onewheeldaveGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom


Posted:
For myself I've always used sock-style poi, but there's no escaping the fact that for workshops, parks etc, tailed poi have a lot of appeal.

I've been looking into the available options and wondered if anyone would like to offer their opinions from experiences they've had with the commercialy available tailed poi.

I'm especially interested in the 'poi-toy' models, bearing in mind there are two versions, the 'classic' about which I've heard good things, and the budget 'orbiter' which I've heard is overly fragile.

Then there's the sonic spinners, cobras etc, etc- all the other brands of tailed poi.

Digging up comments on the net I'm hearing a lot of stuff along the lines of 'Poi 'X' has been under continuous developement and no longer suffers from the chronic fraying/breakages that the earlier versions did'- bearing in mind that some companies stock may be fairly old, it's not particularly inspiring smile

So, anyone wish to comment about especially good value poi they've used, or about especially bad ones?

Especially concerning durability, spinability, good value etc.

"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."

--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32


Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


.:star:.SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,785 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom


Posted:
The cheap Poy-Toy orbiter is all plastic - Not fabric. They are also very light. I've heard much better things about classic ones.

I make all my tailed poi..then you always get what you want!

mtbeerGOLD Member
ARRRR!
529 posts
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA


Posted:
Ditto, all my current poi are hand made. Every now and then I try a few from HoP or other places but I usually end up giving them away to beginners or modifying them to the extent that they are no longer anything like the original product.

I guess every serious spinner has their own taste in poi so unless they give you options, you are better off building your own. I hope I find the perfect practice poi one day.

"My skin is singed but it heals my heart and with glowing pride I'll wear my scars." -Davey Havok


colemanSILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom


Posted:
these are my favourites:

erik's double tails.

i have a pair of these in black and silver that i've had for nearly three years.
i've used them a lot - that's everyday use for about the first 6 months and then on and off at parties and festivals since - and they still look great.

as for why i like them:
the swivel at both ends really makes a difference i reckon and suits all spinning/grip styles (if you hold the string, the poi head swivel takes all the twist out, and if you use finger loops, the swivel at the hand end does most of the work).
they are obviously well made to have the kind of durability i have experienced.
tail shape and the length that the two tails are stitched together seems ideal and gives the tails a lovely line when spinning.

erik also does 5-tailed rainbow poi now which sound swishy and look lovely but i can't comment on these because i haven't played with them much and don't own a pair myself.

i don't know who made dom's white tails but they are gorgeous too.


cole. x

"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood


Mr ChutneySILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK


Posted:
On the other side of things, ie reasons to avoid certain brands, I would encourage you to avoid the cobra brand tailed poi.

I've owned a set for about a year now and I very, very rarely use them- they are very noisy (which some people like I know) and I find that the material for the tails is a little too rigid, meaning should you clip[ yourself with the end of a tail it can be pretty unpleaant, especially around the eyes.

The detachable tails are useful for beginners needing to learn without tangling up, but on the whole the construction is too flimsy. I managed to kick a head clean off whilst doing a foot wrap on the first afternoon I had them.

On the whole not terrible, but they're expensive and I'm convinced there are far better out there.

PyrolificBRONZE Member
Returning to a unique state of Equilibrium
3,289 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia


Posted:
err this discussion belongs in technical.

--
Help! My personality got stuck in this signature machine and I cant get it out!


ben-ja-menGOLD Member
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia


Posted:
ive got a box of the classic poi toy i likes em they have a great design very adjustable not to mention they dont hurt cos of their nurf like nature. ive got no complaints

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous and talented? Who are you NOT to be?


Adya MiriyanaGOLD Member
*slou?
6,554 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia


Posted:
*agrees*

[now i know what nerf means ubblol]

onewheeldaveGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom


Posted:


Cheers for the replies everyone- they've been helpful.

Truth is, I've never been inspired to use tailed poi myself, I'm totally happy with sock poi; I consider them ideal for all the advanced release/one-hand stuff I do.

I also consider them to be excellent for beginners, but the fact is that many kids who come to workshops tend to turn their noses up at sock style poi.

In terms of tailed poi that I've actually used, the majority I've found to be not that good to spin- tails too long/too noisy, and many of them seem to be not that durable.

For spinnability, though it was only for a brief try, I did find the poi-toy 'classic poi' to be considerably better than any others I've used- a sensible design with good length tails (can any long-term users comment on their durability?)

"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."

--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32


Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


originalsmitSILVER Member
addict
469 posts
Location: nottingham, england. cornwall wales denmark or pra...


