talkmagic.co.uk

abraxus wrote:i wonder if the metal used in orthodentists would attract to it? i'd hate to see any magician walking down the streets with a group of teenagers attached to his leg...

could go to jail for that!!

its not me officer, its my big bertha...

Just going back to the cutlery/flatware mention on the previous page, I've noticed that whereas some knives and forks are immune to Bertha and her sisters, spoons usually can't help but lunge towards her - even in 'sets' of matched cutlery/flatware. I would have thought all three main utensils would be out of the same metal but apparently not.

Hello.

I don't have experience using magnets for magical purposes, but am reluctant to try them out of fear that I might erase some data from a computer, etc. nearby. Is there any real risk that such a thing might happen with some of these powerful magnets? With laptops and other kinds of data storage showing up in unexpected places, I would want to be certain that nothing catastrophic would happen.

thanks for any advice!

keep all your magnetic reliant stuff well away from the magnets.

But if you're performing in front of an audience, in a restaurant, at work, etc., how can you really know if someone has a PDA etc. in their pocket? Or a pacemaker!

Surely there are reliably safe ways to use these things?

Well, I guess you wait and see!

I've had a frustrating day today, but it's perking up. I ordered the bertha value pack which came this week but had misread/mispresumed the contents - no fault at all of Chris's, I just hadn't been arsed to double check the details. As such, I thought mega bertha was going to be 2"x2"x1/2", not 2x1etc. With this misinformation in mind, I set to selling my M5 equivalent, figuring if I can sell it on eBay for just a bit less than I paid for it (£23), and it was being replaced anyway by the mega bertha, I would be laughing. (As it's a strong one - N45 - I was actually planning to test the potency of each and send the weaker one they'd still be getting a darn strong magnet!). This mild profit (or rather, "re-coup") would fund/justify the beast I ordered from America - 2"x2"x1" - N50!

Well, "the best laid schemes..." is all I can say. Mega bertha - though very cool - was not a direct replacement for the M5-style, but as I'd already put the other on eBay I would have to sell it (although I did consider withdrawing it if I didn't get at least the price I paid - if so I could always order another!). But still - I had my monsterberta-equiv. coming, and if it was actually useable I wouldn't mind the loss of the m5 too much - afterall, I had the berthas for "in hand" work.

Well - on testing the relative power of M5 against monsterbertha, I got them too close. It's taken a fair chip out of the side of the new one, and broke the M5 into two - with some fair old sparks!

So I've now had to disappoint the bidders on my M5 because it's broken, plus I don't even get to keep it really- that's £23 down the drain - plus my new one is not even a day old and I've notched up some reasonable damage! All in all, not a fun morning.

However, I did console myself by having a play with it, strapped to my knee under the table... oooh... so much fun! I'm getting the train home today and I think I'm going to try to sit next to a kid (for a change!) and pull some serious PK effects. Silver lining, here we come!

Mandrake wrote:Just going back to the cutlery/flatware mention on the previous page, I've noticed that whereas some knives and forks are immune to Bertha and her sisters, spoons usually can't help but lunge towards her - even in 'sets' of matched cutlery/flatware. I would have thought all three main utensils would be out of the same metal but apparently not.

Now, that is worth knowing...

Just had a thought.

It could save lives

I know some people perform for free in hospitals for experience and maybe even wellbeing of conscience. I have myself considered this.

I would not advise using any strong magnetic magic for hospital magic.
For one, you are more likely to find someone with a pacemaker (stopping a watch is one thing, but....), and also some of the stronger mags could really play havoc with the hospital's electronic equipment.

It may be no cause for concern, but common sense just kicked in. It has a habit of doing that.

Words to the wise is all

Wait till you go into an arcade in Blackpool etc with it in your jacket pocket, and all the 2p's in those 'penny falls' type machines all start falling down the chutes on their own, then one of your kids shouts across the arcade "Dad, fetch your jacket over here!"

how heavy is the monster bertha? Isn't it uncomfortable when strapped to your wrist?

OK this is what I think of the Monster Bertha package.


The Magnet
The Monster Bertha is very powerful. As I've said previously, I don't think you would want it any more powerful. This power does come with a size compromise though. But I have found that once it is strapped onto my arm I just get used to the size. Although I would be cautious of using it on the knee as it could stick out a bit. (Although I have some trousers in mind with some nicely placed pockets ). The Monster is fairly heavy but like the bulkiness you will get used to it and eventually you will forget it is there.

