talkmagic.co.uk

I wouldn't do this trick. Apart from the danger element it really is inappropriate to be performed in a school environment.

I have a 12 year old son whom is learning magic and I would not let him near my spike, If a spike was used in a school I would be very disappointed in the management of that school. We can take the average student who will watch be amazed and go home happy, but what happens to the “Special needs” in that school are they omitted from the show? If a child walks out of that school and tries the same trick with a rusty nail how would you the performer feel? How are the parents going to react? The spike states over 18 on the label I feel it should be kept that way.

I am sorry to seem like a party pooper but where do we draw the line on these things who takes responsibility for what our children see and how some may react to them.

An alternative but not a effective is to cover the spike with something like a sweet tube, then do the routine and lean on each cup rather than smash it. Like I said not as impressive but still leaves them wondering on how it was done.

This is how I did the Spike at Techniquest in Cardiff. click here
Oh and the large cups had Dragon food in them but that's another story lol
Takce Care all

Stom wrote: I've always liked it but never bought it because of the price and the fact the methods I knew of could go wrong, when I found spike I thought it was fool proof which is why I am so keen to perform it.

This is what alarms me too. Not only are you thinking of performing this effect in front of impressionable children, it comes across that you don't actually own it, therefore you have never practiced it.
It sounds like you have seen it advertised and boasted to everyone you could do it before you have even attempted it yourself.

I may be wrong, but this is who it comes across.

Surely there are other ways you can get people to like you? Save these kind of effects for when you are over 18, have practiced it and are performing in an adult environment. (If you're still into magic then)

I'm not a big fan of this effect to be honest. Its probably because I've seen it too many times and forget what it was like the first time. I saw it live on a cruise ship last year and they really dragged it out. My wee sister (14 at the time) even whispered to me saying that she wished they would hurry up.

Its a bit of topic but at the end of said show they did the snow from the wrists followed by the whole room snowing. It was a far better magical moment IMHO compared to some guy smashing a paper cup. I'll admit I got a bit over enthusiastic with the clapping because of too much wine during dinner.

But seriously the point I'm (and many others) trying to make is that there are plenty of other effects out there that can be done which are just as strong as this effect.

Wills wrote:
Its a bit of topic but at the end of said show they did the snow from the wrists followed by the whole room snowing. It was a far better magical moment IMHO compared to some guy smashing a paper cup. I'll admit I got a bit over enthusiastic with the clapping because of too much wine during dinner. .

Snow? It wasn't Loki was it? That boy likes the snow.

No no it wasn't Loki, it was "the worlds only identical twin magicians".

I thought it was quite stupid telling people about them being twins. Imagine the vanishes and re-appearances they could've done if they kept quiet.

Wills wrote:I thought it was quite stupid telling people about them being twins. Imagine the vanishes and re-appearances they could've done if they kept quiet.

I just spat coffee all over my keyboard reading that !!!