Forums > Help! > Staff length question

Posted: 3rd Sep 2008
hey dude,

there are as many correct answers as there are body shapes!
Take from The correct answer for me:

For single staff/contact
1.4m length - can barely perform BTL moves with this length. When playing with only one staff, I prefer to have a wider separation between the wicks as the trails are more coherent.23mm guage - contact staffing is easier at first with a wider guage.4" wicks - 4 inches of tube core is the minimum amount of light/heat/burn time. Any less and I will wear a pink dress with polka dots. lol.

For doubles
1m length - intricate work like waistwraps are easier if the staff falls short of my armpits when holding it by the centre. horiz transitions to palming is much easier and more elagant when the staff is that length:

Non-Https Image Link

obviously it's quite possible to do most staff moves with a massive staves however my personal preference is on elegance. Find your preferred length, pay with other people's toys to try other lengths first (Hot tip: ask them first before u take em). I find that 90cm staves and shorter tend to fly outta my hands and usually need smaller wicks (2.5" or less becuase they're so close to the handles) or normal wicks with a heat guard (at an unnecessary sacrifice of contact movements) - Bluecat once called em matchsticks and i really like that name!17mm guage - IMO a narrower staff guage diminishes smoothness in contact movements in a compromise for easier moves that require dexterity like fingerspins, technical throws.4" wicks - 4 inches of tube core is the minimum amount of light/heat/burn time. Any less and I will join a boy band. lol.

and when accepting advice for something that heavily depends on your body's characteristics, remember what Bruce Lee said
"Did you spill my pint? Right then!"

ok he didn't say that but he did say this:
"Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it."

peaz!

Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always

Posted: 3rd Sep 2008
The accepted rule of thumb that I've heard is that for single staff the length should be shorter than the bottom of your chin! i.e. you should be able to rest your chin ontop if the staff without stretching. Thats the rule I stick to when teaching and it seems to work.

...having said that my staff are 1650mm (with 3 x 80mm wicks on each end), I have to stretch a little and I use two of those for doubles. To be honest it limits me on some tricks but just looks huge!

My best advice would be to hold off on commissioning one... go to a festival / meet and try every staff you see! Get an idea in your mind before you commission one. Each to their own, it depends on your style.

On a side note, my staffs are huge and a pain in the arse to transport if I'm not in the car (tube is a nightmare!).

Hope that helps

"Whats wrong with the cat?" - Mrs Schrödinger

Posted: 9th Sep 2008
make yer own...then make another one when that one gets bent or you decide you don;t like it....change what you don;t like and see how that works...experiment with lengths....they are so easy to make...and cheaper then buying one it's worth it to go 3-4 tries before finding what you like then you've got yer very own perfect staff.

O.B.E.S.E.

Owned by Mynci!