I have some octagon cut that some are showing some gaps in the glue joint. Its only about 1/8" deep. So it will never split apart and based on my history will not get worse. Nice wood to swing around for practice or exercise, so I'm making it cheap.
It will be sanded but not oiled.
This series of staves are made with 2 layers of impact grade hickory laminated together to form a strong, straight and defect free staff. This is the best wood possible for martial arts use. The hickory is strong, yet it is flexible to not be brittle when struck against other equipment. We hand oil at least 2 coat of a boiled linseed/mineral spirits mixture.