Please help me choose wood for a staff

Neil · 7th May 2010, 01:19 AM

Josh,
I train Northern Shaolin with what is known as Chinese white waxwood staffs. They are the norm for Chinese martial art practice today. Their true name and place in traditional Chinese martial art history is not completely clear to me. I can say with certainty though that they are very tough and resistant to chipping/splintering and breakage. I have personally put them through serious repeated impact and they are good to go. They can be found through dealers such as Wing Lam Enterprises etc. I believe you are a Chinese arms enthusiast so you may be aware of this option already. I thought it was worth mentioning though. I hope it helps.

josh stout · 7th May 2010, 03:00 PM

I know wax wood is a traditional choice, but we use rattan for our light and flexible staffs. The training center in Indonesia uses Macassar ebony for their heavy training staffs, but it is very pricy and usually unavailable.

Thanks to the advice on purple heart etc. I will post pictures when I restore a spear.
Thanks,
Josh

lionzden · 7th May 2010, 04:08 PM

rosewood

t_c · 7th May 2010, 07:16 PM

IMHO stay away from waxwood for training ( sorry Neil ). A fellow student likes using waxwood for FMA, but (against rattan at least) they do eventually break and splinter under heavy use (gave him a nasty pinch in class - and a broken stick).
It seems that while some of the exotic hardwoods are really dense, they don't always have the "fiber structure" (if you get my meaning) to hold up to continued use for training - they're too brittle once you overcome their density - no resilience...
Maybe get something nice for forms & restoration, but be carefull what you choose for banging...

Lew · 7th May 2010, 10:07 PM

This may help?

t_c · 7th May 2010, 11:42 PM

Quote:

This may help?

That's great actually!

Thanks Lew - going to file this one away in library!

aiontay · 11th May 2010, 02:37 AM

I was going to recommend Osage Orange. The problem is finding straight grained dowel. If you're cutting it yourself, look along river bottoms, not upland areas. Also, look at the bark since the bark generally follows the grain.

7th May 2010, 10:07 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	This may help? Attached Images

7th May 2010, 01:19 AM	#1
Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 114	Josh, I train Northern Shaolin with what is known as Chinese white waxwood staffs. They are the norm for Chinese martial art practice today. Their true name and place in traditional Chinese martial art history is not completely clear to me. I can say with certainty though that they are very tough and resistant to chipping/splintering and breakage. I have personally put them through serious repeated impact and they are good to go. They can be found through dealers such as Wing Lam Enterprises etc. I believe you are a Chinese arms enthusiast so you may be aware of this option already. I thought it was worth mentioning though. I hope it helps.

7th May 2010, 03:00 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I know wax wood is a traditional choice, but we use rattan for our light and flexible staffs. The training center in Indonesia uses Macassar ebony for their heavy training staffs, but it is very pricy and usually unavailable. Thanks to the advice on purple heart etc. I will post pictures when I restore a spear. Thanks, Josh

7th May 2010, 04:08 PM	#3
lionzden Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 51	rosewood

7th May 2010, 07:16 PM	#4
t_c Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ca, usa Posts: 92	IMHO stay away from waxwood for training ( sorry Neil ). A fellow student likes using waxwood for FMA, but (against rattan at least) they do eventually break and splinter under heavy use (gave him a nasty pinch in class - and a broken stick). It seems that while some of the exotic hardwoods are really dense, they don't always have the "fiber structure" (if you get my meaning) to hold up to continued use for training - they're too brittle once you overcome their density - no resilience... Maybe get something nice for forms & restoration, but be carefull what you choose for banging...

11th May 2010, 02:37 AM	#7
aiontay Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 88	I was going to recommend Osage Orange. The problem is finding straight grained dowel. If you're cutting it yourself, look along river bottoms, not upland areas. Also, look at the bark since the bark generally follows the grain.