Devil sticks are based on an ancient Chinese prop. They consist of two sticks, one held in each hand, and a larger stick that’s manipulated by the two handsticks. They were brought to Europe from China and became a popular pastime.

Flower sticks are just like devil sticks, but have tassels on each end. These tend to be more popular among new users, since they move more slowly. I personally prefer the faster moving devil sticks, but the slow movement of flower sticks can also be used to great effect.

The spinning motion of devil sticks makes them a great looking prop. And they can be a lot of fun to learn and experiment with. You may see people in parks using devil sticks for recreation, and sometimes you may see them being used at Renaissance festivals.

Some people use more than one devil stick at a time for a new challenge, but this is very difficult and not for the casual devil-sticker. One very popular trick is the propeller, where the center stick is spun rapidly using one handstick. This is especially cool with two at a time, resembling a dual prop airplane.

If you’re looking for a set of devil sticks, you should make sure you get a decent set. Many are available as cheap toys, and they aren’t weighted properly. Instead of resting nicely on the handstick, the center stick will bounce on it, and it won’t spin properly. If you have one of these sets, you’ll get discouraged quickly without realizing how much fun devil sticks can be with a good set.