Bandshoppe pole

Two bandpoles

Pricing Chart

A Bandshoppe pole, sometimes known as a band pole, is a hollow fiberglass pole originally made for flags in marching bands. They are commonly used as a core for polearms.

Approximately 1" in diameter and previously available in lengths up to 8', band poles are very strong, have almost no flex at 8', yet are relatively light for their length. They are very widely used in the construction of polearms, such as spears and glaives, as well as other very large red weapons. Because bandpoles have so little flex, care must be taken to sufficiently pad the weapon.

Band poles are relatively expensive as far as cores go. They have an extremely long lifespan, however, and for a long time were widely considered the best core material for polearms. They are still excellent polearm cores, being effectively indestructible, and are excellent for "war" poles.

Unfortunately shipping companies changed their policies on what is considered "oversized," so now it is nearly impossible to obtain eight foot cores that were previously ubiquitous. Most companies seem to cap out at seven feet, but a few carry seven foot six inch poles.

If you order from a company which is listed as "Untested," or find the information to no longer be accurate, please update with your experience.

Sources of band poles

• Bandshoppe - The original and eponymous purveyor of band poles. Carries up to 7' poles. Shipping seems to be inexpensive, and scales suspiciously well. ($15 for one unit, $22 for 4 units in a test example. Last updated Nov 2022.)

• Smith and Walbridge - Previously a common source for poles. Carries up to 7' poles. (In a test example shipping appeared to be simply absurd: $224 for one unit. Last updated Nov 2022.)

• Max Gain Systems - Another source of fiberglass poles that some think rival bandpoles in all ways other than color (YMMV). Their poles cost ~$9 each without shipping (there is a $7 handling charge added in the total shipping for poles over 68" or 5.5 feet). THEIR 8' 1" DIAMETER POLES ARE VERY FLEXIBLE. NOT RECOMMENDED. Some reports state that their poles have significant more flex than a normal bandshoppe pole. YMMV. (Last updated unknown)

• American Band Untested. Seems to carry fiberglass poles up to 7' 6". Shipping seems to be expensive for one unit, but scales well. (Last updated Nov 2022.)

• FJM Untested. Carries up to 7' poles, and claims to be able to special order 8' poles. Their shipping for 7' poles starts at terrible for one unit, and scales poorly. (In a test example one pole was $50 shipping, while four poles were $90). It can only be imagined what their oversized shipping for 8' poles might cost. (Last updated Nov 2022.)

Prior Sources (archived to check in the future)

• Woodwind Brasswind - Seems to no longer be listed on their website. (5/14)
  

The newest found (competitive) source of bandpoles. Their 8' poles are a flat $13 and their shipping rates are surprisingly cheap, and free for orders over $99. They appear most competitive for small orders (under 6 poles) and some large orders (10 or more poles).

• Music 123 - Discontinued Item (5/14)
  

A newer source of bandshoppe poles. Prices range from $13.95 - 15.95, and will do a limited amount of price matching. The big plus of 123 is they have free shipping with no minimum order, AND they don't charge extra for 8' poles (which are commonly "oversized" and cost extra to ship).

• Musician's Friend - Nope (5/14)
  

Comparable prices to 123 Music, with a minimum order of only $25 to qualify for free shipping.