Hey guys! I have a Cold Steel stick. Yes, it is nice, it is flexible and gives a similar action like rattan when you hit, but your buddy has to have one too. If the entire class has em they are great. But, they are heavy and not quite as forgiving on knuckles as rattan, which is bad enough. I DON'T recommend white waxwood. They are okay, but, like all wood, breaks at a point. Bad Stuff, since you can poke or cut your buddy, plus when the end flies off, can go in someones face. Saw a waxwood staff do that once at a demo, broke and flew into the crowd. Yes, using wood or indestructible sticks against rattan DOES make you a Dick! LOL!! That is why when I go to a seminar or a student goes, I always tell em to take at least one wooden stick. There will inevitably be someone there using em.
The best Rattan sticks I have used have come from Bloodsport.com. They hold up well and you can get them custom lengths and widths. I like 30 inch long stick 7/8 inch diameter. I started in Lameco, so it fits a lot of those movements well. But, the Cold Steel sticks are a worthwhile investment. You won't have to replace em for a couple of years probably.