Posted:
yeah sockpoi i find are much more adaptable and a full range of moves available with them.
they just dont look as pretty as tails.
then again last thursdays meet was in conditions of high wind and tails became practically unusable.

my first ever set of poi were tailed sonic stars and i totally destroyed them within a month...... i blame the swivels, but then again i have never liked swivels anyway.

and tails get in the way of a lot of throws with poi, well no but it takes a lot more concentration.

tails will always be popular cos they look nice, but most people who get' heavily' into poi start to use socks as they are easier to use especially for hyperloops isolations etc.

my original signature was tooo long.
this one is shorter


originalsmitSILVER Member
addict
469 posts
Location: nottingham, england. cornwall wales denmark or pra...


Posted:
apologies for contradicting myself multiple times in the last pst

my original signature was tooo long.
this one is shorter


pricklyleafSILVER Member
with added berries
1,365 posts
Location: Manchester, England (UK)


Posted:
I use some that I bought off ebay, but they are not very good, I'm going to have to compleatly change the cord they are on as they just break. Definately don't go for orbitors, they are cheap for a reason, I know someone who got them and after an afternoon of spinning the tails had compleatlty been shredded off.

I've heard some good things about cobra, I've only tried them once but they were nice to spin, even if they were in day-glo colours that I'm not keen on. Although I was a bit dubious about the fact the tails are only held on with velcro. They have tennis ball centres, but you can get to the and put slits in them to make them softer for children.

My first pair of poi were those tribal poi. They lasted a year of compleate abuse, although the tails had to be saftey pinned on as the press studs weren't very secure. My friend has had a pair for 2 years, although I don't think shes abused them as much as me! However the tails fray a lot, but they do look good and are in nice colours. They are fairly soft, as they are filled with thread, not tennis balls. Also as the tails are made out of a soft fabric (hence the chronic fraying) they are a lot quieter than standard tails.

I also know someone with sonic stars. They have the disadvantage of the tails not being detacthable, having said that, For the first year I learnt all my moves with tails, so it is possible. Again they mainly come in day-glo colours,although have a slightly wider range than cobra. They are filled with tennis balls and I'm not sure if you can access them to put slits in them and make them softer. They seem fairly durable and are pleasant to spin. In fact, at juggling club they have some tails with the sonic stars logo on that are really nice to spin, but in a fabric different to the normal stiff waterproof stuff, and so a lot quieter. They would be worth looking in to.

Live like there is no tomorrow,
dance like nobody is watching
and hula hoop like wiggling will save the world.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson


Mags The JediGOLD Member
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK


Posted:
A friend of mine brought some poi toy ones to the beach the other day. I think they were these ones. Really nice. I usually hate all tail poi as I always tie my hands together doing buzzsaw routines, but these ones were really good, and hardly tangled me at all.

Don't think I'm quite ready to part with my socks yet though...

devil

"I believe the cost of life is Death and we will all pay that in full. Everything else should be a gift. We paid the cover charge of life, we were born."

Bill Hicks, February 1988


Anna-panannaThinking...
179 posts
Location: Oxford


Posted:
Written by: coleman


these are my favourites:

erik's double tails.




Yep I agree. Although I use socks now, Erik's poi were my first poi, and they've lasted so long- I used them intensively for about 2 years and the worst that happened was they faded a little bit!

Written by: coleman


erik also does 5-tailed rainbow poi now which sound swishy and look lovely but i can't comment on these because i haven't played with them much and don't own a pair myself.




Have used these and they're nice, they make a good noise...however they can get a bit tangly (specially in the rain) and they're not quite as durable, the ribbons fray a bit, unlike his normal two tail poi.

Written by: coleman


i don't know who made dom's white tails but they are gorgeous too.





Could also have been Erik, he does white poi which look SO SO SO gorgeous in UV light, and they have lovely rainbow flouro string too.

I use his poi in all my poi workshops, and they've lasted AGES, despite getting alot of battering by crazy kids (and adults). I would definitely recommend them, and Erik may give you a discount if you're buying in bulk. PM me if you'd like his contact details.

Ax smile

Practice as if your hair was on fire...


Anna-panannaThinking...
179 posts
Location: Oxford


Posted:
Also, they're ethically produced- I can't remember the details, but it's connected with some kind of worthy charity, always a bonus biggrin

Practice as if your hair was on fire...


nearly_all_goneSILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom


Posted:
Worth pointing out (if it hasn't been already), Cobras and Cobra 2s are different. What you guys all seem to be talking about are the supposedly-advanced-yet-vastly-inferior Cobra 2s. Whilst I only got my Cobra 1s recently, I'm seriously impressed. They have longer tails (with finished edges, mercifully), they fly much sweeter and the tails are stitched in. Personally I always spin with tennis-balls, so the cobra 1s are just right for me. Although it has to be said the day-glo colour scheme is a bit poo. They're the best tailed poi I've found, and a bargain at £5 from Glasto. Poi Poi aren't generally very good in my experience, their flags are dreadful (unusable), their fire poi are flimsy, their glo poi are shockingly fragile and cobra 2s, whist almost every spinner I know started with a pair of them, are shite. Thankfully the Cobra 1s are worth 5 times what I paid for them.

