Tapered Hardwood Bo Staff

The Tapered Hardwood Bo Staff is built for martial artists who demand both power and precision. Crafted from solid hardwood, this heavy-duty bo delivers the satisfying heft of a traditional staff while its gentle taper provides faster handling and improved balance. Measuring a full inch at the center and narrowing to ¾ inch at the ends, it sheds nearly half a pound from our heaviest beech staff — giving you a weapon that strikes with authority yet moves fluidly through complex kata, blocks, and transitions.

A lineage of balance and adaptability

Used for centuries across Okinawan, Japanese, and other Asian martial arts, the bo staff evolved from everyday tools into one of the most versatile weapons in martial history. The tapered bo represents an evolution in design — redistributing weight toward the center for faster spins, quicker transitions, and reduced fatigue during extended practice. Many warriors and modern practitioners also value this type of staff for its dual-purpose potential as a foundation for longer polearms such as spears, glaives, and halberds, reflecting its adaptability through generations of combat and training.

Durable construction and versatile design

The Tapered Hardwood Bo Staff is constructed from select hardwood for maximum strength and longevity. At approximately 2 lbs, it remains classed as a “heavy hitter,” offering firm impact feedback and reliable rigidity during forms and drills. The smooth, polished surface provides excellent grip while allowing controlled sliding for transitions and thrusts. Its 1" center diameter tapers smoothly to ¾" ends, reducing weight while maintaining core stability. This staff also serves beautifully as a spear stave or polearm shaft for compatible spearheads and halberd heads — with only minor adjustments required — making it both a training weapon and a modular tool for historical or reenactment builds.