Double Loop Handles VS Single Loop Handles!!

I've made practice poi with double-loop, single-loop, stick, ring, and ball handles, and of those I tend to go back and forth between double-loop and ball handles, the latter being weighted to keep my tosses accurate. I've been considering adding a ball to the handle end of the chain with double loops so it can do both.

I do not like single loops woven through three fingers as I think Pele is describing, and I especially don't like what she calls the Finger Noose, for the reason she cites. When I do use single loops it's either around my first two fingers or, if it's long enough, looped around my thumb and wrapped behind my hand for a very secure grip and ease of release. I find the double loops to give you a *tiny* bit more control, but the ball handles are nice because you can use a surprisingly big variety of grip styles (between the fingers, wrapped 'round the hand, pinched between thumb and forefinger, &c.) and shift nigh effortlessly between them.

I'd like to play with ring handles a bit more, since the ones I've made left much to be desired, but frankly I don't have anything more suited to use in that capacity.

My sock poi have really big knots on them which I have come to like. I should do something similar on my other poi....

I was using knots on my sock poi, but they're too light for tosses, I find... It'll work in a pinch, but it's nice to have a counterweighted handle, especially if your socks have any amount of stretch to them. One thing I found was that if I threw a poi with too much stretch, the material would bunch up near the head, bringing the handle away from my hand...

Plastic easter eggs work; they're around the right size and are very comfortable. I just made handles from those toy golf balls, the plastic ones (I got a dozen for a buck) - put a couple steel bearings in each (with tape, otherwise they'd clack about) and then tape all 'round for good measure.

Edit: I forgot to mention, the double loop handles that I've made, neither loop is of static dimensions; it's one single loop put through a ring and only secured on the inside... What I mean is, if I pull on one loop, the other gets shorter, if I shorten it, the other gets longer. That way I get the control and secure feeling of a double loop handle, with the leeway for finger movement of a single handle. I've used double loops where the loops are static, and I still prefer them over single loops, but my style seems to suit me best.

For counter-weights in sock poi, the best method i've found is to measure the weight of the weight you've got in the end of the sock, and then, fill a balloon with uncooked rice until it weighs the same, then tie it into the end of your socks, or throw it it the thin end of your cone poi, that way you get perfect counter-weight.

And a tasty snack if your poi fall into a steamer!

I have noticed on the front cover of encyclo-poi-dia dvd, zan moore seems to be using double loops on index and middle finger, palm facing up poi hanging down. This is the same way i have always used and seems most comfortable (for me at least)

I tried single loops last week and whilst they were more secure they tended to tighten around my fingers too much.

Doubles for the win.

I just looked at the cover, I am almost certain he is NOT holding them like that, but I may be wrong.

I use doubles, however, I want to transition to singles...

I prefer single loop, myself. I put my ring and pinky fingers through it and use a key grip on the outside of the handle using my index finger and thumb. I'll often wrap the poi around my fingers, usually first around my index finger and middle finger, then around my index finger and then I have a key grip on that using my thumb.

This puts the weight on my middle finger and the control between my index finger and my thumb.

i mainly spin with sock with a weight in them so i don't really use loops but i think the single is better because it gives you far more options. i've used both over the years.
i'm currently trying to find a good counterweight copper coins seem to be the best at the moment but if anyone knows of a good counter weight which is small enough to go in the hand like a skipping rope handle i would love to know as the coins hurt my hands

what balls do you use

Im looking for a more natural sleeve, but right now what I've got is a florescent nylon webbing sleeve (a tube, if you will) that I filled loosely with sand and then folded in half. After sewing the ends shut and adding a grommet hole, I have a single loop handle with a counter weight.

Because the sand is both heavy and small, it tends to gather at the middle and make it super easy to throw and soft to catch. If I want a finger loop, there's a single loop there whenever I want.

i personally dont like either single or double loops. i use shoe strings for all my glow poi and my fire i have a metal nob on the end. but im liking sauids idea for it does hurt when you dont catch it right.

Plasticine, joffjk.

Or an halibut.

Really big knot in soft cord....

cool will give the plasticine a go is that the one you stick in the oven

Not that I know of. Googling "plasticine" and "oven" does produce hits but I dunno if its really the same product.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasticine

Is what I refer to. Its still reasonably soft whenever I've seen it used as a handle. (Always in socks) I think stuffed into a balloon or something like that as well. Good thing about it is that it can mould to your finger grip and can mould to a few different grips.

maybe Fimo you're thinking of? Which does go hard in the oven but if its not put in for the right amount of time it can crack, or not quite set properly. Also if its in too long it can lose some of its colour, which may not be as important.. Fimo isnt very remouldable, but might be good in a set of socks.

yeah i was thinking of fimo

Single loop, being able to have it hook on both sides of the hand combined with the freedom of fluid maneuverability of disjointing palm face with cord vector.

Double loop has.... easier angling which makes for greater (easier) acceleration of the poi weight.... which makes it better if you either have not developed the strength to move it that fast that easy in the first place.... or don't want to put in the effort =P

Honestly, I've never dropped my poi with single loops, with proper handle configuration I can't see anyone dropping it... I can't remember where I saw how to do it in the first place but I'm about 90% sure it was one of nick's video's.. palm facing away you pull the loop through face to backhand towards you then loop it up and around your fingers.

So I guess what I'm really talking about it Single(free) vs double vs Single(knot).

The easier it is to lose your poi the easier it's going to be to throw and do release moves like augment 5bw, so:
Counterweights are going to be the best, catch and release effortless.
Single free loops are going to be good, albeit hard to catch back into the loop effortlessly.
Doubleloops are going to be much trickier to release than single frees yet not be able to re-loop at all so they might as well be counterweights post-throw.
Single knot is going to be impossible to throw, that thing is NOT coming off of your hand on command.


In summery double loops are good for general easy practice and improv which is good for beginners who don't "really" know what they are setting out to do in-between stops, where as single loops have way more versatility to fit both a secure firespinner and when you want to be able to do throws.