The Quarterstaff

[Nathan Dexter]

I'm becoming very interesed in the quarterstaff, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me som specks, and info. And how I should get a staff. (should I just go to menards or something and buy one or what) I also will put out my order for fighting with the quarterstaff.
Thanks for the help.

[Jeffrey Hull]

I would say a decent guide would be to get a staff of hardwood with resilency, like ash or hickory.

Diameter somewhere between 3/4 to 1 1/4 inch.

Length, 5 to 8 feet (I guess that depends on how big or small the person in question may be).

Do not get thing with both ends tapered (like some Asian staves), but equal diametered, although either round or octagonal cross-section as you prefer.

Maybe some of the staff fanatics would have advice beyond that.

[Stacy Clifford]

Most places sell 6 ft. staves. If you want anything longer, you probably have to order it from a good hardwood store. Ash or hickory are good, but I think 3/4" is too thin. 1" - 1-1/4" is about right. I prefer 1-1/4". Keep in mind that as modern day practitioners we have to be able to transport these things to practice, so you probably don't want one too long if it won't fit in your car.

If you want to use Silver's "perfect length", hold the staff straight up and down next to your body, reach up and grab it as high as you can over your head, then add the width of your grip (the distance between your hands in low guard or pflug).

[Nathan Dexter]

Are there any good online scources that would be good to look into?

[Shane Smith]

I agree that 3/4" is way too thin. I prefer at least 1 1/4" and have no problems with 1 1/2".

[Shane Smith]

Swetnam is a pretty good source for staff and Stacy gave an excellent presentation on his work in Houston recently. Have a look around here near the bottom; http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/swetnam.htm

[Jeffrey Hull]

Yeah, 3/4 in. was probably a bad suggestion on my part.
I would definitely want a larger diameter staff.
Maybe if you needed to start out an 11 year-old kid with his/her first staff. So with that caveat now noted

[CMears]

For ease of transport, might I also suggest using a good-quality brass screw joint, such as that used for flag poles. Important to note is a deep shank (I believe that's the correct term). My father made several staves like that for use in karate with great success.

[JeffGentry]

I have an 1 1/4 and think it is too thin, It does work it is just not as sturdy as i would like, I am with John on the 1 1/2.

Jeff

[Ken Dietiker]

I have also become recently interested in the staff, but alas, practice partners in 'anything' around my area are hard to come by (rather impossible really).

A good book to get is, "Fighting with the Quarter Staff", David Lindholm. (good beginner's resource though pictures are sometimes poor quality).

For a staff, martial arts supply stores only sell them at 6' max but you can get straight, non-tappered ones. For a longer one I recommend "Custom Bo Staffs" from which you can order one up to 9 feet long (for a pole weapon I suppose) at your desired diameter and material.

http://www.bostaff.com/index.html

I don't recommend Ash if your going to do much sparring with it as the surface tends to flake. Oak, Hikory, or English Thorn are best (though thorn may be hard to get. Lindholm's book also explains how to make your own staff but there's a trade off with the time involved.

Cheers!
Ken