Hard Woods

A question was raised about which wood to make a bo out of would be the harderst wood and make the sturdiest bo. Would it be a variety of oak? How about other wooden weapons? What are the virtues of different kinds of wood as they relate to making weapons?

I'd be interesting in hearing this too...for example, which wood warps the least? I have a graphite bo which I love, but it just doesn't have the nice feel in your hands that the grip of wood does. For one thing, graphite can get pretty cold.

Ya the grade of the wood is important. I'm not sure what would be the best. Rattan must be good because a lot of things are made out of it. Warping and all that are things you have to look at when making a weapon. I'm no expert thats why I leave it up to the weapon makers.

Most of the American hardwoods can be used for weapons, however ash and hickory will have better durability because of their shock resistance. Ash would be my first choice. It's what baseball bats are made of. Hickory is commonly used for making handles for axes, hammers, etc. There are other factors in picking the right material, but we're not building pianos.

Keep in mind that harder wood is not always better. I personally do not want the hardest wood for my bo (and no offense but definately not metal). Imagine someone with a metal bo hitting another with a metal bo, all the shock of the blow must be absorbed by the blockers body. Now inagine a sturdy, but flexable material (like ratan). It will stand up to the blow, but a lot of the energy is absorbed through the flex of the bo.

 

You pratice too long with an inflexable bo, and your going to do some damage to your shoulders.

I like Chipboard

These are some sites on the property on american hardwoods.

 

http://www.hardwoodcouncil.com/

 

http://www.hardwood.org/default.asp

 

also when picking out wood you want to try to get the exact middle of the tree for a bo which is pretty impossible to find at your local menards. I hope you get what im saying.