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I'd like to second the comment about not only having it on your thumb. Try an extra finger too. amazing what you can get away with.

I don't see the harm in trying to match skin tone. Why not take the extra precaution if it helps the person to get over their mental hurdle.

The whole "color doesn't matter" way of thinking is true but not as much so as it once were. Yes, there was a time when magicians used TTs that were their natural metallic color or one of the primary colors. What people seem to want to ignore is that they were mostly used in parlor settings and that they were the size of thimbles. Mighty easy for the magi who is a couple of yards away from the front row and performing AT specs seated directly in front of him to hide a thimble, no?

This doesn't mean a hill of beans to someone who is trying to pull it off in close-up work where he's performing WITH the specs who are standing in a semi-circle around him.

If you can pull off using a neon pink with flashing lights TT that's the size of a foot, more power to you. Why shove it onto a beginner?

.robb. wrote:I don't see the harm in trying to match skin tone. Why not take the extra precaution if it helps the person to get over their mental hurdle.

The whole "color doesn't matter" way of thinking is true but not as much so as it once were. Yes, there was a time when magicians used TTs that were their natural metallic color or one of the primary colors. What people seem to want to ignore is that they were mostly used in parlor settings and that they were the size of thimbles. Mighty easy for the magi who is a couple of yards away from the front row and performing AT specs seated directly in front of him to hide a thimble, no?

This doesn't mean a hill of beans to someone who is trying to pull it off in close-up work where he's performing WITH the specs who are standing in a semi-circle around him.

If you can pull off using a neon pink with flashing lights TT that's the size of a foot, more power to you. Why shove it onto a beginner?

Amen to that!

You COULD drive to Cape Town in a rubbish old car that has barely passed it's MOT, the only person you are proving something to is yourself, and that will never end well...

Starving Stu wrote:Ahhh the old 'My TT needs to match my skin tone exactly' thing.

Ask what one of the things that can drive a magic shop worker to bounce off the nearest wall in a fit of frustration and it's this. So many customers moan that a TT doesn't match exactly their skin tone!

It matters not one jot.

To prove my point I then employ a cheeky technique taught to me. I vanish a silk and then say 'Did you see the TT?', when the customer says no I show I have in fact used a Black African TT. And I really have.

The TT is never spotted, no matter what colour or texture it has, as long as the proper techniques are practised and then used. That's the important thing. Not how the utility device looks, but how it is used.

As mentioned by other clever sausages in this topic, Vernet TTs are the way to go. Most places sell them for £3.50. Bargain.

As soon as I started reading this thread I was reminded of similar posts to this and discussions I have listened to and Stu gave his example of using a Black African TT. I have known a few coloured and asian magicians who have ended up useing the pale coloured TT. Colour is a side issue.

The points for good handling have been mentioned through out the thread and is much more important. At the moment I am teaching a teenager some magic and have been working with a TT. He told me about some handling he had read about and it made me cringe. It was all about how you should hide the TT at every opportunity behind your other hand. It is not necessary following the advice that had already been shared in this post you can use a TT but as with many routines at such close quarters you need to remain natural.

.robb. wrote:The whole "color doesn't matter" way of thinking is true but not as much so as it once were. Yes, there was a time when magicians used TTs that were their natural metallic color or one of the primary colors. What people seem to want to ignore is that they were mostly used in parlor settings and that they were the size of thimbles. Mighty easy for the magi who is a couple of yards away from the front row and performing AT specs seated directly in front of him to hide a thimble, no?

Agreed. Its only true to a certain extent, and for certain routines. Ive also mentioned this on another similar thread. While Im all for tradition in magic, this attitude is outdated and just seems to have stuck. As Robb pointed out, the first versions of the prop were nothing more than painted thimbles, and simply HAD to be kept hidden. In those days proper technique would indeed have meant that the prop was never seen. But things have changed since then with new designs and materials. This ''with proper technique the tip is NEVER seen'' is nonsense. By this logic guys like Michael Ammar, David Copperfield and Roger Klause must have poor technique, as all three of them flash the tip during their routines.

Take the classic bi** sw**ch, which is one of my favourite effects. If you are using the tt version and not flashing at all then you are missing the point of the prop. The only advantage to using the tt in this effect is that you CAN flash the dirty hand (briefly and using a natural gesture of course). If youre not going to flash then you may as well just learn a tipless version.

And why someone would use a red or whatever one is beyond me. Surely the point in doing what we do is to entertain and mystify our audience, not to marvel at our own cleverness and be a smart @rse.

jim

There have been several previous threads on this topic which may help, or not. One is at http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic1329.php and the Search Function will probably show the others.

One layman's view:

A few years ago (when I had only a passing interest in magic) an office colleague performed the classic vanishing silk one afternoon - it blew me away. Another workmate familiar with TTs couldn't hold his tongue (probably a little jealous at me being so impressed with the other guy ) and told me the secret in private. I DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM. A f**se th***? Preposterous!

Erwin wrote: A f**se th***?

Relax, it's only an unfounded rumour...

Erwin wrote:One layman's view:

A few years ago (when I had only a passing interest in magic) an office colleague performed the classic vanishing silk one afternoon - it blew me away. Another workmate familiar with TTs couldn't hold his tongue (probably a little jealous at me being so impressed with the other guy ) and told me the secret in private. I DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM. A f**se th***? Preposterous!

Always remember this experience. Never lose sight of what the layman sees.