The English Quarterstaff has got to be the most under appreciated melee weapons.
All it is is a 6-9ft hardwood pole sometimes with iron caps or spikes at either end. They aren’t the prettiest weapons and they are very difficult to spar safely with (my club uses rattan and a ton of protective gear).
Despite this quarterstaffs are massively effective. All the old masters agree.
a Man that rightly understands it, may bid defiance, and laugh at any other Weapon
Zack Wild - The English Master of Defence
For a historical example Richard Peeke famously fended off 3 rapierists at the same time killing one in the process. There is very little footage on the internet of quaterstaff vs multiple opponents so I decided to see if I could replicate this (hopefully minus the killing) and allowed my opponents to use daggers in their offhands.
//youtu.be/lEr_Xq9lkmU
Anyone else love the quarterstaff?
[QUOTE=Jim Giant;2880776]
Anyone else love the quarterstaff?[/QUOTE]
I don’t know about “quarterstaff” versus “staff”. Definitely someone with more information on the distinction would be welcome.
That said, I love the staff (around shoulder height) and have fought using it at Beat the Crap Out of Cancer, and at the Dog Brothers Gathering.
[QUOTE=Chili Pepper;2880787]I don’t know about “quarterstaff” versus “staff”. Definitely someone with more information on the distinction would be welcome.
That said, I love the staff (around shoulder height) and have fought using it at Beat the Crap Out of Cancer, and at the Dog Brothers Gathering.[/QUOTE]
We only use 6fters for safety and logistical reasons but there’s as much difference between the full size/weight weapons as there is between a montante and a katana. Saying quarterstaff also lets people know you’re training a European style. That being said there are still going to be a lot of similarities and all staves are awesome.
my first staff was a Cold Steel quarterstaff, an item they no longer make. It was a beast of a stick with a metal end cap, I eventually broke it in half after lots of hard contact with pells etc. I’m a staff fan; in tournaments where you could pick two sticks or one staff, I’d always pick the staff. I usually hike with one too, which has occasionally led to it being used as a hobo bindle.
[QUOTE=Permalost;2880802]my first staff was a Cold Steel quarterstaff, an item they no longer make. It was a beast of a stick with a metal end cap, [/QUOTE]
I know exactly which one you’re describing, because I have it too. The ferrule at the bottom went flying off one day (never did find it) and the top I’m saving for a different project. Still using the staff though - plenty tough rattan.
Any advice for where to get (or make) a full size/weight quarterstaff for good value?
I would imagine New Sterling Arms could do something like that.
[QUOTE=Jim Giant;2880829]Any advice for where to get (or make) a full size/weight quarterstaff for good value?[/QUOTE]
Material is the biggest factor. Gotta make sure its not too heavy or too weak and avoid something that will flex. From memory cold steel used plastic which is more durable and can be made perfectly without finding perfect timber then treating it.
(Saw a demo of their indian club (native american). That thing was brutal, smashed a motorbike helmet easily.)
[QUOTE=Kravbizarre;2885433]Material is the biggest factor. Gotta make sure its not too heavy or too weak and avoid something that will flex. From memory cold steel used plastic which is more durable and can be made perfectly without finding perfect timber then treating it.
(Saw a demo of their indian club (native american). That thing was brutal, smashed a motorbike helmet easily.)[/QUOTE]
I dread to think how much the shipping will be. Going to make something myself. Nothing suitible at homebase so going to try some timber supply shops and maybe a boating shop (use a barge pole). I’ve know a blacksmith who could make the end pieces for me.
What’s this Indian club? Got a link?
[QUOTE=Jim Giant;2885435]I dread to think how much the shipping will be. Going to make something myself. Nothing suitible at homebase so going to try some timber supply shops and maybe a boating shop (use a barge pole). I’ve know a blacksmith who could make the end pieces for me.
What’s this Indian club? Got a link?[/QUOTE]
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi_ldw-a8gw
Boating shop is a good idea, maybe buy a long oar and saw off the paddle?
[QUOTE=Kravbizarre;2885438]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi_ldw-a8gw
Boating shop is a good idea, maybe buy a long oar and saw off the paddle?[/QUOTE]
Yeah they’re pretty devastating, maybe on par with the destructive power of a quarterstaff but nowhere near enough range.
A quick google search found some for sale: http://www.woodenswords.com/Quarterstave_p/staff2.htm
Price isn’t too bad, really, considering you can pay like $100 for a waster.
[QUOTE=Jim Giant;2885439]Yeah they’re pretty devastating, maybe on par with the destructive power of a quarterstaff but nowhere near enough range.[/QUOTE]
Not to mention that a solid wood hand-carved oar is also a traditional martial arts weapon. When I was out doing some natural disaster response activities in some of the remote islands of Chuuk some of the rural islanders still made traditional hand carved oars from wood. Basically, if you ever get to handle a short wooden oar, you’ll realize how it could be used for self defense. No need to change an oar into something else in order to use it for martial arts.
[QUOTE=Wounded Ronin;2885451]A quick google search found some for sale: http://www.woodenswords.com/Quarterstave_p/staff2.htm
Price isn’t too bad, really, considering you can pay like $100 for a waster.[/QUOTE]
This one is perfect.
http://www.woodenswords.com/Quarterstave_p/staff14.htm
Unfortunately the shipping is way more than I’m willing to pay.
Home made quarterstaff
I used pine dowel from home depot a little sanding, stain and urethane it has worked well for about 2 years I followed the parameters in Dwight C. McLemore’s book THE FIGHTING STAFF which is a great read for anyone interested in the quarterstaff.
[QUOTE=MikeFoxtrot;2885482]I used pine dowel from home depot a little sanding, stain and urethane it has worked well for about 2 years I followed the parameters in Dwight C. McLemore’s book THE FIGHTING STAFF which is a great read for anyone interested in the quarterstaff.[/QUOTE]
Pine would be fine for practising techniques but it’s a bit light and would break don’t some of the hard tests I have in mind.
Pine
[QUOTE=Jim Giant;2885506]Pine would be fine for practising techniques but it’s a bit light and would break don’t some of the hard tests I have in mind.[/QUOTE]
Oh your probably right the hardest things I’ve hit with it was my punching bag and my buddies escrima sticks but not full contact oak, wax wood, or of course rattan would be best but at the time i was trying to get my moneys worth.
[QUOTE=MikeFoxtrot;2885523]Oh your probably right the hardest things I’ve hit with it was my punching bag and my buddies escrima sticks but not full contact oak, wax wood, or of course rattan would be best but at the time i was trying to get my moneys worth.[/QUOTE]
I want to get a feel for the historical weapon, training drills and try it full force against ballistic torsos. I use rattan for sparring, even that has caused some huge bruises and concussions.
Waxwood, although probably not historically used for quarterstaffs, is a good quarterstaff wood in my opinion. I’ve done hard 2 person sets with waxwood staves and they hold up well, while still being a little less flexible than rattan. They’re no fun to get hit with, but no quality staff is.