Eyebrow height staff from Chen Family Style Tai Chi Chuan after Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and Five Tigers Staff after Grandmaster Chen Qing Zhou. Ironwood staff (left); double tapered graphite shaft to the right - both with circular cross-sections.

Graphite two-piece (can be unscrewed for discrete travel) 'toothpick' staff on the left; Lau Gar waxwood staff (108 inches; most often associated with Hung Gar) on the right.

We will contrast a wushu competition staff with a regular wooden bo showing the differences between materials (waxwood, rattan, oak, ironwood, graphite); shapes (squared ends, one tapered end, two tapered ends) and round versus octagonal cross-sections.