I was SUPER excited when I ordered this bo. I've been out of the game for 15 years. Now that i'm back in every purchase is more exiting than it was in my teens. The disappointment when i took the bo out of the box was a little rough. Shipping was fast and the box, if straight, would be exactly what I was expecting and wanted. My first thought as I noticed the defect was, "wonderful a few other reviews said they had to wait a month or more for the replacement process." I just called, they were closed. I wrote an email and am waiting with great anticipation to see what the next move will be and if hoops will need to be jumped through. Update 24 hours later: I am amazed at the response. No hoops needed. They said discard the one I received and they would send another asap. All I can say is WHOA!! Even if the bo splits down the road you can't knock this company. The prices, helpful videos and customer service allows you to order with confidence. I'm a fan!   

Watched several other students break lighter bo s during "normal" training while my "hardwood!!!!" bo took the beating. But if you tend to break your bo then this one is for you, its tough.

I like the heaver weight some of you may not its a matter of taste. I find it easer to use due to the extra weight.   

I've owned quite a few bos in my lifetime and this one is by far the best. With a perfect balance of weight and size, the 6 foot felt very natural. I wouldn't use this bo as a demonstration piece - this is a real weapon and can be used as such if the need arises. If you want a REAL bo staff and not a toy to show off your flashy forms, then buy this one.  

I bought 16 of these bo's and my students used them for fighting and we havent broken 1 yet. Amazingly durable, higly recommended.  

Karate Depot.com did a great job shipping my order. Now for the overseas factory that makes these - it would seem like a 50/50 chance of getting a bo staff with flaws or a bo staff that does not show any at all. My order has flaws like one deep nick and two horizontal chips and whats worse is a growth ring starting to split. My hand slide on the split and I was rewarded with a little cut on the plam of the hand. sigh... I believe more quality control would be nice and I wouldn't mind paying more if it would mean getting a good bo staff with out major flaws like growth ring failure.   

I just got this bo a week ago, and I have practiced with it 4 or 5 times since then. During my 2nd pratice I got a splinter in my hand from the bo. Now, Here we are a week later, and it snapped like a tooth pick during practice tonight. looks like everyone else got a good one, but I can't say the same for mine. I have been practicing martial arts for almost 30 years. I bought this bo because I wanted a heavy bo that could take a beating. I got a heavy bo that put a splinter in my hand and breaks like a pencil. Looks like I'll be shopping for a different bo.   

Ordered 2 red oak bo staffs 08/17/15 the receive date was 08/25/15 I received them today 5 days early. they were well packaged and arrived in good in great condition. I am recovering from major back surgery which required titanium rods and repurposed 1 for a weapon /balance walking stick. I cut it to 4 1/2 feet wrapped 12 in. on one end with para cord and used a rubber furniture foot on the other end. bo has always been my favorite weapon> this thing worked perfectly. The weight is perfect with great balance and what a surprise for a potential attacker. Great Service and a superior quality product.
THANKS   

Looks very sturdy and is able to take hits. I am happy with this. Did not want to spend 200$ on a BO so bought this. love it.  

This is my first bo and I am very impressed. The weight and quality of the bo is simply brilliant. I couldn't have hoped for something better. I can see that this may become "my bo" that is with me for years and years to come!  

Very nice bow for the price red oak fairly straight grained and not warped heavy and strong the wood is unfinished and it seemed a bit dry when I got it so I treated it with olive oil and it is even more beautiful now since it is unfinished it is much easier to handle with sweaty hands  

This is my first order from KD I just received it today, and the first thing I noticed is that it is warped. When laid on a flat surface one end bows away by almost an inch. Its a nice heavy bo and seems like it would be pretty strong, there were a few rough spots,splinters but nothing major. I would have been a 5 out of 5 it were straight. I think it will be alright for training and heavy contact.  

I bought the Straight Hardwood Bo for my son, I know nothing about the differences. He is now the envy of his martial arts class and everyone has taken turns with the staff. It's heavier than the ones he was practicing with, so he's had to get accustomed to that, but otherwise he loves it, his instructor loves it, and evidently I made a great choice! Score one for mom!  

