Where to get a bo and what, and how much?

There are four of us in the family doing karate: myself and my boys aged 13, 10, and 7. At the moment we've got two bo (myself and the eldest) and a jo (bought for the middle boy when he was too small for a full-size one).
They're mass-produced softer wood ones rather than individually honed from the core of a 500 year old oak tree, if you get my drift.
But now the boys have grown a bit and have moved up the grades, so we need another full-size bo.
And I've decided I'd like a good one for me.
Just want a plain one, not any fancy carvings or decorations.
But I've no idea of quality, price, and where to get them.
Any advice?

 

Moved to Weapons so you get responses from those who don't check the Karate forum

 

What you require is a rokushakubo

A freind of mine owns a martial arts shop and ships throughout the UK

Call 01472 250075 Satori Ryu Martial arts - and ask for Paul or Neil, they'll send it to you.

 

http://www.bostaff.com This isn't a joke, this really is this guys website addy. He makes custom made bo staffs from your choice of hardwoods. Basically, you choose the exact length, exact taper (if any), and what woods he uses.

He creates custom laminations as well, meaning he will bind 2 different woods together to give it a unique appearance. Check out his website. His prices are fair and there isn't a glittery staff to be found.

 

$85 (£43) to purchase the bo + Postage and Packaging to the UK (£??), + 17.5% VAT and import tax. = No such a good deal.

 

Bo Staff? Is that a Staff Staff? A bit like a Panzer Tank...?

 

Well, stop being from the UK then. I'm only kidding. Sorry, I wish I knew of someplace over there that could help you out.

But in all fairness (apparently only to anyone in the US) I think 85 is a small price to pay to have a staff custom tailored to your specifications. Maybe that's just me.

 

That's about what I might pay for a waster, so it's not out of the ball park.

-Mark

 

I have several bo within my dojo, all genuine Japanese oak and were no more than £25 for each of them.

 

It seems to me that, unless the staff is overly ornate, there's a whole lot more labor/skill/craftsmanship that goes into making a usable wooden sword than into a long, straight, cylindrical stick (even if it's tapered). I can't see paying US$85 for a staff unless it was made with an especially rare/expensive wood.

 

So what's wrong with one of these?

http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=215&CatID=17

 

Check out the Playwell and Blitz websites, they have loads of them and they are pretty cheap. I got a nice rattan one for £12.

 

True, but it's harder to get longer straight pieces of wood. Perhaps that's where the price difference is.

Then again: http://www.armor.com/pole118.html

Best regards,

-Mark

 

Oak tends to split after a bit of impact. It's not good for wasters, IMO. It might be fine for staff work depending on the amount of contact involved.

Best regards,

-Mark

 

I might buy that argument if not for the fact that pretty much all staffs are long, straight pieces of wood, and they usually don't cost anywhere near US$85.

I've actually been pretty happy with the (straight, not tapered) white wax staff I bought from Century MA awhile ago. I had thought that white wax wood was ultra-light and flexible, but it turns out that it's heftier than most rattan staves I've used in the past, and is quite solid. I haven't been using it long enough to see how it holds up to long-term abuse, though. It's also not really suitable for someone who is specifically looking for a heavy hardwood staff, though (which is why I didn't mention it when I first saw the initial post). Their list price is $25, but if you're buying it through a martial arts school, the teacher is getting it for a lot less than that, and may pass along some of the savings if he's nice.

 

I have an Autarky Australian Blue River Gum tapered staff, sanded and oiled it when i got it and the damn thing is almost indestructible, I can stand on it (I weigh 75kg).
It has a nice, moderately hefty feel and only cost me AU$40.

Of course if you're not lucky enough to live in the land downunder you might need to go for something substandard.
lol

 

i bought my black oak 6ft bo of EBAY for £10

 

dudes, i want a staff 2 start 2 learn with, do i need 2 buy a 80 something$'s peice of a tree that over 10 times my age? would a $5 6ft brush shaft not do the same job?

 

http://www.qualitymartialarts.com/popup.cfm?p_n=111562&p_i=111562

Usual chinese oak typical of most M/A shops/orgs at 1/2 the price.

 

nice, btw just got a proper bo staff, ne1 no ne good drills r tecquenics (r links)