There are as many preferences for staff dimensions as there are staff twirlers.
My own opinion is that a firetoy should foremost allow you perform the most variety of moves.
To that goal, having some space around the handle will let you point the staff downwards without burning yourself. Even with wikkid gloves, you'll need a little space to allow for flames to lick.
I take it that you would like to heavily wick the staff across it's length, i have seen staves with gaurds near the handles to protect the hands and allow for 8" of wicking (for short staves) Please bear in mind the compromise will come in reduced capacity to:
- palm spins
- holding the staves as one, either lengthwise or in a cross formation.
- contact movements
- lower margin for errors for catching throws.
heavily wicked toys do present a significantly hotter performance, so there will be secondary considerations for your performance costume. damp your hair/wear a bandana/beanie before twirling such hot toys. be carful not to twirl tooo sloooow as the flames really to lick alot more if you do.
most of all, be careful. hope your burn heals well, mate! (I'm using Silvazone cream thrice daily..)
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