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One of the questions we get surprisingly often is, “Can I shorten my poi later?”
The answer depends almost entirely on how the handle is attached to the tether. Different manufacturers use different attachment methods, and some are much easier to modify than others.
1. Stopper Knot and Washer
This is one of the most common ways poi knobs are attached on relaxed thinner ropes. The rope is threaded through the knob, a washer is placed on the end, and a stopper knot is tied behind it to prevent the rope from pulling back through.
Some knobs have a metal ring or washer built into the design, which serves the same purpose and eliminates the need for a separate washer.
After the knot is tied, the excess rope is trimmed. Meltable ropes, like polyester or nylon, can have the tip lightly melted to keep the knot from unraveling. Non-meltable ropes, like Technora, are commonly secured with a small amount of super glue or epoxy instead.
One of the biggest advantages of this system is that it’s easy to resize. Simply untie the knot, shorten the tether, and tie it again. Just remember that you can always make the tether shorter, but you can’t make it longer once it’s been cut.
2. Mechanical Stoppers
Some manufacturers use a mechanical stopper instead of a knot, especially for thicker static or hybrid ropes. The most common example is a plastic anchor that’s inserted into the end of the rope and secured with a screw. This works with both meltable and non-meltable materials, including Technora. Some manufacturers also have their own proprietary versions that accomplish the same thing. Similar to the stopper knot method, you’ll still want to melt the end of meltable ropes to prevent fraying, or add a pinch of super glue or epoxy to the end of non-meltable ropes.
Another common method, especially on thicker tethers, is to create a stopper directly on the end of the rope. On meltable materials, this is done by pulling the rope through the knob, adding a washer, then melting and flattening the end against a piece of metal. On non-meltable materials like Technora, some manufacturers accomplish the same thing by shaping the end with epoxy behind the washer. In both cases, the goal is simply to create a stopper that’s too large to pull back through the washer.
These systems are often still adjustable. The anchor can usually be removed, or the stopper can be cut off and recreated (in the case of epoxy), allowing you to shorten the tether and reattach it. Just like knotted tethers, though, you can always make the tether shorter, but you can’t make it longer once material has been removed.
3. Permanent Attachment Methods
Some manufacturers choose a more permanent approach using methods such as:
- Metal crimps
- Fully filling the inside of the knob with epoxy
- Proprietary hardware
While these systems can often be removed by cutting them off, they’re generally not designed to be reused. Crimps and many proprietary hardware systems usually require replacement parts once removed, while epoxy-filled knobs typically need to be rebuilt from scratch. For that reason, these attachment methods are best thought of as fixed-length systems, and it’s usually worth ordering the correct tether length from the start. these types of poi, it’s best to order the correct tether length from the start.
4. Finger Loop Attachments
Finger loops are generally much simpler than knobs.
On chain poi, the finger loop is usually attached directly to a swivel or quick link that connects to the chain, allowing it to rotate freely while also making it easy to replace or swap components.
On rope poi, the end of the tether is commonly spliced to a swivel, which is then connected to the finger loop with a quick link. This creates a strong, clean attachment while still allowing the handle to be removed if needed.
Regardless of the setup, swivels are commonly used because they help reduce twisting and allow the poi to spin more freely.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t one “best” way to attach a poi handle. Every method has its advantages, and manufacturers choose different approaches based on the tether material, thickness, intended use, and how adjustable they want the poi to be.
If being able to change your poi length later is important to you, it’s worth asking the manufacturer how their knobs or handles are attached before ordering. Likewise, if you’re purchasing replacement knobs or finger loops to build or modify your own poi, it’s always a good idea to ask the seller how they’re intended to be attached. Some systems are designed to be easily resized, while others are built as fixed-length setups from day one.