Extras:

The Strap
The strap is essential. The one provided is pretty good but just a tad tight on my wrist so I will probably go out and get another one. But for now the strap is fine and does it's job.

Gaffed Sharpie
This is awesome! There are no signs at all that it is gaffed, and it is very powerful. You can get some great effects using this and the Monster, making it fly around on a spectators hand or on the table, or whatever! I love this little extra very good.

Shimmed Match and Matchbox
Again another great item is included! Opening the match box it looks like (and is!) a full box of matches. But a special gaff allows the performer to always take the gaffed match! The shimmed match itself, is as descirbed - a shimmed match. No thinking is required to use this. It is all pretty self explanatory once you pass the Monster around and under it. Great addition to the package.

Other Stuff
Selection of 10 Neos
"10 magnets, ranging from 1mm x 1mm cubes to a 1"square flat one! Even some 'rod' magnets for gaffing pencils and pens."
Yep, what it says. Some really really small magnets in here and some other rather bigger ones! These will alow you to gaff loads of things of many sizes. Nice selection.
A TT
A TT is included with instructions to gaff it. The recommended neo is provided in the 10.
Shimming Materials
These include 2" of shim sheet and small metal rods for shimming cards and other things you might think of!
Lump of Plasticine
This is for use with a fantastic routine in the "Get Fluxed: Size Matters" booklet. Or you can just make worms out of it


Get Fluxed: Size Matters
This contains 5 routines and various other little ideas for you. It also explains how to use powerful magnets like the Monster, like where to put them etc. The routines include:
"Pause"
A great effect but I don't really want to say what it is as it would sort of expose the trick. But it's a great mentalism type effect that blows people away. I prefer more subtle uses of magnets and this is certainly that.
"Little Billy's Sad Ending"
This is the plasticine one. Really nice effect which tells the story of Billy and how his plasticine dog came to life.
"Biro Dancer"
A borrowed biro is made to move around. I haven't tried this yet as I've had the gaffed Sharpie to play around with. But if you want to use a spectators own pen, then you can achieve similar results. The suggested neo is included in the 10 extra ones of course.
"Mr Neo"
A neat little trick where you balance one pency on top of another. I've always liked this one.
"Phantazm"
Here a borrowed bank note moves in a glass, leaving no explanation! Again another nice use for the Monster (or any other powerful magnet of course).

Also included are the instructions on gaffing the TT, but more extensive suggestions and routines for this gimmick are included in the regular "Get Fluxed".

I think that's about it. If I have missed anything out please say, but there is so much stuff included to comment on that I'm having trouble keeping track! The items included in this package, give you everything you need to start performing PK effects straight away. The 10 extra neo magnets provided really open up many possibilities for you. If you have an idea with magnets, then this package will have the stuff you need to achieve it. It's as simple as that. If you have no ideas then some great ones are given to you! A fantastic package in my opinion.

The difficulty varies depending on what you want to do. But mainly it is a 1 as most of the stuff is entierly self working, but going up to a 2 or 3 if you want to used borrowed items.

People have commented that they could put together the package for alot less money. To you I say "good luck!". I had a brief look around on the internet at some things, and could see no significant savings to be had. The Monster Berta package though, is not just a collection of cheap magnets. It is a package containing high quality magnets selected by someone with experience, to give you the things you need. Also the gaffs and routines included are ingenious, providing you with the benefit of Seige's knowledge. You can faf around with finding your own magnets, and maybe save a few pounds at the most, or you can get an expertly put together PK package straight to your door, in one order.

I don't have "The Bat" or the "M5", but to be honest I can't think what else the Monster Berta package could need.

If I could generate enough interest, the Monster Bertha accessories (basically everything EXCEPT the Monster) could be sold as a pack for about £28.

But there's a lot of effort goes into each one, as I am sure all owners would concur.

i am generating interest...

*generates interest to seige*

I have just been laughin for a good ten minutes SOLID at Tone's story. Im known for being a clutzs at times so any'mishaps' wouldbe seen as 'Only you could do that Aaron!!'

This thread has swayed my vote

I can just imagine me stuck to the bus stop.. the whole bus looking at me like WTF!! '' Yes,im getting on, just give me a second.. Have you got a spade by any chance??'