Customer Reviews

ThinkBamboo brand Manau Rattan Kali Sticks 8pc Kali 1 1/8" X 30"

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The sticks have nice weight and feel. However, the sticks are cut in such a way that the seams are to close to the end of the sticks. My sticks have three seams each, not like the sticks pictured with two seams each. You can't grip the stick properly without grabbing a seam. Also, my sticks are significantly mismatched, one is 3/4" in diameter and the other is 1". The sticks are fine for single stick work, but they are not a matched pair.

Let me start off with saying I have ordered from this company before. I ordered a single pair (2pc) of the rattan sticks and they were some of the most durable sticks I have used. They were both 7/8" and weighed 230g and 190g. I am measuring with a precision caliper and am using an 11 lb food scale accurate to 1g. I have to approximate the weights of the first pair because I have tennis overgrips and electrical tape on one as a repair.

My 8 piece order arrived today and I was excited to have a good number of sticks available for continued training. Anyone who puts some force behind their striking in Kali/Escrima/Arnis will go through sticks fairly quickly (a good pair every 2 months or so training twice a week). Although there are always sticks that are more or less durable even when bought in pairs, of my 2 best pairs one stick is almost too frayed to use and the other is almost like new.

After removing the stick bundle from the box I was disappointed because just by sight I could tell not all the sticks were 7/8" or more. FOUR of them were 3/4" which is a BIG difference for this martial art. The measurements were taken at the THICKEST node, which often times only extends an inch or two up the stick where the rest of it tapers down. The four small sticks would be 3/4" or less where they are held. Here are the following stats ascending in weight.

Diameter Weight
13/16" 166g
13/16" 173g
3/4" 195g
3/4" 215g
15/16" 215g
1" 230g
1" 250g
1" 266g

Short Conclusion:
Beginners, ok. Intermediate, maybe. Advanced, look elsewhere.

Conclusion:
If you are looking for a pack of sticks with a drastic size difference of just over 1/4" instead of 1/8" this is fine. If you know what you like by now and are looking for specific sets of 7/8" to 1" sticks between 190g and 240g you may want to look elsewhere. If these were as advertised you would probably have better luck but it seems they allow too much leeway in their measurements. Buying these big packs make it a good price of $15 a pair, but if you only use half of them you lose the value. If this problem is addressed and fixed I will order again, if not I will stick with [...]

The sticks are very strong
you can match them up
for the price they are the best choice
you will get at least 3 pairs that are great and 2 so so
so you are a winner

Nice sticks. One is a little heavier than the other, but it is no big deal. Sticks do have 3 seams, but it works out fine for me. I cut of 2 inches to make them 28 inches long to match typical length, which made them more manageable in the class. I had them for 5 month and they are holding up pretty well. I use them twice a week in my Kali class. I bought them in 1.1 inch diameter and they fit my hand pretty well.

the sticks are good bamboo, they will hold up however my sticks were very mismatched and thus i only use them one at a time for single stick sinawali or drills.

I ordered a ten-pack of these 1" sticks to supply my students. Not a single stick in the whole pack measured a full 1" in diameter, and one stick was less than half an inch thick (I could snap it over my knee). Because of the varying diameters, very few of the sticks could be paired. I was very upset about it and contacted the company. The man I spoke with was very polite and accommodating-- he told me that they would hand select some 1" sticks and pay for the return shipping on the original order. The new sticks arrived, and I am pleased with them. One final note though: The cut ends of these sticks are raw (meaning that they are not sanded or rounded at all). This is a safety hazard because sharp edges will cut skin on contact. They really shouldn't be sold this way, but it's not a deal-breaker-- just make sure you sand them down before use. The quality of the manau rattan is high; it is a very dense rattan compared to other varieties and I would recommend it. I would also recommend contacting the company before placing an online purchase, just to be sure that you get what you expect.

For the price, these sticks are great for beginners to advanced and will last a long time, good quality too. I will have these sticks for a long time. I recommend these for anyone.