The bo staff is used in several martial arts and is essentially a long piece of well polished wood, resembling a pole.

How long a bo would be best for me?

Originally the bo staff was always approximately 6′ long. Modern martial artists however have generally found that a bo a few inches longer or shorter than they are works best for them. When deciding on a length, consider that a longer bo extends your reach, while a shorter bo is easier to manage.

How wide a bo staff would be best for me?

You should be able to close your fist around the center of the staff. Tapering has advantages but should not have a significant effect on the bo staff width you choose. Remember that wider staffs will always be heavier than the equivalent narrower staff.

Which bo staff is right for me?

That depends on what you are using it for.
For Demos:

For demonstrations you want a lighter bo which will allow you greater speed and easier changes of direction and preferably a bo with flash. G-Force makes the lightest bo’s and the Chrome Demonstration Bo Staff and the individually designed Multilens Demonstration Bo Staff are flashy and very slick.
If your demonstration will include ground strikes a more sturdy bo such as the traditional Carved Rattan Bo may be ideal.

For Combat Training:

Accidental combat during bo training hurts and unintentionally hard strikes can result in broken ribs and other serious injuries. Softer woods such as White Wax and Rattan are preferable to Oak or Hardwood staffs. The only bo designed for full-speed, full-force combat sparring is the ActionFlex Bo Staff.

For Strength and Stamina Training:
A heavier staff will help you increase your strength and speed, giving you an edge during future use. We recommend the Hardwood Bo Staff and the Youth Hardwood Bo Staff for their heavy weights and affordable prices, which is a nice plus since bos do break during training.

Other things to watch out for

Many sites charge a shipping surcharge on bo staffs. Be sure to factor the total cost of the bo including the shipping cost when deciding which retailer to purchase from.

Andrew Castillino has been practicing the martial arts for several years and is employed by Karate Depot Martial Arts Supplies as a writer and product specialist. His focus is martial arts weapons including the bo staff.

Copyright 2006 KarateDepot.com

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