Which Stick Is Best?

Traditional sticks used in the Philippines for training are made from 'Oway' rattan. Of course their are other types of rattan used in the Philippines, but this particular type is the most popular. Rattan sticks are usually first dried out in the sun and then cooked in flame to harden.



The skin should not be removed and cooked thoroughly to harden because 50% of the stick's strength resides in its skin. Although sanding the skin off does remove the imperfections it WILL severely weaken the stick!

However, some unscrupulous suppliers have been stocking semi-cooked skinned sticks to force you to replenish them more often! If your instructor is selling this kind beware, insist on 'FMA Direct' sticks as all our sticks are traditionally hand made, unskinned and only use the highest quality rattan from the Philippines.

Here at FMA Direct we make things to last at a price you can afford - we will NEVER stock inferior Non-Filipino Rattan!

Rattan sticks are used for tournaments and training and should not be confused with bamboo which is weaker and hollow. It is recommended that only rattan sourced from the Philippines is used for training as rattan from India or China has long proved to be inferior in terms of quality and strength due its type and lesser density.

Where is 'Oway' rattan sourced?
Oway rattan can only be found deep in the Philippines forest and is vine like, so is therefore not straight naturally. It not until it is heated that it can be straightened and hardened by hand - hence the reason why rattan sticks are more expensive than bamboo, because they require more work to manufacture, unlike bamboo which is much weaker, but quite straight naturally.

In the Philippines 'Kamagong' (iron wood) sticks are also used. However these are mainly used for combat and are not often used in training because they are made traditionally from hard 'Narra' wood which is brittle, rare and takes a long time to grow.

Which thickness is best?
The thickness of the stick is also another consideration, most Filipinos prefer their stick to be thin because they like to coil the fingers round for a firmer grip. However, some like having a thick stick sacrificing grip for extra weight. Many of you maybe be thinking ...well if I have a thin stick won't it break more easily? Not so! ...Because the sticks are so thin they are more flexible (elastic) so they absorb blows better and are less likely to fly out of your hand in a stick fight!

Which length is best?
The length of a stick is the final consideration, some Filipinos prefer their stick to be long for greater range and weight, however this is not without its disadavantages. Long sticks may have the range and greater weight, but what they make up for in this area they lose in terms of speed, control and close quarter ability.