Date Posted:12 August 2026

Escrima Sticks and Bo Staffs: A Complete Martial Arts Training Weapons Guide

Martial arts training weapons are serious pieces of equipment that deserve serious thought before purchasing. The material, length, weight, and intended use of a weapon determine how effective it is as a training tool and how long it lasts under the stresses of regular partner work and solo drilling. This guide covers two of the most commonly purchased categories in Australian martial arts schools: escrima sticks and bo staffs.

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Escrima Sticks: The Foundation of Filipino Martial Arts Training

Escrima (also called arnis or kali) is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines. It is a weapons-based combat system in which practitioners train with rattan sticks, knives, and improvised weapons before progressing to open-hand techniques. The escrima stick is the defining training tool of this system.

Material options

Rattan escrima sticks: rattan is the traditional material and remains the most widely used. Natural rattan is light, flexible, and shock-absorbing, which means it withstands repeated impact without shattering. Its slight give on contact makes it safer for partner drilling than harder materials. Rattan sticks typically have a natural tan colouring and a segmented texture
Polypropylene escrima sticks: polypropylene or hardened plastic sticks are designed for training applications where maximum durability is the priority. They are heavier than rattan, do not split or crack, and can withstand direct ground impact without damage. They are the preferred option for beginners who are developing control and for training environments where sticks are shared across many users
Foam padded escrima sticks: foam padded sticks over a solid core allow full-speed contact training without the injury risk of solid rattan. They are the best choice for schools introducing escrima to children or for practitioners who want to develop realistic timing and distance without the bruising that comes from rattan partner work

Sizing escrima sticks

The standard escrima stick length is 28 inches (approximately 71cm), which suits most adult practitioners. Length is a personal preference in experienced players: shorter sticks (24 inches) are preferred for close-range work and speed drilling, while longer sticks offer more reach. For children and junior students, 24-inch sticks are more appropriate.

Buying sticks for a club: For a club purchasing escrima sticks to equip training sessions, rattan sticks in the 28-inch standard length represent the best value for most applications. Purchasing a small number of foam padded sticks for junior classes and introductory sessions alongside the rattan inventory gives the school flexibility across its programme.

Bo Staffs: The Signature Weapon of Okinawan Karate Kobudo

The bo (also written as bo-jutsu staff or rokushaku-bo) is a six-foot hardwood staff that is one of the principal weapons of Okinawan kobudo, the traditional weapons system practiced alongside karate. It is also used in several Chinese martial arts and in modern tournament competition. Morgan Sports carries bo staffs in multiple wood types and sizes to suit different training applications.

Wood types for bo staffs

Red oak: the most popular material for competition and training bo staffs. Red oak is dense, heavy, and durable. The weight provides significant resistance training for the arms and shoulders during solo drills, and the mass provides momentum in spinning techniques. Red oak staffs come in both parallel (same diameter throughout) and tapered versions
White oak: slightly lighter than red oak with a pale, clean finish. White oak is highly regarded for competition kata performance because it produces a clean visual line and a sharp sound on the floor on downward strikes. Chinese white oak is a common variant with a slightly different grain density
Rattan: a natural rattan bo staff is lighter and more flexible than hardwood, which makes it appropriate for practitioners who are building technique before transitioning to heavier hardwood staffs. The flexibility also makes it safer for partner work

Jo staffs: the shorter alternative

The jo (jodo staff) is a shorter hardwood staff approximately 128cm (4 feet) in length, originating from the Japanese martial art of jojutsu. It is used in aikido, kendo-adjacent arts, and several police defensive tactics systems. Jo staffs are bought from the same range as bo staffs but are a distinct weapon with different techniques.

Sizing bo staffs

The traditional length for a bo staff is 182cm (approximately 6 feet), which roughly corresponds to the height of the practitioner. Some schools size the bo to reach the practitioner's eyebrow or forehead level when standing upright. Competition staffs must meet the length requirements of the relevant governing body, so confirm specifications before purchasing for tournament use.

