This past Thursday I had my first karate class where I got to start learning a weapon kata using the bo. It's called Shihonuke. It's great fun, but, like learning anything new, it's a bit overwelming at first. After Saturday's class I bought a hickory bo so I can now practice at home (and I no longer have to borrow a bo in class). If you look closely, you can see where my initials have been stamped on the top edge. They do that at the dojo so people know whose bo is whose.
I've already managed to ding the bo. I was practicing in my living room and accidentally wacked a wooden cabinet behind me. That cabinet will think twice before it tries to sneak up behind me again. (And I'll be sure to be more careful judging what is a safe distance for practicing near my furniture...)