Pen Gimmick

Struggling with an effect? Any tips (without giving too much away!) you'd like to share?

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Pen Gimmick

Postby ArcticBanana » Dec 22nd, '07, 09:36



Hey everyone,

I just got a christmas present early because of winter solstice.

Turns out it it's a Pen Gimmick. the instruction sheet said it is similar to TT, is a bit larger, and attaches to a pen rather then your T___. The instructions quickly teach you a silk vanish, silk production, silk color change, Salt pour, liquid production, and a cut and restored rope.

I am really still a beginner, and have mainly only been learning though the RRTCM. I have zero experience with the TT or any gimmick for that matter. (other than the billiard s***l) Would it be advisable to pick up some sort of TT training and try to apply it to this gimmick? Has anyone had any experience with this gimmick who would share some insight?

Once again, thanks in advance

-ab

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Postby magicofthemind » Dec 22nd, '07, 11:20

Just Googled and found it here:

http://www.mreenterprises.co.uk/viewproduct.php?id=492

It sounds fascinating - I'd be interested to hear about practical experience with it.

Barry

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Postby ArcticBanana » Dec 24th, '07, 00:03

well I have been playing with it for about two days. As I said before I don't have any experience with a TT so I can't compare the two and I can't apply and previous experience to this gimmick.

So far I have only been working on vanishing a 12" silk, which fits in quite nicely. I tried the vanish on one person and they assumed that the pen "sucked the silk up into it."

It seems like it would be fun to use the pen (which is a completely normal, un-gimmicked pen by itself) as a impromptu magic wand throughout a performance so that it would not draw any attention to itself when it was used with the gimmick.


On a side note, I was wondering if this is an obscure gimmick or if anyone else had it? I would love to hear from people who have had more experience with it.

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Postby Phas3r » Dec 25th, '07, 03:55

I havent tried this gimmick but i believe you should buy a TT if you havent one.

Its very cheap, under 10$ and will help you in finding idea for the pen i think.

Also the TT is a must have, its very easy to use and very effective.

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Postby dat8962 » Dec 25th, '07, 12:01

I've had one of these for a while but haven't really done that much with it as my preference is with a TT.

It's true that the same principle applies for both, it's just the handling is different although it's rather simple. You just need to get used to it and yes, it does allow larger loads than a TT.

BTW, I believe that the more traditional name for this item is a 'poke' and mine fits better onto a pencil than a pen (a biro would be best as it won't fit all pens). You can introduce the pencil as a sort of 'magic wand' which gives you reason to have it.

Sharpen the pencil and vanish the shavings is rather cool with specs. :wink: :lol:

Member of the Magic Circle & The 2009 British Isles Close-Up Magician of the Year
It's not really an optical illusion - it just looks like one!
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Postby ArcticBanana » Dec 26th, '07, 20:03

Yeah, I just got the sponge ball toolbox for christmas yesterday and found another one of these in there. Steve Dacri says it's called a silk poke.

However, there is a slight variation between the two pokes I have: The sponge ball poke is plastic and is made to fit a range of pencils and sticks. The "pen gimmick" poke is made of what seems to be aluminum, and fits only the pen that it came with, when the tip of the pen is retracted. If you click the tip out while the poke is still attached the poke will pop off. This seems handy to me but I haven't thought of anything to do with it other than take the poke off as I take the pen out of my pocket to show people.

I like the idea with the sharpener, Ill have to try that.

Does anyone know of any good poke resources?

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Postby magicofthemind » Dec 27th, '07, 11:01

Thanks.

A Google search for "silk poke vanisher" comes up with a Goshman version. Some dealers have a (very dark) video clip. As with the Pen Gimmick, it's more than twice the US price in the UK.

Barry

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