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Rattan Manau Stave – Blank for Bow or Fighting Stick (approx. 30")
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Are you looking for the ideal material for your first bow-making project, or do you need an extremely durable weapon for martial arts training? This Manau Rattan stave is exactly what you need. Rattan is prized in the HEMA, reenactment, and maker communities for its incredible toughness and flexibility. Unlike regular wood, it has no growth rings but rather longitudinal fibers, making it virtually impossible to snap in a way that creates dangerous splinters. With a length of around 80 cm (approx. 30 inches), this blank is perfect for making a child's bow, a short recurve bow, or as a base for fighting sticks like those used in Escrima or Kali. If you want a material that forgives crafting mistakes and withstands hard training, Manau Rattan is the clear choice. Further product information ...
Rattan Manau Stave – Blank for Bow or Fighting Stick (approx. 30")
Versatile Use for Craftsmen and Fighters
This product is supplied as a raw blank. Its uses are surprisingly broad and depend entirely on your skill in shaping it:
- Bow Making: Thanks to its length of approx. 30-32 inches (78-81 cm), the stave is suitable for making short bows for children or crossbow prods. Rattan can be easily shaped and bent when heated with steam or a heat gun. It is the ideal material for beginner bowyers as it does not crack as easily as yew or ash.
- Fighting Sticks: In modern fencing, SCA, LARP, and Asian martial arts (Arnis, Escrima), rattan is used as a safe substitute for hardwood. Upon heavy impact, the rattan stick will fray ("broom out") but will not snap into sharp spikes that could injure an opponent.
- Hafts and Accessories: You can also use the blank as a durable handle for smaller tools or costume components.
Technical Parameters
| Material | Natural Rattan (Manau) |
| Length | approx. 78 – 81 cm (approx. 30" – 32") |
| Diameter | Mixed 2.8 – 4.2 cm (1.1" – 1.65") - Random selection |
| Surface | Raw, sometimes with skin, natural irregularities possible |
Historical Context and Trivia
Although rattan was not commonly available in medieval Europe (it is a climbing palm from the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia), today it is an indispensable part of historical fencing. It serves as a safe training simulator. In Asian history, particularly in the Philippines, rattan was the primary material for machete combat training to spare steel blades from dulling. Today, reenactors choose it when they need to make durable hafts for weapons that must withstand impacts that ordinary spruce or ash would not survive.
Care and Safety
Rattan is a natural material that needs care to serve you well for years:
- Surface Treatment: For increased longevity and better appearance, we recommend sanding the stave with fine sandpaper and treating it with linseed oil or beeswax.
- Storage: Do not store rattan in damp conditions, as it may mold.
- Safety: Although rattan is safer than wood, blows with it are still very painful and can cause injury. Always use protective gear (gloves, fencing mask, gambeson) during contact sparring.
Important Note: This is a 100% natural product. Small cracks, irregularities, spots, or deviations in diameter (between 2.8 and 4.2 cm / 1.1" and 1.65") are not defects but characteristics of the material. These optical imperfections do not affect functionality and are not grounds for a complaint/return. Each piece is unique.
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