octagonal escrima?...i've never see one...rattan is nice...or u can get the chinese bamboo..and for tournaments..if u have spare change, u can get urself an acyrlic pair...i love that weapon, i have 3 pairs
as for length and size?...the length is usually around the length of ur OWN arm...stop about 2-3inches short of ur finger tips, as for width?? about 1 inch??..or ¾inch...either one will do..but some of them come really small..they vary...be sure 2 choose one that's comfortable!!!