talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,

Several times I have tried to purchase swamis. They have all been terrible, quite frankly and all kept falling off my thumb. Short of staples or 'No More Nails', nothing I could find was adhesive enough to make using the gimmick practical. As a result, I have been somewhat deprived of the opportunity to use this fantastic gimmick and recreate the superb effects which it enables.

I mention this not soley because I would like advice on resolving this issue, although I most certainly would be immensley greatful if any could be given, but because independently of this fact, I do not feel as if I have been 'missing out' so to speak. I may be completley wrong here, but I get the impression that swamis aren't used as much as they used to be and I have only seen one used three times in about three years, and two of those times were from the same mentalist. If this is so, and the swami is dying, that would be a terrible shame. It is about as pure and clean as mentalism can get and as a method it is adaptable from effect- method rather than vice versa, which I think is lacking in the general approach Mentalists tend to have towards performance.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Kind Regards

Yes, they are still used. I came up with a cracking idea for one last year (although in the end I was able to use an even bolder method).

While the site's search isn't working quite right these days, a quick search would have revealed this recent thread by someone with a similar problem to you: ftopic40766.php

The problem with swamis is that people don't use pencils any more (apart from school kids and engineers). So it feels wrong. If I could get a good swami with ink, I would be using it all the time.

It's like the newspaper tear; it has become irrelevant because newspapers have become too big to tear. And the razor blade swallow loses its impact as people forget what razor blades are. Magic needs to move with the times.

TonyB wrote:The problem with swamis is that people don't use pencils any more (apart from school kids and engineers). So it feels wrong. If I could get a good swami with ink, I would be using it all the time.

It's like the newspaper tear; it has become irrelevant because newspapers have become too big to tear. And the razor blade swallow loses its impact as people forget what razor blades are. Magic needs to move with the times.

Yea. . . Gene Anderson wouldn't have known the success he knew had he been part of today's culture

The Swami "Problem" is not so new, there are many types because all thumbs aren't created equal and too, the version that works best for one may not be right for others and then we have the point made by Tony, pencil is no longer common. . . but only to a point; most of the workers I know bring a box of "golf pencils" to every performance (short pencils used for games, score cards, etc.) which kind of forces folks to use what's on hand.

Commercially the best sellers now use Listo Lead (grease pencil/crayon/China Marker) with a handful of Sharpie type systems taking up the rear. While there are a handful of ink pen writers, most are not practical and have a nasty habit of either drying out or busting, getting ink all over the place. . . All of this said, I'll suggest you first consider that you will want to experiment a bit with the different kinds of swami devices that are out there so as to find the style that works best for you. I know of few people that work well with the old under-the-nail style and prefer the Boon/Scarab styled device or some variation in which the lead/writer part is located near the center of the thumb vs. the nail. I personally use Banjo Picks that I modify with a rivet and bit of epoxy, glue the lead into the rivet using super-glue and paint to match my flesh tone. . . for under a dollar I have a reliable gaff and more importantly, I'm able to have several of them in my pockets in case one breaks, gets dropped, etc. (and it will happen; anyone that does more than 5 actual shows a month will vouch for this type of visit from Mr. Murphy).

You can make a similar, though bulkier version of the same via TT. I prefer this when using Listo in that it seems to bond better with the plastic over the metal pick.

I believe Lee Earle's SWAMI GIMMICK TEACH-IN video will give you details on the Banjo Pick design as well as experienced overview when it comes to the in's & outs of using the things.

Hope this helps you out.

Lincoln's Best Boon is what I use and am very happy with it

Thanks for the replies.

I think I will look into the banjo pick option.

I have heard universally positive reviews of the 'Lincoln's best boon', and if I remember correctly that it came with a special type of blu-tack or something like that which you can only get in America. Does anyone know what this is and if it actually works?

As for the problem with the pencil, I don't think it's completley valid. I have had to use pencil before and whilst I strongly think that mentalists have a bad habit of neglecting their audience's intelligence to the point of insult, I do not expect anyone to think 'Hmm... what suspect heterodoxy this man demonstrates in his selection of writing utensil. The only logical conclusion is that he has some device on his thumb.' If the midirection, presentation, emphasis and naturalness is correct, the audience should have no idea any trickery was even possible. On these grounds, I don't even think any remark should be made to 'justify' the pencil motivated by guilt rather than naturalness. It depends on the enviroment, in a less formal enviroment 'Sorry, I've only a pencil' might perhaps be natural, but when performing, unless you are trying to depict yourself as unprepared, it only draws unneccessary attention to it. That said, I do think as a matter of detail and due attention the pencil leads should match.

I believe Tony's been around plenty to validate his findings; in certain circumstances (working environments) people may simply pull their pen from their pocket leaving you with two problems; the fact that it is ink pen and not knowing which color of ink it writes. . . not a comfortable position to be in and trust me when I say that you will run across those jerks that will deliberately use a pen and an odd ink contrast like Pink or Purple or Green just to screw with you. While I'm confident that Tony knows how to work around such ignorance I doubt it's something he'd take too kindly to.

Yes, I'm taking such antics further than they would typically go in that example, but as a working pro that does hundreds if not thousands of "shows" a year, it is something you must weigh. . . especially when it comes to ink vs. pencil. This is why more and more of us deliberately hand the writing utensil to the patron and why, in today's world, it's typically a China Marker.

Mumbungo wrote:
I have heard universally positive reviews of the 'Lincoln's best boon', and if I remember correctly that it came with a special type of blu-tack or something like that which you can only get in America. Does anyone know what this is and if it actually works?

Yes it comes with extra sticky orange blutak, no idea of trade name in the US. Yes it works. And I have very sweaty hands due to thyroid issue and it still sticks like glue.

Dye Vernon wrote:

Mumbungo wrote:
I have heard universally positive reviews of the 'Lincoln's best boon', and if I remember correctly that it came with a special type of blu-tack or something like that which you can only get in America. Does anyone know what this is and if it actually works?

Yes it comes with extra sticky orange blutak, no idea of trade name in the US. Yes it works. And I have very sweaty hands due to thyroid issue and it still sticks like glue.

My little Vernet Boon Writer has always been perfect with a blob of well-worked Blu-Tak.

I have a TT one and also do PW.

I used to carry a dried out pen as a convincer for using a pencil but do not bother anymore. It's the writing that is usually important, not what it is written in.

The Swami is the item I use the most (well, second only to the Centre Tear).

If what you say is true and less people are using the Swami then it is fine by me!

Using a pencil to jot down a thought goes right by the audience without a problem. Worrying about using an ink writing tool may just be a magician thing.

Dye Vernon- Thanks for the reply, if blu-tack doesn't work, I'll try and track some down.

Tomo- What a shame I lost my Vernet writer. But I remember that no matter what I did with the blu-tack, it didn't last long. Nonetheless, I shall give it another go, thanks for that.

Bearfoot Boy- True! Perhaps it's a good thing XD (Although I despise the c. tear, I hate to say. Take it you're a Corinda fan?)

I am absolutely a Corinda fan!

Why do hate the Centre Tear though?

I don't like the way Paul does the centre tear. He tears up the paper with his feet instead of his fingers. I think it is a bit off putting to discerning audiences.

mark lewis wrote:I don't like the way Paul does the centre tear. He tears up the paper with his feet instead of his fingers. I think it is a bit off putting to discerning audiences.

It needs to be seen to be believed, people!

I also use a Swami Gimmick on my toe as well. (This I actually CAN do!)