I was really surprised at the weight of this staff, when you work with this staff the momentum generated tends to take on a mind of it's own,A heavy staff like this is great for building muscle and technique at a slower rhythm or pace, Train with this heavier staff then pick up a lighter wax wood staff and you will really be surprised at the control and speed you are capable of. all and all I say this is a five star staff with five star Karate Depot service  

I ordered and received (in excellent condition) both the 5' & 6' Bo. My objective being to practice forms (naturally) and build up my strength and stamina. I prefer to practice slower and more meditatively than my younger counterparts. The red oak Bo is perfect for this 60 year old body. Thank you!  

The first one I received in the mail was warped and contorted like crazy, but I told KD about this and I received a new Bo within 3 days. The Bo is strong and heavy. It stands up to a lot of abuse and is good for all techniques. I would recommend this Bo to stronger people, but if you are a smaller individual, just don't get discouraged if you tire easily. This isn't a wax wood Bo or a toothpick, they are for sale elsewhere.   

Doing spinning exercises, caught the ground and it snapped in half. Did not hit the ground that hard. Used maybe 6 times. :-(  

I ordered 2 of these staffs. One for my son and one for myself. We are very pleased with the product and the service from karate depot. I highly recommend both.  

Really nice and solid Red Oak bo, absolutely straight and no cracks or imperfections. Much heavier than the pine dowel staff I had been using, feels like the real thing and looks like it, too. Wonderful customer service, packing and shipping, arriving earlier than scheduled despite snow storms up and down the coast. Highly recommend this company.  

Very happy with quality! Impressed with the fast shipping as well.  

I have ordered 2 of these to be used as spear shafts. they are absolutely perfect, nice and sturdy. they have a good weight to them as well, something I like for spears. when I build a new spear I have found no reason to consider any other options.  

This was part of my first order from Karate Depot, and so far, no complaints. The box was pretty banged up, but I imagine it's hard to ship a 6' stick in cardboard without some wear on the box. My order arrived in 3 days with standard free shipping. The bo staff is solid, heavy and smooth but not slippery. It's personal preference and depends on what you're using it for whether you get a 5' or 6' and if a hardwood staff or a lighter weight staff works for you. I'm 5'3", but started working with a 6' bo, and have no problems with it. If this one fits your needs, it's worth every penny!  

Received it super quick. The bow is well balanced and is very sturdy. If you are getting this to be super quick with. . . g'luck. I am 5'11, 170 and it is perfect for me. I'm getting back into staffs now and this is perfect to build not only your muscle, but your endurance up. It is very heavy though compared to other staffs.

Do you want to build yourself up and focus on speed? If deciding whether or not to go with a staff like this vs. a lighter tapered staff like the white wax lotus tapered, or graphite tapered staff my advice is this; get this staff first and practice daily or as much as you can. THEN, transfer over to a lighter tapered (if preferred) staff and it will fill like your holding nothing in comparison. 'Course if you want a heavy staff that can take a beating than this is the one as well. I would NOT recommend this staff for full contact unless your pulling hits or padded up like the stay puffed marshmallow man because it's heavy and there will be substantial force behind an impact. I have not tested this staff out with impact, just form and technique.  

I received my Straight Hardwood Bo earlier than expected along with a Red Oak Bo Staff(But I already posted a different review for the Red Oak Bo Staff), which made me happy. I opened the package to my liking, with basically what i expected. I picked it up and found it to have a decent weight to it, but when i picked up the Red Oak Bo Staff i found that the Hardwood Bo was lighter than the Red Oak Staff. That was disappointing. I bought it hoping it would be heavier. Honestly i didn't mind too much, it still seemed strong and ready for some good training. That was until i found two deep scratches in the center and a big crack between the both of them; and to make it worse the crack was filled with wood putty. It's pretty obvious that i got a bad batch, this Bo will snap in two if i put force into my strikes.   

