Those sticks are Norman Tulips, most are now in Alnwick Castle.
To use the Holly properly, its cut about 6ft long, and about 5inches thick. Seal all cut ends on branch shoots etc, with varnish, paint etc. Leave to season for perhaps 4 years or "season" at a mill in their kiln.
The shank is then planed straight and square, then hexagonal to about 2 inches thick. Your now using the heart wood. Mark around the knots with a pencil and file around these leaving then standing proud, and round off the shank to about one inch thick. You must seal the shank at the end of the day after working on it.