talkmagic.co.uk

OK - I am concerned about giving too much away but....

Imagine if I bit my nails - badly. That would make a popular tool very difficult for me to use, wouldn't it? (I'm not being to obtuse am I?).

Well, that's the predicament I'm in - I don't bite them, but I just find the said tool very uncomfortable so I wondered what others were available on the market - or which ones members here favour.

I've just got hold of a b**n style writer which I shall tinker with but I wondered if there were any otheres that folks would recommend for ease of use (loading, ditching and writing legibly!)

(Sorry - I do realise that there have been discussions before about the best use of a s***i but, before I'm flamed, I'm really looking for alternatives - such as scarabs, etc and the members view of them..)

cheers,


Sean

There are TT ones too. They're not as teeny as the other kinds, but even people who know about TTs aren't necessarily going to be looking out for them considering what you're doing with it.

Many thanks for that (and the PMs too!) - I guess it's a case of finding the best one for me. Individuality and all that.... what a wonderful thing

cheers,

Sean

I use one of two types most of the time; a TT version or the Banjo Pick design Lee Earle recommends (I prefer these, they aren't as bulky as the other and relatively inexpensive to make, which allows you to have more than enough back-up units in case of breakage, misplacement or sudden gusts of gravity

wait wait wait wait wait WHAT?????

There are plenty out there I have found myself trying to fashion one myself which is really comfortable so far I got the TT top with it firmly into it... I dont want to give to much away but I tend to bite my nails meaning I should be alot smoother with the movements then I actually am.

TLS

Roni gave a talk on these tools at today's Tab meeting. he favours the T.T version.

Boon writer, also knowned as the scarab.

the Curator wrote:Boon writer, also knowned as the scarab.

Ah - that explains why I was having problems finding out more about the Scarab!!

Going to try a TT version - in fact, I might even try to attach by boon to my existing 'natural' TT.... might stick better and still be easily dumpable!

I think I share TLS's pain, too


Sean

I started with the standard swami style, moved onto a boon, wasn't sure...then decided to try, on Cassidy's recommendation a Listo band writer...still testing it...

I only have a TT style swami gimmick, but I find this is good enough. By the way; does anyone have any suggestions for this. I don't know how it works exactly... but if I am right it will solve your problem:

http://www.penguinmagic.com/specialorde ... hp?ID=2702

Tom
xx

magicboygibson wrote:wait wait wait wait wait WHAT?????

Are you referring to my last line?

GUST OF GRAVITY: a term used to refer to a magician's klutziness; the dropping of a device and/or gimmick/prop/animal/assistant, etc. The expressed demonstration, known or otherwise by the audience, in which gravity assumes control of the situation.

The source of this term can be traced to the late 20th century, west coast region of the United States (California) and its application by magicians Dean Hankey, Kevin James, Franz Harary, Craig Browning and others of their clique.


The Listo styled writer was popularized within the P.E.A. (Psychic Entertainer's Assoc.) during the 1970s and introduced to the general magic fraternity in the 1980s via Basom Jones' MAGICK and later, the Lee Earle Teach-In and SYZYGY video series. Cassidy's use and support of the device being an extension to the P.E.A. connection as is the case with most early year masters of mentalism. HOWEVER, the purpose behind the Listo Writer centers on the need to make a bold mark that can be readily seen from the stage. Too, the kind of mark left by the Listo Writer tends to resemble that of the popular felt tipped pens used in that era... in other words, it was a solution and way around what the new Sharpie Writers now aids us in dealing with.

When working a smaller group under more intimate settings a traditional lead or ink writer is far more practical and less likely to bring up questions that the china marker "waxy" look can do in said circumstances.

INK WRITERS in which one is reproducing writing done with a traditional Ball Point styled pen, can prove problematic due to tip placement and potential leakage in the pocket, on your hands, etc. so you must keep your eye on all seals, connections and point cleanliness... prelude use by "scratching" the tip out on a piece of paper prior to need. Too, due to the need for an ink supply, most ink writers will be of the TT variety.

TT all the way. Good enough for Roni, good enough for me.

you just have to spend the money and try them out yourself I'm afraid, cos everyones thumbs are different, and each will suit a different type of swami...

IAIN wrote:you just have to spend the money and try them out yourself I'm afraid, cos everyones thumbs are different, and each will suit a different type of swami...

I fear I have come to the same wallet-worrying conclusion