Hello.

I'm planning on buying a set of torches for a street routine but I don't know which ones would be best for buying. I don't have a fat wallet but I'm ready to pay in the 80-120$ US range. I was thinking about renegades or dube. I wanted renegades because they come decorated but then I was thinking whether that mattered much since torch juggling usually takes place after the sun has gone down. I've made my own torches before but they're rather dangerous and every now and then the cotton wicking falls off in the middle of a performance.

Any suggestions?

I have heard that Henry's makes some of the best torches.

Here is the link: http://www.henrys-online.de/Webshop/enter.html?lang=en-us

Hope this helps,
Phil

I got a lot of use out of my Dube Classics—but if you wanted to make your own more safe, you could just order the replacement wicks from Dube.com and rewrap your torches with those. Add a couple screws to hold the wick on there and you're set.

Do the Dubes blacken really easily?

Your best bet is to go to a retailer and try them before you buy. Here's a link to some of the shops in Canada:

http://www.jugglingdb.com/vendors/index.php?country=38

However, if you're used to juggling one make of clubs, you're usually best sticking to that make of torches too.

Paul

I carry an old dark-colored towel right in my torch bag to wipe my torches down before putting them away. Some fuels produce more smoke than others.

All of the tourches are probably well-made but their handles may be different, as well as weight and balance. You will get used to whatever you buy. If you replace your wick when needed, you will get a longer burn time and will have a safe tool. If there is a juggling club in your area they may have several different types there.

Hope this helps.

I love my Henry's but I would not buy a set of clubs or torches without trying them out first...

Honestly not sure which brand my torches are, but the wooden handles start to bruise the palms after intense practice sessions.

Go to WalMart and get grips for tennis rackets. Wrap them around the handles of your torches (or clubs for that matter). The difference in comfort is UNBELIEVABLE!

If you're looking at doing street work, I suggest you get heavy torches. The wind is bad where I live, and I went through a few torches before I found the ones I use now and am happy with.
I use Dube Torches, for 2 reasons. The first being I have a Dube fetish, and the second being they are a solid, smart and well made club. The best, in my opinion. A little more expensive, I understand. But worth it.

I have a homemade set, also. Which I made a number of years ago on a $15 budget. Works okay, looks okay, but are very light and not as professional as the ones I use now.

Nathan- wouldn't your idea make the handles flammable? Most well made fire torches do not have wooden handles and so wrapping them shouldn't be necessary.
I would personally recommend Henry's niteflite torches.

I just got these cheapos for $80 at the local magic shop. The juggling is mostly just a hobby, I don't perform a juggling act in my show. Once in a while I'll teach a juggling class.

The grips only extend from the end of the handle to about 6 inches below the metal shaft. I've never had any troubles with them catching on fire.

Happy Juggling!

Nathan

I have a set of renegades myself. The dubes are wonderful. I have juggle with them before, but they are expensive. The renegades are not as well made, there are some plastic parts and they need to be retaped after serious use. They are a lot cheaper however and if you juggle a lot and wear out equipment regularly then I would go with renegades. Any torch is going to blacken easily. I carry my torches in a plastic bag to keep them off of my other props.
Ralph

I currently own a set of the standard Dube with the wooden handles, but if I could buy any torches I wanted I'd immediately get the Dube ones with the Europeon club style handles. They'll run you a good $130 or $140, but it'll serve you better in the long run.

I wish now that I had saved for those instead of getting the ones I have. The balance on my set is great but the handles beat the heck out of my hands. (Though they helped improve a flaw in my style that I didn't know I had. Bruises are good teachers).

Regarding wicks,

Don't let the wick burn. When the fuel is nearly gone the flames will become much smaller then they were originally as they're burning the wick instead of the fuel. Blow them out at this point. Your wicks will last MUCH longer this way.