talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,

I was going through some of the marvin's magic stuff I'd bought as a kid to see if any of it could be used for tricks. I knew I had a t**** t** (for bill switches, vanishing hanker chief etc.) somewhere which is what i was after as I saw a bill switch explained on a Sankey DVD and so wanted to try it. The problem is that I think it is too dark, small and hard. Any advice on buying a new one. There seems to be vinyl and plastic versions and loads of sizes etc. I hope you understand what I mean, wasn't sure if I could use the actual name of it.

Hi, we usually us TT and most folks who need to know will understand. Online shops will sell these for a fiver or less, and there is quite a choice of materials. Personally I found the normal Vernet TT at about £4.50 to be easy to use, not at all noticeable, and solid enough to keep shape even without any load. There are some very reaslistic looking versions for £20 or so and they're excellent items but many magi here will quite correctly tell you that an 'ordinary' one is just as good and, if you use it right, won't be detected even if you think it might .

The first TT I ever used (and still use) was the one that comes with the
Silk to Panties trick ( http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic2688.p ... ht=panties ). This TT is well up to the job and has never ever been spotted and as an added bonus you get a very amusing trick to boot!

point is.. it doesnt matter.. use what feels right but you should *should* be able to use any TT comfortably as the spec should never see it.

That said, A vernet regular £2 serves me well, while a kingsize Vernet for larger loads is adequate.. and I have a deluxe realistic one for £18 which I just have as its so realistic.

I still use my hard Vernet TT which I got from Davenports about fifteen years ago, for the grand total of £2.50 (IIRC). I use it quite often and it has never been detected by the spectators. Absolutely indispensable prop which every magician should own.

thank you!

I remember I was realy nervous when I first purchased a TT that it would be realy obvious. So I walked around with it all day, shaking peoples hands e.t.c no one noticed. And I'm not talking a special £20 TT im talking a bog standard £2.50 Vernet.

Just a handy tip.

I have quite big hands, so I found it quite difficult to find a tt that fit comfortably over the relevant finger. With the soft models, you can soak these in warm / hot water for a while and you should be able to fit it onto your finger then. By leaving it there for a little while it will cool and hold it's new shape. My one (a 4.50 Vernet) still fits perfectly a year later.

TheLondonI wrote: I walked around with it all day, shaking peoples hands e.t.c no one noticed

Whilst you should never need to wear one for that length of time, I agree it's a good way of becoming familiar and comfortable with it. As an additional aspect, if circumstances make it difficult to wear it in the obvious place, try parking it on the middle finger - it will be equally at home and invisible and can be transferred easily enough for action as and when required.

So have you got any advice on what to consider as far as size is concerned?

Size Matters! It depends on what kind of load you want to deal with. The regular TTs will take 6" silks, possibly 9", but there are longer TTs which will take bigger silks, small fish etc. This is where a bricks and mortar shop scores, at least you can try different TTs on for size.

sorry for resurrecting such an old post but I figured better add to this one than create another.

I've just started using a TT I bought from ebay a few years ago and am getting some great reactions. I think I got them 2 for £2. My only concern is that they are cheap and although I'm not so bothered about the colour match they are a little shiny and can reflect the light. With this in mind I ordered a regular v****t and a king size v****t as I know they are not so shiny.

They arrived today and the trouble is that they are slightly too big for me (girth). I notice there is a junior size which I may well need to go for but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of a practical way that I can adjust them to make them fit a little better as they currently slip off easily.

I appreciate the shiny ones can catch the light and therefore make them more noticable, rub them down with some medium wet and dry, wire wool or glasspaper and it'll give the surface a matt finish.

I read somewhere that some TT's can be moulded to fit better by soaking in hot water and then allowing to cool under a cold tap whilst wearing.

I don't know how true this is or whether it works with some TT's and not others but you may consider it being worth a try.

Is it possible to put this whole thread in the innuendo section as it's overloading the "Carry on" gland in my brain