Weapon	Material	Length	Best for
Escrima stick	Rattan	28 inches standard	Filipino martial arts, general club training
Escrima stick	Polypropylene	28 inches	High-durability training, shared club use
Escrima stick	Foam padded	24 to 28 inches	Children, contact sparring, beginners
Bo staff	Red oak	182cm (6 ft)	Karate kobudo, competition, conditioning
Bo staff	White oak	182cm (6 ft)	Competition kata, performance
Bo staff	Rattan	182cm (6 ft)	Beginner technique, partner work
Jo staff	Red or white oak	128cm (4 ft)	Aikido, jojutsu, police tactics

Caring for Wooden Training Weapons

Store bo staffs and jo staffs horizontally on a weapons rack to prevent warping under their own weight
Occasionally apply a light coat of boiled linseed oil or furniture oil to prevent drying and cracking, particularly in air-conditioned or heated environments
Inspect for splinters before each training session and sand any rough spots to prevent hand injuries
Replace rattan escrima sticks when they show significant splitting at the ends, as fractured rattan becomes a hazard in partner drilling

Morgan Sports stocks weapon carry bags and cases suitable for transporting bo staffs, jo staffs, and escrima sticks to and from training.

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Morgan Sports: Direct B2B pricing. Escrima sticks, bo staffs, and the full martial arts weapon range. Contact us for school orders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can escrima sticks be used for beginners?
- Yes, with appropriate supervision. Foam padded escrima sticks are specifically designed for introductory training and partner drilling where contact is part of the learning. Rattan sticks are appropriate for students who have developed basic control, while polypropylene sticks are the most durable for shared club inventory. All stick work requires appropriate protective equipment and qualified instruction.
How do I choose between a tapered and a parallel bo staff?
- Tapered bo staffs are thicker in the centre and taper toward both ends, which shifts the balance point toward the centre of the weapon. This is the traditional shape of most Okinawan kobudo bo staffs. Parallel staffs have the same diameter throughout, making them heavier at the ends and providing more momentum in strikes. Most competition kata specifications require a tapered bo.
Does Morgan Sports supply weapons to martial arts schools in bulk?
- Yes. Morgan Sports operates as a direct B2B wholesaler with no minimum order requirements. Schools can order the specific quantities they need whether that is five rattan escrima sticks for a beginner class or a full set of bo staffs for a competition team. Contact the Morgan Sports team to discuss your school's specific requirements and receive wholesale pricing.

Escrima Sticks and Bo Staffs: A Complete Martial Arts Training Weapons Guide

Escrima Sticks and Bo Staffs: A Complete Martial Arts Training Weapons Guide

Escrima Sticks: The Foundation of Filipino Martial Arts Training

Material options

Sizing escrima sticks

Bo Staffs: The Signature Weapon of Okinawan Karate Kobudo

Wood types for bo staffs

Jo staffs: the shorter alternative

Sizing bo staffs

Caring for Wooden Training Weapons

Frequently Asked Questions

Can escrima sticks be used for beginners?

How do I choose between a tapered and a parallel bo staff?

Does Morgan Sports supply weapons to martial arts schools in bulk?

Leave a comment

Wholesale Access

Escrima Sticks and Bo Staffs: A Complete Martial Arts Training Weapons Guide

Escrima Sticks and Bo Staffs: A Complete Martial Arts Training Weapons Guide

Escrima Sticks: The Foundation of Filipino Martial Arts Training

Material options

Sizing escrima sticks

Bo Staffs: The Signature Weapon of Okinawan Karate Kobudo

Wood types for bo staffs

Jo staffs: the shorter alternative

Sizing bo staffs

Caring for Wooden Training Weapons

Frequently Asked Questions

Can escrima sticks be used for beginners?

How do I choose between a tapered and a parallel bo staff?

Does Morgan Sports supply weapons to martial arts schools in bulk?

Leave a comment

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