[/ramble]

Although I have to admit, nothing will replace my home-made tennis-balls, which are simple yet incredibly easy to use/mod/generally piss about with.

Avoid Eola poi, the swivels are the most horrific things I've seen. Can anyone tell me why you'd put a swivel which locks when pulled on poi, which work by virtue of their pulling on the handle?

What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau


_Clare_BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)


Posted:
After reading Cole's post... I decided to buy myself some Erik's poi... and they arrived today biggrin

They're black and orange and they're great!!!

Woohoo... my first tailed poi biggrin

weavesmiley

Getting to the other side smile


SniperBRONZE Member
Snoochie-boochie-noochies!
663 posts
Location: United Kingdom


Posted:
apart from my homemade socks & flags i'm still stuck in n_a_g's cobra2 box. just discovered they're easily converted to short meteors tho.

seem to be well made and easy to change parts (make your own, you gotta start somewhere wink) but like i say they're all i've used.

well someone had to stand up for them tongue

IgirisujinSILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,666 posts
Location: Preston, United Kingdom


Posted:
https://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?View...ssPageName=WD4V

I have a pair of Spargo's Baby Blue Practise Poi, and allthough Ive never been in the same room as any other types of poi I think there just fine compared, at least I would imagine so anyway.

The stritching is very strong, the tails wont fray because there made out of that material those giant novelty kites are made of so of course there very strong and very light. The tails dont get in the way for me I thought they might do before they arrived, I was a little worried they would be the wrong type of poi to begin with, but once I got them and started spinning I took to them like a duck to water. Plus the colour is nice, not some awful bright neon orrange or yellow poi hehe, no offense guys if you have any of these eye sores wink

The tails do occasionaly brush against each other if I spin too fast but they just swish past each other, make a slight ruffleing noise and carry on spinning, ive never had them tangle because of the tails, only the string or the balls hiting each other (and me lol).

There perfectly fine to use even for someone who has never even picked up a pair of poi before, so they should be fine for people who are used to other types of poi since you should have better arm and wrist controll.

Chief adviser to the Pharaoh, in one very snazzy mutli-coloured coat

'Time goes by so slowly for those who wait...' - Whatever Happend To Baby Madonna?


bbrittaneePoi + Hoop
21 posts
Location: Ontario, Canada


Posted:
I ordered that a poi set from this site with the removable tails.. And when i first got them -- the material of them surprised me..
Yaah, they are noisy.

I usually spin with them off because im learning..
And with them on is fustrating at times..

I kinda regretted getting them at one point.
Wished i talked to people about whats best. Though i like them .. and im learning.. And they have been good so far.
They are my first set, and so far my only set. .So its my baby. lol
I cant wait to try different types though!

-- When we communicate with one another and we feel that we have connected and we think we’re understood.. i think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion…
I think it’s what we live for ♥


bbrittaneePoi + Hoop
21 posts
Location: Ontario, Canada


Posted:
I ordered my first poi set from this site and they sound simular to the ones you just described.

They are noisy though, lol . The material wasnt what i expected.


Ive just started spinning with the tails on now that i know a few tricks.

Its tricky.

-- When we communicate with one another and we feel that we have connected and we think we’re understood.. i think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion…
I think it’s what we live for ♥


Mother_Natures_SonSILVER Member
Rampant whirler.
2,418 posts
Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia!


Posted:
Make some socks, bbrittanee. Knee high socks with rice in balloons. smile I'd put 150g of rice in, a lot of others would use 100g so maybe go somewhere in between? 125g perhaps? smile

Use the socks to learn.

The more poi you have the less likely you are to be caught without them!

hug


ElectricBlueGOLD Member
Now with extra strawberries
810 posts
Location: Canberra, Australia


Posted:
Yeah unfortunately with most tails(not matter what fabric) you get a fair bit of noise. Just like a flapping flag in the wind.

But the advantages of using the crinkly sounding rip stop nylon probably out weigh the extra noise they make. This fabric is used because it is really tough and if they do get a tear then it wont Frey so your poi will last a lot longer. Also The Rip stop is really light if you were to use most other fabrics except silk then the tails get really heavy and don't look any way near as nice.

I {Heart} hand me downs and spinning in the snow.<br /><br />


bbrittaneePoi + Hoop
21 posts
Location: Ontario, Canada


Posted:
Yahh, I was thinking about sock poi -
I should def. make some and give them a try as well.

How do you hang onto the sock poi? Is the end of the sock open? Or how you make the grip part?

