amalgamation of some great stick makers. Mark Mitchell was shown skills by Wally Roundpoint (Mohawk Lacrosse MFG.) Mark expanded his wooden stick making business to honor his great, great grandfather Matthew White.(credit to Casey Vock) Mark also purchased equipment and tooling from Matthew Etienne after he had retired from making sticks.
The Spirt of stick making truly deserves to have its legacy honored. I am honored to have and played with, and restored many of these great sticks.
