A question on staff twirling.

Yep, I admit it; in fact, I'll scream it from the rooftops… “I'm a newbie!” biggrin

But I thought that it would be better to embarrass myself and ask reasonably silly questions, than to never learn at all.

I am not new to spinning poi. Whilst I am not exactly an expert I’d say I am doing pretty well with them. tongue

But what I really want to learn is the staff.

Now, I did a few searches on these boards, and I discovered quite a few interesting threads. But my silly newbie questions are still not satisfied. biggrin

So I am harassing you HoPers and hoping for some kind answers. smile

I've heard that a good staff height is your chin, or shoulder level. I have been practicing with three different "staffs"

1. A large just-above-eye-level bamboo cane. (Incredibly light, great for finger twirling!)

2. A short, hollow, light metal pole which comes up just below my chest.

3. A slightly heavier (but still very light) chest-level staff.

And I feel I am coming up to the point where I long for a bigger, heavier staff. For every guy likes to feel a big heavy-duty stick in between his hands… sorry, innuendoes aside; I’d like a staff with more momentum!

I noticed that these bigger staffs are a fair bit of money. But what I want is nice, durable stave, which also isn't too hard to carry around; as I tend to practice wherever I get a chance... be it at college, in the middle of a field, or in the street.

Anyway, long story short.

I have my eyes drawn to these three staffs here on HoP.

https://www.homeofpoi.com/shop/productDetails/247_30_HardAnnodised

https://www.homeofpoi.com/shop/productDetails/257_30_Inner_fire

https://www.homeofpoi.com/shop/productDetails/246_30

Being a newbie, I am not so sure on which would be best for me. I am looking at the three-piece contact staff as it seems easy to transport - which is really what I want. But it is £50, and I don't know how sturdy a collapsible staff is… although the reviews are positive. Then again, I suppose I don’t really mind looking like a burk and wandering around with a large uncollapsible staff in my hands all day.

I am 17, about 5'4/5'5. So I am guessing a staff around 1400mm is what I am looking for? (Which is just below my chin.)

Tell me what you think about the staffs, how much you think I should spend, and if I miscalculated the height/length. tongue

As for my “skills” I can do the basic stuff such as the Rotors/Helicopter, Rotors behind the back, passing behind the back, passes, 360’s rotors, Figure Eights in various places, the Can-Can, One-Beats, and small throws with two or three flips, and a trick I made up – but I am sure there is a name for it already… basically the stuff in Meg’s staff-beginner thread… other than the pinwheel, which I am slowly getting the hang of.

I won’t be buying this immediately; I'll still be playing around with my lightweight make-shift staffs for a short while. But I'd just like to know. biggrin

Thanks HoPers!

hug

Edit:

Mastered the pinwheel now. smile

Can anyone answer these questions? Is a three-piece staff prone to becoming wobbly after several uses? Is it unevenly balanced? Is it not worth the easy-transportation ability? Would I be better off getting a sturdy one-piece contact staff?

Skatto

"Fly like a mouse,
Run like a cushion,
Be the small bookcase."

For goodness sake, don't aggravate the otters!!!

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