talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

Props for the classic cups and balls. The oldest magic trick in the world, and the second oldest trick in the world.


Cost
$200 from http://www.industrialstrengthmagic.com/site/PCB.htm


Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

3-5


Review

I admittedly don't do a very original cups and balls routine while busking, just a mutilation of the Gazzo, Cellini, and Penn and Teller routines. That aside, I use my cups. I toss them around the floor to make noise and draw a crowd. I hit them with my home-made indestructible fiberglass wand. I do everything short of throwing them on the ground.

My first purchase of copper cups was the Penguin cups. They sounded nice, were much heavier and pleasant than my old aluminum cups, and held lacrosse balls very well. But man, were they fragile! All three cups were conspicuously dented after just a day out on the street. Not a good sign.

Last week, I got the Phoenix cups for about half price (minus the box, wand, and balls) and took them out to Hollywood. They are noticeably larger than the Penguin cups, but still do well holding lacrosse balls for final loads. If I slam them a little too hard while they are nested, a couple of the cups can occasionally get stuck. But man oh man, these are a major upgrade for busking! I abused the hell out of these cups-- much more than the penguin cups-- and they only developed a patina. No dents. And I can just tell by the way they feel that they won't be getting any dents for a long time to come.


Overall

8.5/10

These cups were exactly what I was looking for-- tanks. The Phoenix Cups are tough as hell, look pretty nice, and are a decent size. It loses some points for not nesting perfectly and for getting stuck once in a while, but if any of you guys abuse your cups and balls sets, get these cups. They can handle it.