Spirit Slates from Alakazam

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Spirit Slates from Alakazam

Postby IAIN » May 8th, '06, 09:18



http://www.alakazam.co.uk/acatalog/Alak ... 24_13.html

Quick Review - Spirit Slates £26

Right ok - basically you get two A4ish sized slates, wooden frame, chalk and an extra something.

Just add Annemann and Corinda to taste...

Even a simple force could then be revealed by the spirits...

Im probably going to weather the frames a little to make them look a little older, they are quite sturdily built and they do the job well.

There is a magnetic version available too apparently...I prefer these personally....

Yes, you could possibly make some yourself, but to be honest - i'd probably hack a limb off in the process...

Superb, im looking forward to using them in a couple weeks time (got a 'do' to erm...do)...i like to introduce them as i objects i got in an auction, i bought a little box of junk (sight unseen) for a tenner and found a few oddities in them...

Anyway, a good quality item, and the usual speedy delivery from Alakazam..

[/b]

IAIN
 

Postby Craig Browning » May 8th, '06, 10:10

Actually, most Arts & Crafts stores (here in the States that would be JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, ... even Wal Mart) carry unfinished Shool Slates in different sizes that can be had for a couple of bucks each... I just made a couple of sets myself... I think it cost me a whole $20.00 for two sets.

The other thing to keep in mind is that not all Spirit Slates are created equal. There are some wonderful locking styled units as well as some exceptionally complicated mechanical sets that sell for thousands of dollars (they're rare but so darned cool).

It really is based on what will work and meet your needs.

My favorite Slate is my own... no frame! It's a simple slate roof shingle and nothing more!

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Postby IAIN » May 8th, '06, 10:46

I did try to find some near me, but to no avail - or rather, the ones i saw where more expensive, and didnt have that extra something with them...

though i did seem some blackboard pens in an Early Learning Centre - they might be worth a look rather than plain old chalk...less messy...

IAIN
 

Re: Spirit Slates from Alakazam

Postby wizard renlim » May 10th, '06, 00:12

Hi Abraxus,

Nice to hear about these slates. I used to have a set and performed a routine in one of Roy Johnson's books for many years. I had them stolen and haven't found a good replacement yet so these may be the ones I need.

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Postby lozey » May 10th, '06, 11:22

mark out of 10 for these?

(C, AH)
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Postby IAIN » May 10th, '06, 11:33

..ooooh yeah, that would of helped...i'd say a solid 8.5 out of 10...

well, now a 9 'cos i've done a little paint job on the frames to "weather" them a little...(which ties into my presentation)....

might be worth a nosey round Early Learning Centre if you fancied making your own? Im very pleased with Alakazam's though...

IAIN
 

Postby Markdini » Jul 8th, '07, 12:17

I am after some slates just for using to write on. And found a place on the net that does plane chalk boards with no "extras" but then I found the review for these but I clicked on the link and there is no slates on that page so are they the same as these?

http://www.alakazam.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000 ... 3a988#a988


Now thats what I call a link

I am master of misdirection, look over there.

We are not falling out young Welshy, we are debating, I think farlsy is an idiot he thinks I am one. We are just talking about who is the bigger idiot.

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Postby Craig Browning » Jul 8th, '07, 14:05

:lol: I'm doing some special demonstration shows here in the States starting in a few weeks. One of the items I have is the Shachnaey Spirit Slate system that is very eerie... folks can actually HEAR the chalk writing and whoever the person is that holds them, can feel the movement.

You can start and stop this action as you may require or use it in a second part of the routine, etc. Then again, we're looking at a set of $600.00 slates.

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Postby Markdini » Jul 8th, '07, 14:39

Any one intrested in a normal slate to use chalk on I have found this place http://www.wildwood-products.co.uk/

But i may go with the spirit slates because of the extras you can use if the mood takes you.

I am master of misdirection, look over there.

We are not falling out young Welshy, we are debating, I think farlsy is an idiot he thinks I am one. We are just talking about who is the bigger idiot.

Vincere Aut Mort
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Postby Craig Browning » Jul 8th, '07, 19:27

Markdini wrote:Any one intrested in a normal slate to use chalk on I have found this place http://www.wildwood-products.co.uk/

But i may go with the spirit slates because of the extras you can use if the mood takes you.


I don't think you catch just how complicated Slate work can be... it's certainly not something you can just do on a whim. It takes timing, practice and cunning for them to be effective regardless of whether you are using the traditional slate board, a dry erase board or mirrors.

Like all of Mentalism and Spiritualistic (Bizarre) styled performance, it's the storyline and ambiance that can make or break this sort of routine. If you are looking at them as a neat trick, you will fail!

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Postby Markdini » Jul 8th, '07, 21:09

Mr Browning you miss understand me. Basicaly I am after a chalk board that i can write words down on to revieal from billet work etc. And find a white board to refective for this. The cost of the two Chalk boards that I have seen would cost the same has the spirit slates. So I would have 2 chalk board with a litte something extra for the same price :D

I am master of misdirection, look over there.

We are not falling out young Welshy, we are debating, I think farlsy is an idiot he thinks I am one. We are just talking about who is the bigger idiot.

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Postby IAIN » Jul 9th, '07, 08:06

try hanklee.org, they do some mini wooden (A5ish size) slates...24 dollar...got a set, the straight forward extra comes with it...

IAIN
 

Postby Reverend Tristan » Mar 6th, '09, 19:50

Did they do a locking magnetic version on their site before?

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Postby Ed Wood » Mar 17th, '09, 20:17

I had a look at the slates Alakazam carries about as year ago and must say I was unimpressed. They looked cheap and nasty. I particularly dislike the plastic writing surface most modern slates use. I question how reflective these will be under stage lights as they are quite glossy. The surface is wrong and as you say, the wood looks too new.
Most people under a certain age will have never seen a blackboard or a piece of chalk so they'll be wondering what the hell you are doing writing on a piece of black plastic with chalk.
My personal opinion is if you use a slate it has to look old and you need to give a reason to be using something old fashioned, quite easy to do if you are doing a bizarre or seance routine.
You can still buy slates that use a genuine wooden blackboard surface and it is easy to make up the extra if you buy two.

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Postby IAIN » Mar 17th, '09, 21:35

Ed, what do you mean by "You can still buy slates that use a genuine wooden blackboard surface"?

I always thought that they were thin sheets of black or grey slate and framed?

i don't work stage - but i was under the impression that some whiteboards were too glossy and reflected the light back too much?

i wonder what ones you looked at...however, i now use the dave powell exotic slates...a little expensive, but look wonderful, and work wonders for me...

i have no problem using slates personally...
:D

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