"That is its full length, I'm afraid," he says, grinning at his new student's reaction. "It's constructed using mnemonic alloys of various metals. The construction is a closely guarded secret, even today."

Although heavier than a wooden staff of comperable length, it's not as heavy as one would expect something made of metal to be. But it feels solid. Not something you'd want to take a blow from at all.

"Unfortunately, tradition bars me from giving you one of your own to keep until you've mastered its use." A shrug. "But I have every confidence that you will."