Bo

A bo is a wooden staff, usually around 6 feet long.  Possibly originating from a staff balanced across the shoulders with a load at either end, it became a useful self defence tool, enabling the user to keep an attacker at a safe distance.  It's length enables strong strikes if the leverage of the weapon in understood and utilised.

Park Lodge students practice various uses of the bo, including a 2 man kata of strikes and blocks, a single man kata, and the standing sets of stances, blocks and strikes known as the kumite.

Jo

A jo is a shorter staff, usually around 4 feet long.  It is used in similar fashion to the bo.  Higher grades will learn the 2 man jo and bokken kata.

Baton

A baton is used to practice a selection of self defence techniques that could potentially be performed with a variety of items, including an umbrella or walking stick.  A wooden stick around 18 inches to 2 feet long is usually used to practice these techniques.  Defences against an attack with a baton, or using a baton, are both taught.