Gourt Home::Gourt :: Torch (juggling)
Torches are juggling props used in many toss juggling routines. Juggling torches are essentially a club on which the usual bell end has a wick attached on the shaft of the club.
Wicks
The two most common wicks used with juggling torches are: In general, it is best to use hard limiting devices, such as nuts and bolts, to hold the wick onto the shaft of the torch.
Body
The torch body is usually comprised of two parts. The first is the handle, the 10 - 12 inch area of the body where the juggler holds the torch. The handle is usually made of wood or plastic. The second part of the body is known as the shaft. The shaft is usually made of wood, metal, or a combination of wood and metal
Fuels
The most common fuel used with juggling fire torches is white gas, or Coleman fuel. Beginning torch jugglers should use some form of lamp oil (like barbeque lighter fluid or kerosene) since it burns cooler than white gas and is easier on the club itself. If you are doing this for the first time, please be responsible and use common sense (i.e. juggling in a dry field in the middle of the summer is not a good idea). Starting out with only one club lit is a good idea. Using isopropyl alcohol is cooler than other fuels and easier to manage if you catch the wrong end. You should not try this until you can juggle three clubs confidently. When applying the fuel to the wick, place it over a dry wick to catch the drops of excess. Be sure to shake the clubs a few times before lighting and juggling. It's not very popular to spray lit fuel all over yourself and the audience while juggling. After full saturation, the wicks only burn for 5 mins or so (let them cool between lit sessions to prevent meltdown). Blow them out before the wicks themselves start to burn (if you do this, your wicks will last much longer).
Alcohol is generally not considered a good fuel for juggling torches. There is some info at the URL below: http://www.jugglingdb.com/compendium/skills/fire/juggling.html#fuel
Balls
It is possible to buy flammable juggling balls. Gloves are often needed but not always, fyrefli juggling balls for example are designed so the flame sits a few centimeters above the hand. Ball juggling is easier then club juggling and with juggling fire balls, any stage performances look more impressive.
"Torch (juggling)"