Just like my blades, I made all of my swords or long blades out of T6 aluminum. The thickness varies based on what some of my training partners wanted and the design.  We knew  aluminum and rattan were not going to be the best of friends.  We normally us polymer or industrial plastics such as delrin when going sword against stick.  We also found we drew a lot less attention when training outside as the polymer sticks are a little quieter than the same 10 people clacking rattan in the backyard or at beach. Also keep in mind that people at seminars hate when you blow up their rattan with your plastics sticks, so make sure you bringing your rattan if you are going to a seminar.

I am a firm believer in, after teaching a concept or application, using a sword to reinforce what the actual dynamics or application would be if using a a blade. That is when the real impact of the movements or concept hits home.  Some people are utterly horrified by the thought of using a blade, which is why today  start with a stick.  When we break the essence of most stick arts down to their origins, they are blade arts hidden withing the stick.