…and what is the difference between a devilstick and a flowerstick?
In many countries, the name “devilstick” has become so well established that practically all juggling sticks are called “devilsticks”. But “officially” these sticks are flowersticks.
What they have in common:
– They are both juggling sticks,
– the kit includes 3 sticks ,
– The principle of operation is gyroscopic
The handling/ controlling/ manipulation of flowerstick works on the gyroscopic principle. This means that a rapidly rotating object resists forces to change its direction and tries to maintain its plane of rotation. Gosh, that was a complicated sentence… 🙂
So the more someone spins it, the more it stabilizes its motion. Thus, the spinning devilstick will maintain its rotation direction even if the position of the handsticks (the factors affecting its motion) changes. This way, by manipulating the direction of rotation, the player can perform spectacular tricks.
The most common example of gyroscopic motion is the bicycle, which is also more stable the faster its wheels rotate. Other good examples are the humming top and the spinning top, which are stable as long as they have momentum.
The story in brief
The real devilstick has a longer history, but since it was developed into the flowerstick at the end of the 20th century, the latter has become so popular that it has even taken the name “devil’s stick” in many places!
Few people play with a real devilstick anymore. Mostly professional jugglers. It’s not easy. Hats off to them! A flowerstick is easier to play with. The tricks are quicker to learn and it’s also recommended for children (6 years old). IN FACT! Especially for them! You can play slower, do spectacular leg tricks and kicks, and even spin it between your fingers. And the tassel gives you more tricks to play with. The grippy surface of the flowerstick makes it easier to control than the devilstick.
Flowerstick is definitely recommended for beginners! Its advantages are most tangible at this time. It is much friendlier and more forgiving of mistakes. It is also more suitable for contact juggling. Read more about the History of the devil-flower-stick here.
The flowerstick can be spun by constantly moving and guiding the handsticks , while the devilstick is rather played with small hits, which requires perfect contact to keep the devilstick moving in the desired direction.
Thanks to the weight concentrated at the ends of the stick, the stick’s grippy surface and the gyroscopic effect, movements that seem to defy physics, are possible. This is much more difficult with the “real” devilstick.
The beauty of the flowerstick/ devilstick game lies in the speed and direction of the tricks and pieces, and in the way the different tricks are incorporated into a varied gameplay. It’s like a dance in which you have to find your own rhythm. You achieve lightness, liberation, fluidity, while your movements are interwoven to form a whole.
It takes practice and persistence to achieve this, but the journey you take is beautiful in itself. And if you really want to feel that devilstick/ flowerstick feeling, put on your favourite music and start moving to it. Your game will turn into a dance over time. When you do this, not only will you easily get to the heart of the game, but another world will open up to you. The outside world will slowly cease to be important, and it will just be you, the music and of course the flowerstick…. 🙂 .. You will find the power! The real FLOW! (like in this video).
Differences in material, shape, size and usability
The ends of the flowersticks have flower-shaped tassels.
The stick has an even diameter all the way around. Thickness 0,5 – 1cm. The thinner it is, the more flexible it is, thus taking advantage of the resulting, more continuous grip (contact juggling). A good quality, flexible fiberglass flowerstick is virtually unbreakable.
There are no tassels on the ends. Instead, the stick has a conical shape. It thins from the ends towards the middle.
As the ends are thicker, more weight is concentrated there, so no tassels are needed.
The thickness/diameter of the stick varies: 2-5 cm at the ends and 1-2 cm in the middle. Unfortunately, like a stiff flowerstick, it can bend/break, although this is less likely as the stick is typically thicker.
There are both short and long flowersticks. Children (over 6 years) can learn to play with the shorter ones (45-50cm).
The longer ones (55-75cm rods) are typically preferred by those who prefer slower play. However, they are also recommended for adults who do not play well with a faster, shorter stick. A longer stick is slower and more deliberate and therefore more forgiving with mistakes.
It only comes in long versions (60 – 75cm), so not recommended for children.
Its greater length is due to its shape and material. A short devilstick would spin too fast, making it difficult to control.
Lighter (150-300g)
The weight is concentrated at the ends of the rod. This helps the spin.
Heavier (250-400g)
Weight is less concentrated at the ends of the stick.
Grippy: All flowersticks are coated with a grippy material, which increases the friction between the main stick and the handsticks, making the game easier to control. The coating material can be fabric, rubber, leather or silicone.
In many cases, it is not covered with a grippy material because the conical shape makes this difficult. If there is a cover, it is usually wrapped around the stick, which is more vulnerable. It is therefore much more difficult to use and requires more experience to use.
Can be made of both rigid and flexible materials.
The biggest advantage of flexible sticks is that they are flexible, which means they provide more continuous contact between the flowerstick and the handstick. This allows for better controllability and therefore easier play and more beautiful tricks. Rigid sticks are typically used for more advanced levels and hand-play.
In all cases, it is made of a rigid material.
… and there’s plenty of room here besides the big-boned muscle man, so I’ll write here about how good it is to be involved in something great. To create something good. Because the devilstick is very much that. Colourful things everywhere, smiling people. And it’s also a very useful, developing thing that makes the world a little bit better 🙂
Constant contact between handsticks and the flowerstick. Leads the flowerstick.
Both fast and slow play.
Easier tricks, more tricks (e.g. with foot, finger, hooking in tassel)
Easy to use and can be used for slow tricks (both slow and fast tricks). Also suitable for foot tricks (kicks) and spinning between fingers. It is also easier to throw and catch than the devilstick. It is considerably easier to play with. Especially for beginners. More forgiving nature, more forgiving of mistakes.
Less contact between the handsticks and the devilstick. It’s more like hitting the stick rather than guiding it.
A high-paced, fast game.
Harder game! Unsuitable for kicks, finger spins
Reacts more quickly to movements of the handstick. Recommended for quick, agile tricks. Those who have played with a “flowerstick” before and then try the real devilstick typically find it very difficult. Some of the tricks can be done with it, but it is a much tougher nut to crack. And without handsticks, you quickly run out of tricks.
If the rod is made of a rigid material, it can bend or break. However, if made of good quality, flexible fiberglass, the rod is virtually indestructible.
Tassels can be fragile, depending on the material, and the way they are attached can make a difference.
The cover will wear with use, so it is worth taking care of it. It should not be played with in sand or mud and should be washed occasionally.
If you want your own stick to last a long time, read this: How to look after your flowerstick?
All that is true of a stiff flowerstick: it can break, it can bend.
Since they don’t usually come with a grippy cover, you shouldn’t have a problem with that. However, if it does have one, it is usually wrapped with a rubber or silicone strip, which, if it gets damaged somewhere, can break (and fall off the stick) over time.
For everyone from beginner to advanced level. The shorter flowersticks are also recommended for children (from about 6 years)
If you want more advice on how to choose, click here: How to choose a flowerstick?
Recommended for adults only, experienced jugglers and challenge seekers, and those who like a fast, spinning, bouncy game.
Hats off to those who learn to play with the original devilstick. A tough nut to crack compared to the flowerstick. Watch out! If you try our stick, you may not go back to the old one… 😉
If you’d like to read more about flowerstick & devilsticks, you might want to continue with:
What is a good flowerstick like?
(in the last one you will also find an interesting comparison test of nearly 20 devil sticks)
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