From: marko@IMD.Sterling.COM (Mark Olson)
Subject: Re: Clubs
Keywords: mickey mouse, norphins or trolls?!?!, spiderman rules.
Organization: Sterling Software, IMD
Distribution: all who care
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 15:30:36 GMT
X-Md4-Signature: 9b0ed9cbfef10a42a62da603f9752093

In article <1992Sep29.030449.26448@newshost.unh.edu> efk@kepler.unh.edu (Edward F Keisling) writes:
>
>ok, i am looking to buy clubs and would like some advice :)
>
>right now i have elans (finger killers) and would like to 
>upgrade to something better..... i would like something i could
>pass with, that are somewhat durable, and flashy.  i admit that
>i am not even close to joe pro juggler (i have just started)
>but i can see myself juggling recreationally for the rest of my life.
>
>so, IYHO, what should i get?  what is the difference between Dube europeans
>and todd smith europeans?  what are the tood smith european satellites?
>i would like to make this a one time investment!!!
>

I have never juggled Todd Smith's Europeans, so I can't comment on them,
however, I have juggled Dube' and Renegade Clubs on a regular basis and can 
recommend either one.  Here are some items that may help you in making your 
decision.

(I wish that I was getting a commission for this, however, I have no financial
stake in either Renegade or Dube', I am merely a satisfied customer.)

                           Length      Diameter      Weight      Price
Renegade Standard Clubs     20.25"      3.625"        9.06oz.    $23.00(U.S.)
Dube European Clubs         20.5"       3.25"         9.25oz     $25.00(U.S.)

Both the Dube and the Renegade Clubs can be custom made in different lengths,
wieghts, and colors.  Of course, the length and decoration will affect the
weight of the club (Renegade offers a lightweight version of its club, they
will weigh less than 247 grams (8.7 oz.). The Dube' European, in addition to 
its 20.5" length, is also available in a shorthandled version which is 19" 
long.  The Renegade is available in 20", 19.75", 19.5", AND 19.25" lengths.  
To quote the Renegade Catalog:

   Club length affects how a club spins.  Long clubs will spin slower than
   short ones given the same amount of effort.  Long clubs are best suited for
   body throws, club passing, and learning five clubs due to the slower spin.
   A medium length club may be preferred by smaller people because it takes
   less effor to flip.  The advanced juggler often picks a specific size
   depending on personal preferences.  Long (20.25") is the most common length 
   that jugglers choose.

The data from our local club would back the assertion that long clubs are the 
most common.  Most, if not all, jugglers in our club juggle 20.5" Dube 
Europeans.

Dube' European Clubs are available with the following decorations and colors:

   Knob, End      Handle                Center Arc, End Arc
   =========      ==========            ===================
   Black          Gold Vynar            Vinyl Colors - Red, Yellow, Blue,
   White          Silver Vynar          Green, Hot Pink, Purple, Black
                  White Vinyl           Metallic Colors - Red, Blue,
                                        Purple
                                        Vynar Colors - Gold, Silver

When you order clubs, the Dube' catalog says to pick one color for each 
category, e.g. black for the knobs, silver for the handle, and metallic blue 
for the center and end arcs.  However, I know some people who have red metallic
end arcs and blue metallic center arcs, so there is obviously some flexibility 
on Dube''s part with regard to decorations.  The knob and end are joined to 
the handle with a screws and glue so they will hold in place quite securely. 
The handles have a springy yet firm plastic base and are wrapped either with 
the vynar or vinyl. The decorations, the center arc and the end arc, are taped 
in place with black vinyl tape.

Dube' has added a number of new colors and, I believe, has different body colors
as well. (I don't have a new catalog (I don't believe that they have a
new catalog yet) so I can't describe the new colors for you).  All of their
club bodies used to be white. Give them a call to get the latest colors and 
prices.

Renegade Clubs are available in a variety of colors and decorations.  Handles 
may either be a wrapped plastic handle or a taped handle (made with softer 
plastic and taped with .75" vinyl tape).  


   Knob, End      Handle                Center Arc, End Arc
   =========      ==========            ===================
   Black, White   White                 Mylar Colors - Silver, Gold
                  Taped                 Hologram Colors - Silver
                                        Vegas Colors - Silver
                                        Lexan - you provide the design or logo
                                        covered by clear plastic (available for
                                        single decorations only (covering the
                                        center arc)

   Body Colors
   ===========
   purple, blue, aqua, green, yellow, orange, tangerine, red, 
   hot pink, and white.  

   Tape Colors
   ===========
   white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, lavender, black 

The final price of Renegades depends upon the options that you choose.

   Base Price: $23.00                      Lexan Coverings
                                               Single Decoration Only  3.00
   Handle Type: 
      standard: N/C                        Lightweight Dowels          1.00
      taped:    2.00
                                           Tape Detailing
   Club Length: N/C                             Decorated Clubs        2.00
                                                Undecorated Clubs       .50
   Mylar, Hologram, or Vegas Decorations
      Fully decorated:   3.00
      Single Decoration: 2.00

Renegade knobs and ends are glued in place.

I have had the same set of Dube' Europeans for about almost four years now.  I
have juggled them over concrete (with plenty of high drops), bounced them off
of various pieces of office furniture with sharp edges, beat them against
desks, and my kids seem to think that they make swell baseball bats.  They have
weathered ~very~ well.  In my opinion, the Dube' handles are the best in the
business.  They are just springy enough that they are easy on your hands and
they are just tacky enough that they won't slip when your palms get sweaty.
The Renegade taped handles are just a little too slippery when you take them
out of the box but they get tacky over time.  They have a diffferent feel to
them since they are a litter fatter.  They almost juggle like American style
clubs (when I try to sneak into a feed with Renegades and everyone else is
juggling Dube''s, someone invariably says "Who's juggling the f****** 
americans").

I selected Dube''s originaly because everyone in our local club juggled them.
I later bought some Renegade's 'cuase I thought they were cool, but now, I like
to juggle them the best.  I think that you can't go wrong with either Dube' or
Renegade.  They are both good vendors and produce quality products.

   Brian Dube, Inc
   520 Broadway 3rd Floor
   New York, NY 10012  USA
   (212) 941-0060
   Fax: (212) 941-0793

   Renegade Juggling Equipment
   P.O. Box 406A
   Santa Cruz, CA 95061 USA
   (408) 426-7343

Sorry, this got a little long, I hope that it is of some use.

Mark Olson
-- 
Mark Olson  || marko@IMD.Sterling.COM -or- uunet!sparky!marko
Newsgroups: rec.juggling