Wick design discussions

I couldn't seem to find anything like this. Well, A couple kind of, but the links didn't work at all. So here this is. A thread for discussing your/any other wick designs that you know and have had experience with. Mainly to help everybody find out what kind of wicks they want when they want to make them without having to spend all their money on rope/wick tape/whatever.

I'll start mine with a question, I want to make Isis poi. But, I want to make a nice cracked/open surface. Would you use the same amount of wick on the outside that you do on the inside, or more? For example, I saw a video that said 4ft for the inside weave, then 6 for the outside. It's a crown on the inside and another over itself for reference of what I'm talking about. I would buy rope, but then I'd have my dad going, "You're spending too much money! Blah blah blah! You're buying things too often! Blah blah blah!" "But dad!"

Could you not try with ordinary sisal rope instead to see if it works? It's about 80c a meter here, and I'd think would give you a better idea than nylon rope would.

this hasn't been updated in a while.
http://www.homeofpoi.com/ubbthreads/ubbt...html#Post890727


Tubeecores (as Stout called 'em): the original fire poi wick design as far as I know. They are constructed in much the same way that staff wicks are still most commonly made. The way I see them put together they have a lot of exposed metal.
youtube.com/watch?v=GbAmfwFqyQs
homeofpoi.com/shop/productDetails/Pair-of-25inch-tube-core-fire-heads

cathedrals: Each layer is secured by whatever the attachment hardware is, making them the most durable wick. I have friends who roll and hit these on the ground nearly every time they burn and the little buggers still hold up. There is usually a washer and a bolt sticking out the bottom which is not so good.
luxotica.com/education/howtomake/poi.php
8stars.org/a/firemaking/wicks/

monkeyfists: No exposed metal on the wick itself. They have a nice cube/sphere shape. More surface area (bigger flame) and more material (hold more fuel) then the first two designs. Will unravel after abuse and if not made tightly enough. The end is secured by the knot.
firemecca.com/t-tutmf.aspx
youtube.com/watch?v=MXdHcH3FRcM
renegadejuggling.com/Web_store/rev3k/index.html

flat wick lanyards: holds more fuel then the first three. Secured the same way as cathedrals. Less surfaces area then the cathedrals (I think).
laneyards.com/
firemecca.com/p-887-moonblaze-fire-poi-set.aspx

rope wick lanyards: I have found these to be the most versatile design out of all the knots used for wicks. The way Salza secures their ends is to thread them back through the loops of the lanyard. Also no exposed metal on the wick itself. These have the most surface area (because of all the bumps) and generally use the most material for the same weights as the others (so hold lots of fuel). I've also heard the flame size remains fairly consistent throughout the burn.
laneyards.com/
salza.se/product.php?p=106
homeofpoi.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/860047/Re_Are_these_Isis_poi.html#Post860047
scoubiguide.co.uk/circle.html

I've done some looking around actually and I found a store that sells 3/8" ployester rope for only $10. The reason I didn't want to use polyester rope from HoP was because I'd end up paying literally $35-40 for shipping. I just decided, uh no. So I think I will find out now what design I want to make. Thanks for the info though, and from that info is seems that my decision in using rope is a good idea

The polyester rope is purely for practicing the knotwork, right??

I want to make my own monkey fists! I just bought a bunch of material on HoP, I just hope it works out and I can't buy it all at a cheaper place somewhere...I love the HoP store!

Me Monkey fists! I tried a fire dart...or are they called rope darts with a huge monkey fists on it and apart from losing part of my beard it was a lot of fun!

If you can find a Swedish fid, get one! It will make tying a monkey fist ten times easier. Probably also good for getting those last few wraps of a braided wick, too.

Probably good for finishing when I tuck the ends I could really imagine. Probably easier than pliers by a long shot.

Edit: Pictures of my wick design
http://www.homeofpoi.com/gallery/display.php?image=/500/100071Fire_Poi_027.jpg
http://www.homeofpoi.com/gallery/display.php?image=/500/100071Fire_Poi_029.jpg
http://www.homeofpoi.com/gallery/showpho...t=500&page=

those look pretty sweet, which method did you use?

those are sweeet !! i think im going to have to make some.. how did you learn how to construct those ??

I did a circle stitch, and another one over it, but getting the second one started is a bit of a trick because you have to get the 2 ropes through the bottom of the first one. To end it I tucked the ends through the outside loops, cut and frayed them, and gorilla glued them as I don't want those babies coming apart

Edit: Turns out they're exactly 7 inches long and about 2.5-2.75" at it's widest

Holy It just dawned on me. I'm positive I know how to make Isis! When I get some free time, I'll use my left over rope to make it and I'll post it. Yep I got it, but it's pissing me off and I keep screwing it up, it's literally braiding 8 strands together and I keep getting on of them wrong on it

yeaaaaaaa that would be sweet if you post that it would be very kinda of you and much appreciated by all of us i'm sure !!

OMFG KILL ME RIGHT NOW! Yeah I figured it out, but there's just so many strands and I keep it up and I can't get the first one right. Once I get the hang of it I'll make a video on how to make it on Youtube and put it on here. The problem is I can't tell I did it wrong until I tighten it

Hats off to the guys at Salza for having this type of frustration.

Edit: One thing to say...


Edit: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I GOT THE FIRST KNOT WITHOUT SCREWING UP!

Edit: OK, I got the hang of it. It's much easier now .It's annoying because there is not a single video on how to do this But there was a description of how to do it.

Ok, hopefully last edit for tonight: I FINISHED THE FIST HEAD And I may also see if alternating directions will give me more spiral some other day, maybe tomorrow? This wick has like 5 millions tons of surface area, but I'm not sure about it compared to my other one. It is thinner, it's quite a bit longer, and I'm not sure about the weight.

Ok, here's what I came up with:
http://www.homeofpoi.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21150

And Here's the same thing, but alternating directions each stitch, this is not Isis for sure, but may have potential for increased surface area:
http://www.homeofpoi.com/gallery/showpho...t=500&page=

I have one more idea to give it more spiral, may or may not work, I'm going to undo the alternating one to try it.
You know what? I tried it, it does give more spiral, but it's so difficult to get even, I'm not even gonna try making it.

monkey fists

SoD: You were looking for narrow wicking in another thread. In the interests of not derailing that one, would it work to cut wider tape into narrower bands?

I'm pretty sure the wick would end up fraying. But if someone knows how that works, that would be awesome if it doesn't fray, but even if I did cut it, I can't imagine how sloppy it would turn out. But if it does work, I might just try it anyways.

Edit, I looked over something, and what I can do is take 1" by 1/16" tape and fold it and I'll get a great size. WOOHOO FOR SAVING $40!

Ok got my idea into life. It works very well I must say and it all bent back into place.
http://www.homeofpoi.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21166