Adrienne,

Fire Mecca sells hoops with a lot of options: a few color styles (or blank), solid or felxible wicks, a few diameter options, and multiple break-down options. Not on our site, but available, is lighter hoop material, as well.

www.firemecca.com/c-42-fire-hoops.aspx

Matthew
Fire Mecca

Hiya!

I sell 4, 5, and 6 spoke hoops, with flexible spines. The hoops are collapsible and ultra light, and the 4 spoke version weighs about as much as my practice hoops.

The hoops are more flexible than what you may be used to, so if you're looking for a really solid fire hoop, these may not be for you. I'm not saying that they can't be used by a beginner, but these are made with a more advanced hooper in mind, who wants to do jumps, throws, etc.

Pricing is:

4 spokes - $90
5 spokes - $110
6 spokes - $130

You can see some photos at picasaweb.google.com/nicklikesfire

If you're interested, email me at nicklikesfire (at) gmail.com with what you want and the outside diameter you want or any questions you may have.

There are also several other folks on here that make fire hoops, of various designs. Copperhead Fire, Fire Mecca, Trick Concepts,and Bear Claw all sell hoops that you should look at before making a decision. Best of luck!

-Nick

Ahh yes, the semi-regular search for fire tools. The really tricky part here is that most people do not buy hoops from multiple vendors. At most they buy one or two and start making them at home. The other people who respond will be pro makers, and of course they're going to love their hoops (but probably for different reasons than you will... ;o)

The Fire arts FAQ has a reasonably complete list of fire tool makers, most of which sell hoops.
tribes.tribe.net/FIREFAQ


As for the safety aspect, you're probably not going to get an answer. I posted a spectrum reveiw of some of the issues that people have with hoops, But anyone who actually knows the safety issues with most hoops is probably also selling them too. And it looks really bad to be knockin on other people's equipment.