Eskrima Customs homepage bastons training knives options and ordering  rattan sticks  gallery and custom work  links

My decision to begin carving custom bastons was the natural evolution of my envy for a fighting stick in my Guro's personal collection. After a thorough search of the Internet, I was saddened to see that no such item was offered for sale anywhere.

One evening after class, and a particularly hard hit to the head, I decided that "I can do that!". A pattern was sketched on a Manila folder (apropriate, I thought), transferred to a hickory axe handle and then I proceeded to cut away everything that didn't look like Guro's stick. The result was a rough approximation of the original, serviceable, but less than beautiful.

Several evolutions later, after working with readily available local hardwoods, (hickory, ash, and oak) I began to experiment with exotic hardwoods and discovered that Purple Heart had the perfect balance of weight, toughness, and workability needed for a good baston.

While Purple Heart is one of my personal favorites, I also have discovered that Wenge and Bocote also posses many of the same characteristics as Purple Heart. I can work with these as well for custom orders. And I still work with Ash and Hickory, because they are also great woods for this purpose.

My goal is to provide a functional and durable baston which is as beautiful as it is usable. It is my hope that you appreciate, use and enjoy my work.

"The knives and bastons are beautifully made! I could see that you had put a lot of thought on the handle's design as well as on the blade. The handles are well thought out ensuring that the knife/baston does not slide off the hands. To me, they are all collector's items!
Great work. "

Amante P. Marinas Sr.
Author/Founder, Pananandata
DEDICATION : I would like to take a moment to thank all of the practitioners of the Filipino Martial Arts worldwide. For all of our differences of technique and opinion we are truly a family.

DISCLAIMER: Martial arts training is potentially dangerous! Sticks and staffs can travel faster than the empty hand and are much harder!  Eskrima Customs is not responsible for any injuries that may occur do to use of these products. The user assumes all risks and assumes responsibility in using these products. One should train under qualified instruction and be personally alert at all times when engaging in martial arts activities . 
Be smart! Use your head for something other than a stick target!

Laws vary widely concerning possession or carry of pocket sticks, tabaks, yawaras, etc. Users are responsible for knowing and complying with local laws and ordinances.

For more information, contact me at brandon@eskrimacustoms.com