White wax wood
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White Wax Wood is the wood of Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet, Chinese Privet or Broad-leaf Privet), which has been prized in China for thousands of years. It is considered one of the best materials from which to fashion staffs, spear shafts, and walking sticks, because it is tough, hard and flexible and can absorb shock without breaking. However, a disadvantage of white waxwood is that it is very vulnerable to wood worm. This can be treated if found early enough with various powders and oils.[citation needed]
A white waxwood staff, shaft, or walking stick is made from a sapling. Japanese and Korean martial artists will typically choose a piece of waxwood cut to be 6" - 9" (15 - 23 cms) above their own height, and which will have a pointed end (toward the top of the wax wood stalk) and a thicker base. The size and weight of the Bō staff is determined by how near or far the staff is cut from the tip of the waxwood stalk.
Chinese Wushu styles use white waxwood for long weapons including staff, spear, and three section staff. Wushu regulations are for the staff and spears not to be shorter than the height of the weilder. Kung Fu stylists also use waxwood weapons although some prefer rattan.