-- When we communicate with one another and we feel that we have connected and we think we’re understood.. i think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion…
I think it’s what we live for &#9829;


bbrittaneePoi + Hoop
21 posts
Location: Ontario, Canada


Posted:
True enough .

One thing i dont like about the poi set i have .. That i juust noticed last night while practising- Is the string.
I have it adjusted to the right length and all.. but when spinning after time it becomes loose and stretches out farther then the length i made it. Since its adjustable, pulling down the knot to adjust it..is starting to fray the string itself.
I was debating whether or not i should untie the whole string and just tie it and attatch it to my length (without the adjusting knot thing)
Or if i should screw the string - And get a chain link ? or something ? or what do you use instead of the string?

Cause i know people customize the poi sets they buy .. So i was wondering what i should do.

-- When we communicate with one another and we feel that we have connected and we think we’re understood.. i think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion…
I think it’s what we live for &#9829;


Mother_Natures_SonSILVER Member
Rampant whirler.
2,418 posts
Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia!


Posted:
Originally Posted By: bbrittaneeYahh, I was thinking about sock poi -
I should def. make some and give them a try as well.

How do you hang onto the sock poi? Is the end of the sock open? Or how you make the grip part?


You tie a knot in the end of it and just grip it! I usually like to wrap it round my middle finger and index finger as well, then sometimes around the index finger again. I use a key grip for control while the weight is mostly on my middle finger, but comfort is the main aim with grips.

I actually just have a length of chain on my fire poi and I grip that because thats the most comfortable way I grip! smile

If you really want finger loops you can attach them, I did so with the first set of socks I made, though I can't remember how I did so.

On replacing the cord, I haven't got a better suggestion than https://www.homeofpoi.com/shop/productDetails/length-of-ColeCord

hug


astonSILVER Member
Unofficial Chairperson of Squirrel Defense League
4,061 posts
Location: South Africa


Posted:
Originally Posted By: bbrittaneeYahh, I was thinking about sock poi -
I should def. make some and give them a try as well.

How do you hang onto the sock poi? Is the end of the sock open? Or how you make the grip part?


Tie a knot. Or you can attach a handle of some kind, although that is a little trickier....
Originally Posted By: bbrittaneeTrue enough .

One thing i dont like about the poi set i have .. That i juust noticed last night while practising- Is the string.
I have it adjusted to the right length and all.. but when spinning after time it becomes loose and stretches out farther then the length i made it. Since its adjustable, pulling down the knot to adjust it..is starting to fray the string itself.
I was debating whether or not i should untie the whole string and just tie it and attatch it to my length (without the adjusting knot thing)
Or if i should screw the string - And get a chain link ? or something ? or what do you use instead of the string?

Cause i know people customize the poi sets they buy .. So i was wondering what i should do.


If you know what length you want your poi to be, by all means go for non-adjustable tethers.

What you use is up to you. Chains will give you a feel for fire poi (partly, if you get some you should always play with them unlit first anyway). String is cheaper and lighter.

'We're all mad here. I'm mad, you're mad." [said the Cat.]
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "Or you wouldn't have come here."
- Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland


bbrittaneePoi + Hoop
21 posts
Location: Ontario, Canada


Posted:
Thanks smile
Im going to try and construct some sock poi for myself.. maybe this weekend.

-- When we communicate with one another and we feel that we have connected and we think we’re understood.. i think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion…
I think it’s what we live for &#9829;


GeezaGOLD Member
addict
694 posts
Location: Leeds, United Kingdom


Posted:
What is the best counter weight to use with sock poi to do wibbles with? I tried a golf ball and it was about the right weight but did a wibble and hit my wrist with it and i thought it shattered my wrist at first! it didnt but hurt quite a bit and had a nice bruise.

Best value tail poi I am not sure, i have some cobra 2 but they are a bit crappy. id rather spend another £5 some something that is better made and better material

Paddington BearSILVER Member
member
118 posts
Location: England (UK)


Posted:
Originally Posted By: bbrittanee
One thing i dont like about the poi set i have .. That i juust noticed last night while practising- Is the string.
I have it adjusted to the right length and all.. but when spinning after time it becomes loose and stretches out farther then the length i made it. Since its adjustable, pulling down the knot to adjust it..is starting to fray the string itself.
I was debating whether or not i should untie the whole string and just tie it and attatch it to my length (without the adjusting knot thing)


If the adjuster means you have two lengths of string running up to your handle and then going around the handle (in a larkshead knot i think?) and your sure of the exact length you want then take the length of double string and knot it so you end up with two knots. this should stop the string changing length, be warned this knot is quite hard to get out after a couple of intensive spinning sessions.

PB

fire is alive. it lives and breathes. it consumes and destroys. but we control it and live with it, we are fire dancers



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