Brief introduction to wooden sticks and diaboloing in generalNow there has been some talk about why I use wooden sticks. Usually I just shortly say that the wood is better. What makes a good diabolo stick? I'll let you know the biggest secret in diabolo world, and hear me out. It's not the gear you use. It's not about having good diabolo, perfect string. Not even about having the most amazing sticks ever. What makes you awesome player is simply just you.
If you have weak arm you can make up that with your creative ideas. If you don't have creative ideas just practice something incredibly hard. If you don't have anything I just said, play for fun and realize the second big secret: It doesn't even matter how good you are. However what IS important is that you have fun. That's my vision of diabolo playing really. Why don't I practice 3D constantly or haven't learned it in my 10years of diaboloing? For me it destroys the fun.
Why wood?But let's forget all that for now and focus on GEAR. Specifically diabolo sticks. What makes a good stick? Doesn't hurt when it hits you? String comes from the end (helps infinites and many tricks)? Is thin but durable? Nah. All good things but building on the premise that it's the player not the gear. You can have pretty much anything.
I have used wooden sticks as long as I remember doing diabolo. Don't get me wrong I do own couple pairs of those fancy carbons. I just have never bought myself carbons and I use them for certain tricks. Wood remains my weapon of choice. But I do want quality, I don't like to use those cheap wood sticks they always sell. They hardly last a month in use before the softer quality wood breaks. There's no groove for string, weight is wrong and usually they are just way too long. From the 2003 there has been one craftsman and diabolo player who made us sticks before carbons became a hit. Toni Saikkonen makes great wood sticks and quite many of us used those sticks back in the day. Everybody else started to use Carbons but I still stick with my wood. Once you learn small things where you undo string wrapping around the stick and remember to have control on your genos and integrals wood is perfect. Are they ecological? Yup, when broken you can warm your house with them.
Hickory sticksDuring past 3 years many players have asked me where to get sticks like this. Happy to say, the exact sticks I love. Came now out as my signature model. I'm honored. These are not for anybody, price is high as they are completely hand made and branded with laser signature. Also the are completely made in Finland so no cheap labor here, all the people who made these are properly paid and good friends of mine.
SpecsWidth: 34cm (hand made, some pairs might be 1-2cm longer or shorter than other pairs)
Weight: 35grams per stick (varies between different lengths)
Material: Hickory
Surface: Oiled with Finnish wood oil. Oil tints original color to warmer red.
Durability: 7years of diaboloing with this model, one single stick broken. If you use same set of sticks for 5 years wood slowly starts to bend a little. Color slowly turns to darker brown. And then grayish. After 7years it finally reminds you little of your grandpa's skin.
I know these aren't for anybody. Just a piece of diabolo history and a collectible item to share with you guys. Pricepoint is 50euros per pair. So don't get your hopes up buying a pair for the same amount of money as your weekend candy.
Here are pictures for you guys.
If you want to see them in action look at any video of me doing diabolo. Most likely I use these if I'm not doing slacks. Cheers, and keep up with the practices friends.
Show Posts
