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My next stage show will feature quite an extended blindfold routine.

I normally do well with the classic coins, gaffer tape and scarf combination, but comedy clubs are warm places, and I sweat... making the tape peel and getting in the way of the overall effect.

I've tried the trick hood style, but they're even more uncomfortable in hot clubs, and your view is too diffused for any detailed observation.

Ostrlind's stainless steel blindfold certainly makes its point, but I've heard mixed reports from users, it looks a bit 'proppy', and and doesn't pack flat.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good, convincing trick blindfold?

Thanks,

Pete

What sort of vision do you need? If you just need a down nose peek then couldn't you just get away with a sleep mask type blindfold? I've also played around with the folded silk blindfold idea in Corinda which seems to work ok, although have never actually used in in a performance.

strips of raw bacon?

IAIN wrote:strips of raw bacon?

In the heat of a comedy club, the smell would become too much too soon.

A nose peek would do me fine. So long as whatever vision I have is clear and unfuzzied.

My only worry about the sleep mask option is that it seems a bit too simple. I can control with amazing dexterity using my eyebrows, but wonder whether it's enough for the audiences to believe.

Pete

isnt it a case of proving the capabilities of the blindfold first on a punter, who will verify it not working...then you are free to wear it later on too...

even if they wear it during pendulum work...they'll prove it to the audience that its kosher - so you don't have to...

I'd have a look into this:
http://www.lybrary.com/schattenjaeger-s ... p-762.html

Bob describes a bandage with wonderful properties which would suit your needs down to the ground!

Thaumaturge wrote:I'd have a look into this:
http://www.lybrary.com/schattenjaeger-s ... p-762.html

Bob describes a bandage with wonderful properties which would suit your needs down to the ground!

Okay... bought and perused...

And THANK YOU!

It's practical and convincing.

My only worry is that it might bring forth comparisons with Derren in the minds of audiences, but you can't have everything.

If it works as described, it'll definitely be a fooler.

Cheers,

Pete

Your welcome! And it most certainly works!

I bought a few boxes of bandages to experiment with and they really do work a treat! The good thing is that even with just one layer on, to the outsiders looking in there is nowt to see, and, you can wrap your whole face up and breath perfectly.

pcwells wrote:My next stage show will feature quite an extended blindfold routine.

I normally do well with the classic coins, gaffer tape and scarf combination, but comedy clubs are warm places, and I sweat... making the tape peel and getting in the way of the overall effect.

I've tried the trick hood style, but they're even more uncomfortable in hot clubs, and your view is too diffused for any detailed observation.

Ostrlind's stainless steel blindfold certainly makes its point, but I've heard mixed reports from users, it looks a bit 'proppy', and and doesn't pack flat.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good, convincing trick blindfold?

Thanks,

Pete

On the "Elaborate" end of things I like Cassidy's Mardi Gras Blindfold; It's very simple, innocent to look at and boggles the mind... let's face it, you're wrapping 50 feet of medical wrap (like ACE Elastic Bandages) around your head and over your eyes...+ the coins)... then again, I've used my own hood/bag design for years but only during the spring/fall & winter out side (you ought to ask Banachek about some of his experiences with a bag device)

Anywho... the #1 favorite of mine is on pgs 131-132 if Corinda "The Folded Silk Blindfold"... I've also used the Felt device preceding this, in my youth and though I've not personally used it, I've watched a handful of old timers slay the public by using the Reverse Crease method on pg 130. All in all, what makes every one of these so good is their simplicity and somewhat innocent nature.

A Note on Steel Masks... I have one of the original Steel Masks marketed by Gene Marvin decades ago, it is the device that the Osterlind Mask is based on (according to Gene)... my personal experience suggesting that they are all highly overrated for the effect you get. Especially when you can use a standard Airline Eye-Pillow or Sleeping Mask and get the same or better reactions. Steel masks and even all the wrapping, etc. are magic tricks more than a demonstration of PSI Phenomena... as the old saying goes, "What would this look like if a real psychic/mind reader were doing it?"

I think it would be very straight forward, using the simplest, most innocent of device such as a nearby hank (or two) or a package of elastic bandage still in its store shelf packaging (even purchased by the booker or whatever the case ) Magicians strive to "prove it" which is fine when it comes to production value and creating a puzzle. Mentalist/Psychics on the other hand, need but "do it"and not make a big deal of things, trying to convince folks of the impossibility UNLESS they are working on a promotional challenge of some kind... then it's a matter of really hurting their head

Out of pure curiosity, I bought one of the cheaper metal blindfolds that's on the market right now.

It's actually a lot of fun manipulating it with your face to see what kind of different peeks you can get without actually touching the thing. My facial dexterity appears to be such that I can make the blindfold ride up completely clear of my eyes if I need to - then drop back to my nose.

It's also much smaller, lighter and flatter than I expected.

Not sure if I'll use it in performance, though. I still feel it'll need the gaffer tape combo or similar to make it convincing.

And - as I explained to Craig offline - the gaffer tape was a key element in my routine development here. I'd hate to lose it!

Pete