A brief word about KarateDepot: The Bo Staff I ordered came warped, but they sent a perfect replacement the minute I alerted them of the issue and it arrived just as quickly as the first. These guys are excellent!

Now for the Bo Staff: I am beginning training in the Bo Staff and this is my first Bo (along with a lighter toothpick Bo) and I must say that this one is just HARDCORE! You can feel the quality the moment you heft it and it permits fantastic control in your kata. It feels so solid, it shows no promise of breaking anytime soon. It's a good 3-4 pounds (it IS solid Red Oak after all) and induces a serious burn in the arms when training, excellent for building arm strength. I'm looking forward to the sore arms and a better, more controlled kata. I highly recommend this Bo!  

A brief word about KarateDepot: The Bo Staff I ordered came warped, but they sent a perfect replacement the minute I alerted them of the issue and it arrived just as quickly as the first. These guys are excellent!

Now for the Bo Staff: I am beginning training in the Bo Staff and this is my first Bo (along with a lighter toothpick Bo) and I must say that this one is just HARDCORE! You can feel the quality the moment you heft it and it permits fantastic control in your kata. It feels so solid, it shows no promise of breaking anytime soon. It's a good 3-4 pounds (it IS solid Red Oak after all) and induces a serious burn in the arms when training, excellent for building arm strength. I'm looking forward to the sore arms and a better, more controlled kata. I highly recommend this Bo!  

This is a solid oak bo that is not light like many cheaper bos. We do have an two almost identical bo in our dojo that with one feeling 1/2 the weight of this one and the other twice the weight.

Straight and nicely finished.  

I ordered this hardwood bo to customize into a sturdy walking/hiking staff. I searched many sights offering pre-customized and found most to have over-priced, under-sized products. After reading reviews I decided on this one - and believe me, the customer service raves helped with the decision. Happily, I haven't needed customer service as the staff arrived before the expected delivery date and well packed, and perfectly straight. And this review is being written because of an email I received today, several weeks after delivery, just checking to make sure everything was good with the order and asking for contact if I was in any way dissatisfied. Now you don't get service like that many places. I appreciate it, am satisfied, and will definitely remember it!  

I bought the 5 ft version. It is very thick and quite heavy, but it really doesn't seem as though it's going to break, ever! Not exactly light & nimble, but certainly very sturdy!  

I can say I was very excited to purchase this bo. It is the heaviest/thickest I could find. I want a few of the heaviest to have for both practice & self-defense, if need be. So, I purchased this one d/t being the heaviest. The order was delivered before it was said to with the tracking #, which is great. I pulled it out of the container & immediately I could tell one end of the bo is severely warped. My instructor can get them for me from my dojo for half of the cost, but I am not sure it will be as heavy, so I wanted to give Karate Depot a chance. Unless I can get a replacement, as I see on some of these reviews that the customer service seems great, I will not purchase again from this company. I am also in need of a new gi & was considering purchasing from here, but will wait to see how the company remedies the bo situation. There are also 2 rough spots on the bo that feel like they could slice my hand if moved just right.   

This is a substantial Bo!! Much better than the type at our Dojo.
It is a heavier Bo than I am used to, however that makes me feel I will get stronger!   

I've been training with this bo for several years now. It is incredibly strong and can take a beating, even from sais. Side note- we had a freak occurrence where I hit the brakes and this bo flew out my car window. It was run over by a truck coming the opposite way- no problem at all for this staff! This is an excellent choice for beginners who want to build up their wrist strength. Work with the red oak staff for a year and then be amazed when you pick up a waxwood staff and you have really great strength and speed. Overall, a great staff!  

I like the prompt delivery, and I like the bo and the price.   

okay i was wondering im 14 and im only 5/6' what size bo should i get a 5' or a 6'??? thatnk  

Wrote good review on this bo but after 4 uses by my 13 year old daughter, one of the two bos cracked in half. Bo ordered about 2 weeks ago My daughter is less than 100 pounds so the force she can exert should not have cracked bo. Looked at cracked part. Doesn't seem to be knot inside or out. Not Karate Depot's fault but believe it is a manufacturer's defect. Will be contacting Karate Depot to see what they can do for me.  

