talkmagic.co.uk

IAIN wrote: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...

By genuine I do not mean an actual piece of slate. More a piece of wood painted with black board paint which gives a very matt finish that can be wiped clean with ease.
Yes, that is true with whiteboards hence most people using flipcharts. The slates I looked at in alakazam had a black plasticy coating that was very flimsy, this was quite a glossy surface. Whilst I don't for a minute feel they would reflect light like a white board i did fear that there would be some reflection due to the gloss. Also the flimsiness of them made them appear cheap and I dont think cheap and plasticy props are right for a bizarre effect.
I have no problem using slates but there is a time and place for them and I don't think they should be used with the frequency of Mr. Anneman due to them at times being out of place in the modern world. I have messed around with whiteboard slates but the glossiness of them on stage makes it impossible.
I'll have a look at these Dave Powell slates you mention.

Just looked, they look very nice. If the dollar was stiil at $2 to £1 I'd get a set. Bit pricy now though.

yeah - thats when i got both sets luckily...i think on his site you can actually pick what types of wood you want them framed in...

Last year I bought a set of A4 whiteboards on the assumption that slates are "out of place in the modern world". A few days later, the BBC News showed a piece set in a primary school classroom - the children were all using slates!

Barry

I got some lovely magnetic ones off of Mr Lauten..they have proved most handy...he even touched them up for me....

Just been to local magic shop and found a pair or second hand ungaffed slates (real slate too) for £5 get in he also had a pair of flap ones that had belonged to PD until recently but they looked too much like a magic prop so I passed them up.