Durable Sticks

[JPR]

Where do you purchase your “hard banging” sticks? I often just get what ever sticks are in the school’s store here (usually the century stuff), and these work ok for light contact. However, when we swing for power, these sticks immediately begin to break down and fray and need a duc tape treatment. I am looking for sticks that will take a repeated moderate to heavy beating with out me having to do the mummy treatment to them.

Jerry

[Danny T]

Over the past 16 years I have purchased sticks from most all the usual
sources. Have had only 1 pair of rattan last for more than 3 hard sessions. Skin on, Skin off, Treated, Fire-hardened or what have you. The only sticks which lasted were sticks we got from Lionheart (no longer in business) and they only lasted for 5 sessions before they broke down. That is was is great about rattan and why it is used for training sticks. They fray rather than splinter and are quite forgiving when you get hit by them. Most all sticks we get last for a couple of hard session and then we us new ones. When actually sparring hard I seldem go beyond 2 or 3 rounds with the same rattan. Just remember the harder the rattan the less forgiving when on the receiving end. We purchase sticks form Frank's Cane by the bundle.

Danny

[sames]

At Frank's Cane, what diameter are you using? I got one of just about every diameter I thought worth trying (skin on and skin off). Its largely personal preference but I'm curious which way other people go?

[Danny T]

[quote=sames]At Frank's Cane, what diameter are you using? [quote]

Mostly 1" diameter. Franks will cut, round off the ends and bundle them. Takes about a week to get them. Good people to work with.

Danny

[Sheldon Bedell]

Most of what I use for practice is maple or oak
I have a few Rattan also
Anyone ever use Ironwood

[lhommedieu]

You might also try:

http://www.caningshop.com/

http://www.bambooandrattan.com/index.htm

Best,

Steve Lamade

[lhommedieu]

Most of what I use for practice is maple or oak
I have a few Rattan also
Anyone ever use Ironwood

Cf. http://northshoreac.com/san_miguel_eskrima/training_resources.htm

Scroll down about 3/4 of the page, to where it says "Exotic Hardwood Sticks."

I'm very happy with the custom sticks and daggers that Mark made for me. The prices may be a little more now then they were when I made the link - but I still think that they are well worth the money.

I like using the ironwood sticks for practicing basics because it is so heavy. You're forced to use good mechanics or you can't swing them for too long.

Best,

Steve

[SAL]

Some of the most durable sticks I have ever used are rattan with the skin on. The skin varies in thickness and the ones that have raised lines running down the length are the best and thickest.

Anything without the skin is just firewood.

Hardwood sticks are great for building hand speed due to their weight but when training with them they tear up other peoples rattan and if you are using hardwood against hardwood the shock and vibration go right to your elbow.
Tim Hartman always seems to have some thick skinned rattan in stock but you still have to pick and choose for weight and diameter.

SAL

[Cruentus]

Warriors Den has great, durable rattans sticks: http://wdsupplies.com/store/

I personally think the hardwood sticks are overrated, especially for practicing as they are bad for the joints with repeated impact.

Paul

[Datu Tim Hartman]

Jerry-

Did you see the sticks I just sent to Mr Scott? I think you might want to check them out.

:bow:

[JPR]

I have not seen them yet, but I will check them out this week.

Thanks for the heads up.

Jerry

[ryangruhn]

While there is never going to be a replacement for rattan allow me to suggest a stand-in. Rattan no matter how nice, treated, hardened, etc will always break down. It does however hold an esthetic value that few if any Filipino Martial Artists will ever give up. Durattan™ will be the answer to most of your problems, no fraying, taping, etc. More to come on this in the near future!


Gruhn

[JPR]

Jerry-

Did you see the sticks I just sent to Mr Scott? I think you might want to check them out.

:bow:

Mr. Hartman,

My children (bless them) bought me a pair of your sticks for Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing how they hold up. One thing I noticed from the start is that they feel much denser than most of the other rattan I have handled.

I am also looking forward to hearing more about the durattan when they come out.

Jerry

[JPR]

Well, the Christmas sticks I received have been in use for about 3 months now and I thought I would follow up.

These are the best sticks I have ever had. They are holding up really well and show no signs of wear even after being used to hit relatively hard. I also really appreciate the grip-ability of the unvarnished rattan. Even with sweaty hands I can keep a good hold of the stick.

Mr. Hartman, I congratulate you on sending me a fine pair of sticks.

JPR

[Datu Tim Hartman]

You're welcome. I know how hard it is to find good sticks. Sometimes bad batches come in, but I try my best to produce above average products.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Good job Tim,

I will have to check out your sticks sometime.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[kabaroan]

My instructor teaches with 1" to 1.25" diameter plastic sticks cut from rod stock available from Interstate Plastics (www.interstateplastics.com (http://www.interstateplastics.com)). Just about as indestructible as you can get.

If you have the Mark Wiley books FILIPINO FIGHTING ARTS or FILIPINO MARTIAL CULTURE, the illustrations of GM Estalilla and his son demonstrating the art are with the the white sticks (sorry, I can't recall what the name is) taped up (more for aesthetics and identification than anything else).