Synthetics
There is a large variety of plastic suitable for making synthetic canes from, these include Nylon 6, Nylon 66, Delrin and so on. All have different characteristics, but all of them have several definite advantages in common.
1. All of them can withstand being cleaned with boiling water / disinfectant
2. None of them will warp if left damp or "dry-out" if kept in a hot/dry place
3. None of them should shatter in use (Polyester can which is why I will not supply it)
4. All of them are smooth and of a consistent size and density (like for like, same plastic)
The synthetic canes are nominally 1 metre in length (39 inches). The canes can easily be cut down to size if required - or if making a synthetic birch for example. The ends of the cane should be sanded / melted to be as smooth as you require, I can pre-smooth them for you for £1 per cane extra, but you easily do this yourself in about 2 minutes.
The differences between the plastics can be noticeable (especially the density. Nylon 6 is the lightest - but still much denser than bamboo or rattan. Delrin is the densest of all the synthetic canes I have in stock. These canes should be used with caution. Although only a metre (39 inches) long, they are MUCH harder to take than a longer, natural product.
Not all plastics come in all sizes, below is a table showing what canes are usually held in stock. The 15mm and 16mm sizes are for heavy players - or decoration only. 20mm really should be PURELY decoration OR as handles for DIY synthetic birches.
To make a fully synthetic birch, buy one 16mm or 20mm rod and several 6mm / 10mm canes. Cut 6mm and 10mm canes in half and bind/glue to the end of a full or half length 20mm rod. A mixture of sizes / materials will make a very challenging implement - which will not break or dry out - and can be disinfected between play partners.
A "birch kit" is also sold, which contains the following at a discount. If you wish to have an all black or all white birch, or wish to use different materials, please order the items individually. The kit as shown will produce a 6 "twig" birch which will be virtually indestructible. The three "2 x 0.5M lengths" may be supplied as three 90cm - 1m lengths for you to cut to size.
1 x 0.5 Metre Delrin 16mm for use as handle and shaft
2 x 0.5 Metre 6mm nylon 66
2 x 0.5 Metre 10mm nylon 66
2 x 0.5 Metre 6mm Delrin white
There are no bindings and adhesives in the kit, but this is not a difficult thing to source at your local hardware store. Assembly should take about 15 minutes to an hour depending on the bindings / adhesvies used.
VERY strong results have been obtained by "tacking" the rods into the desired position with dots of hot-melt glue - and then when happy with the positioning, the joint is flooded with hot melt and allowed to cool. Then tightly bind the joint with either self-amalgamating tape, insulation tape or any other kind of binding that you choose. Providing you allow at least 6cm for the overlap of the rods to the shaft, the joint should prove extremely durable.
The synthetic birch kit is an intimidating device - but it is only fair to say it handles quite differently from a birch as although the thinner elements/rods are quite whippy, they do not taper away to nothing as the natural version. This is mentioned in case you are familiar with a traditional birch and require something to look/feel/handle the same.
What you may find useful is to purchase locally a few metres of inexpensive THIN white cables - eg: 1 or 2 metres of bell flex, 1 or 2 metres of phone cable, 1 or 2 metres of "figure 8 twin core" and have these mixed in with the canes. This will "round off" the sensations of having thin whippy material as well as some thud from the canes.
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