Ordered this just the other day, and I was surprised at how quickly it was delivered. It's in perfect condition. THANKS FOR THE GREAT SERVICE!  

Bought 2 5 foot bos for my 13 yr old daughter and her sensei to use.
Good overall quality. Had ordered a 6 foot bo from here about 4 years ago. This bo is of better quality and the finish is much better than the one I ordered previously. Would give these bos a 5 star but one bow is curved on one end. If bo was lathed and finished at factory,I would expect the ends to be strait with no curve. Bo is on the heavier side. For the money, you can't go wrong with this bo. It will serve it's purpose.
  

I loved working with this company! Very quick shipping, excellent quality Bo Staff. Would definitely work with them again.  

I'm just learning the bo staff, and was practicing at first with a friend's which was bamboo. After purchasing this one for myself, I adjusted to the heavier red oak after about a day. This bo is simple, seems great so far, and is a great deal.

Also, I'm a 5'2" female, purchased the 6 ft. bo, and can use it fairly easily. But I feel that if it were just a few inches shorter, it'd be perfect. I'm debating whether to attempt cutting it down a bit.  

I bought this bo about 2 years ago, and have used it since on a weekly basis. The staff has been bowed quite intensely for about a year now, but is still holding up. I really like the heavy weight and the power it brings.  

I was looking for a bo that would actually feel like a real quarterstaff weapon. It is nice and heavy, but no too heavy. Comes in raw wood finish, so you can seal it with your favorite sealer or waxing technique. Feels very solid for contact work. Something you can actually depend on.  

Straight Hardwood Bo $19.95 ea.

(Estimated Delivery: Tuesday, August 9) $55.98

I live in Europe...

Todays date is 19 July...  

Was excited that, even with S+H, this bo would've been less expensive than other sites I've checked. Would've loved to try out the staff I'd ordered. Sent for a 6 ft straight hardwood staff. Received a 5 ft metal tapered staff with green accents. Customer is responsible for return shipping.  

I ordered this staff for training. It arrived promptly and was as advertized. I am using it for training and am very satified. The weight of the oak give my wrists a nice workout and help me maintain flexibility. Very nice.  

Very Nice Bo. Fast Shipping. Great Job Karate Depot!!  

I bought the 6 foot version of this staff; at first I was annoyed because the management got my address screwed up, so I didn't get it shipped when I expected it to be here (which explains why I gave 4 stars).

But anyway, when it did get here, I was surprised at the quality of the staff. I really like the texture and toughness of the bow. And, it was a lot heavier than I expected it would be; it wasn't HEAVY, but just heavier than expected. But its a pretty good bow, and I'm glad I bought it.  

This bo is solid wood that greatly exceeded my expectations. When I cut it down to a shorter length the wood was really dense and hard. It is heavier than other bo's that I've used, but when I train with this and then pick up a lighter one I can definitely tell a difference in speed and accuracy. If I ever wear this one out or break it (huge "IF") I will definitely buy another one. And it only took 4 days to get here instead of the two weeks that was estimated for shipping.   

This bo is solid wood that greatly exceeded my expectations. When I cut it down to a shorter length the wood was really dense and hard. It is heavier than other bo's that I've used, but when I train with this and then pick up a lighter one I can definitely tell a difference in speed and accuracy. If I ever wear this one out or break it (huge "IF") I will definitely buy another one.  

This is my first bo staff. I have been using it for training for about 2 weeks now.
I am 6'4" and I was in need of a solid sturdy red oak staff that would be able to tolerate everyday use as well as suporting me as I learn my katas. Well this staff is so far been very good in all areas. I found it to be a solid and heavy staff I estimate weighing in at about 2.5 lbs. this is a desirable trait to me as I use my staff as a strengthening tool as well as a weapon and forms tool. I have noticed recently that my staff has begun to develop a few additional splits in the wood grain but as of this writing they have not posed an issue. I would suggest that this staff is not necessarily the best choice for practioners who are of a smaller body or lighter build they may find it a bit unwieldly or overly heavy. But for you bigger folks with a bit stronger upper bodies I would recommend this staff. I am new to this but I believe based upon the recommendation of my sifou that this is a very good tool. He was pleased with it when he saw it as well.  

