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.
I ordered 2 so I can work on my coordination skills. Because these are small enough to use indoors, they can stand in for practicing club and mace movents when it is too hot, cold, or wet to practice outside.
I ordered this for shaolin style workouts. I also have a simple round bamboo Jo, but I am completely in love with the octagon shape. This is a very happy addition to my toolbox.