I like the staff simply for what it is, a solid dependable stick. Good for Train and self defense. The delivery was also fine. I order it, if came, what else could you ask for?  

Long ago I purchased an ash wood staff, and to my disappointment, it became tragically warped, forming what I called the "smiley" part of a smiley face. However, this bo is far from the 'smiley staff', but instead, is a sturdy, abuse-accepting rod of red oak. It's weight is far more significant than my old, now broken, bo, and that is a boon in my eyes. I prefer something with some weight, as it helps improve my speed, strength, and stamina. Thankfully the finish is not overly glossy, or oily in feel, and the wood has been sanded to an almost marble-like smoothness, thus alleviating any fears of porcupine hands due to splinters.

A wonderful bo in many respects.  

Great bo! Straight, no knots or residue from stickers or anything. Sucker is very heavy, especially when compared to the tapered bo, which I recommend.

This bo is more suited for a stronger/bigger karate-ka than me, 155 lbs, 5'6", medium build.  

i ordered the 5 and 6 foot versions of this staff. the six footer is very heavy, strong, and has no warps or knots. this product on its own would recieve 5 stars. the five foot staff on the other hand leaves much to be desired (i purchased these with the intent to spar with them). it is extremely light, almost like its made of pine, and has severe knots. i leaned on it very gently to feel its sturdyness, and i feel i could have easily broken it. this bo has good balance, and i may use it for kata, but its quality is fair at best...3 stars  

I really enjoy using this! Great staff. It came in MUCH faster than expected. The packaging didn't last all the way; the Bo staff was slipping out from the top. (I didn't expect much as it came from the East coast all the way to the West.)

But there was no extreme damage. Just a few contact scratches.

In response to one of the reviews, I didn't see any stickers on the bo staff. It's good to know that Karate Depot takes our opinions into consideration.

All in all, 5 stars for great products and awesomely low shipping fees.

Thanks! I will be sure to shop from this site again if I need anything.   

This is my 1st Bo. I am 56 years old and deaf. A friend is trying to help me understand its vast uses. I feel more secure having it with me. This is a great weapon for me. I feel uncomfortable carrying a gun because if someone bumps me on the back of my head, they now have my gun. At least if they steal my bo, all they have is a piece of wood, and it also serves as a great walking stick.  

My son and I are very pleased. The bo arrived quickly and in perfect condition. The weight was good for training, and it is so well balanced it almost spins itself. I have taught martial arts and weapons use for over thirteen years, and I am impressed with Karate Depot's service. I will definitely shop here again.  

Excellent practice Bo. Sturdy, straight with enough weight to feel like a weapon. Weight felt about right for a practice Bo. Very good Bo for the price.   

This bo is a pure speed practice bo. It was my first bo so when I changed to a light weight GForce I was 10 times faster. Very durable. After 2 weeks of training in my garden using full contact strikes against trees the very tip broke off. I still use it when I am strength training. It is around 3 lbs for the 5 footer. Great starting Bo due to its durability, weight and price.  

This hardwood bo (oak) arrived in excellent condition. It seems very sturdy, and you can't beat the price (total was $20.90, including shipping!). I definitely recommend it. If you need a bo for a martial arts class, make sure to check with your sensei what makes sense for you.   

The weapon arrived a little late and was a bit heavier than I thought it would be, but all in all it is a good weapon to train with.  

it's a good product.  

I was a bit disappointed with this item. First it was packaged poorly so it was damaged in shipping (a large dent about a foot from one end that actually caused a slight bend at that spot).

Also I regret not looking it over thoroughly before using it. There turned out to be a small crack where the wood stuck out a bit. It took a small chunk of skin out of my hand within 10 min of use.

The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because both the item and the shipping were inexpensive.  

I ordered a straight hardwood bo and it came 3 days early it was nice and clean, I've had 1 come to me before (from a different store) and it looked like it had just been varnished and started splitting in days, anyway this is a nice bo but I found it a little light for me mind you though it has a nice thickness and feel. Don't be put off by my 3 star I am just a bit hard to please (so some may say) . Thanks KarateDepot!  

This lasted a long time for me, I've had it for a few months and it hasn't cracked yet. I highly recommend it, and am thinking of ordering a few more for my club.  

Excellent item, nice and straight and strong. Heavier than some bo, but that leads to stronger arms and better control. An all around great item and only a fraction of the cost of other places.  

I found this product excellent, although it was very heavy, The strength of this product meant that it will have good use and be around for a long time. If you're looking for a bo, I advise you to consider this one.  

This is my first bo, and I really like the weight of it. It shipped in a cardboard tube, which was more to protect the finish than the bo as it's made very solid. The sticker on the bo came off pretty easily with Goo-B-Gone.  

This bo is a little heavy. Very hard to do one-handed techniques. But using it will help you when you move to a competition bo. Over all good quality and workmanship.  

This is a great product. It's a bit heavier than I thought it would be, but overall I am very happy with it. It gives you a great workout.  

This Bo arrived in perfect condition. Only thing I did not like was the warning/caution sticker that was glued to the Bo directly and not the plastic covering protecting the Bo. With some Adhesive remover, I was able to clean the sticker's residue off. The Bo is on the heavy side. So it will build arm strength as you use it. Trying to use speed exercises with this Bo may be difficult considering it's weight. It's definitely strong and I will buy another one when need be.  

Practicing with this bo (I purchased the 6' version) will only increase your bo skills and speed. It is a bit heavier than other bos I have used and also thicker. More traditional than a competetion type bo, and highly recommended to train with. Also, when you consider shipping is a flat $2.95 for anything, you can't beat it.  

My son is currently working on his 3rd degree brown belt and is very satisfied with his new Straight Hardwood Bo from Karate Depot.com The weight of the weapon is just right for him and the balance is perfect. To our surprise, our order arrived a day early as well! Thank you for your quality products and quick shipping - we look forward to future orders with such an excellent company!!  

I must say that I greatly enjoyed using this weapon. It lasted a very long time, sparring. It only cracked down the middle when I did a large overhead swing, missed and smacked the ground pretty hard.

It was very light, and very durable. I think I'll need to buy a few more  

I can say that this is a great weapon. Perfect for my use as a tournament weapon, where I keep slamming the bo to the concrete floor, and hasn't cracked yet.

I had this same bo for 3 yrs and finally replacing it. It is so durable.

It arrived on time, but I was unsure I order the correct size due to the internet always refreshing. So I sent it back to Karate Depot, and they keep denying recieving the weapon until a month later. So after 2 months later, I finally recieve the correct size.

Other than the service, this weapon is the best. I can say though, this is the first time I had a problem with Karate Depot services.  

I can say that this is a great weapon. Perfect for my use as a tournament weapon, where I keep slamming the bo to the concrete floor, and hasn't cracked yet.

I had this same bo for 3 yrs and finally replacing it. It is so durable.

It arrived on time, but I was unsure I order the correct size due to the internet always refreshing. So I sent it back to Karate Depot, and they keep denying recieving the weapon until a month later. So after 2 months later, I finally recieve the correct size.

Other than the service, this weapon is the best. I can say though, this is the first time I had a problem with Karate Depot services.  

I can say that this is a great weapon. Perfect for my use as a tournament weapon, where I keep slamming the bo to the concrete floor, and hasn't cracked yet.

I had this same bo for 3 yrs and finally replacing it. It is so durable.

It arrived on time, but I was unsure I order the correct size due to the internet always refreshing. So I sent it back to Karate Depot, and they keep denying recieving the weapon until a month later. So after 2 months later, I finally recieve the correct size.

Other than the service, this weapon is the best. I can say though, this is the first time I had a problem with Karate Depot services.