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Have been thinking about trying a toppit for a while now, but never seen one in the flesh. I've seen the Penn lecture and this has started me thinking, his version isn't cheap but you're paying for the DVD, most of which is in the lecture . Other patterns for tippits or toppits are out there but how good are they? I don't want to spend and get something I'm dissapointed in and never use when spending that little extra would get me something I would use.

Does anyone here use one regularly that could offer advice? PM me if you don't want to post, would love to get both sides.


Wallet is top of my list first though and then, maybe, this. Just doing my homework first.

I have & use Penn's toppit but it's the only one I have used so my view on it isn't too educated. I like it, the pins seem to bend easily but that maybe due to using cheap pins from the pound shop. I've heard some toppits (Possibly Ammar) enable you to retrieve the toppited items through the outside jacket pocket by adapting the pocket. This isn't needed for the effects I use toppiting for. Basically I use it as kind of throwaway effects eg, Crazy mans handcuffs into Neat & Tidy & then making the elastic band ball vanish at the end.

The dvd is well thought out with routines & ideas. The toppit is also transferable to other jackets pretty easily.

Give the Search Function a whirl as there have been previous threads full of useful tips and advice on this Topic - or should that be 'on this Topit'... OK I know, hat, coat, door...

Mandrake wrote:Give the Search Function a whirl .......

Oops
I consider myself slapped.

One thing to note; toppits only work on skinny people. If you are on the pudgy side it might not work well for you.

bu**er

I watched a video Patrick Page did of a lecture and designed my own Topit to work with the moves he taught and fit into the clothing I wear. I think it is best to do it this way as you will end up with a bespoke item rather than one that is designed for another performer and then sold on to you for lots of money.

The original Topit you can buy in Davenports for about £14 - similar to the one that Page and Davenport used to wear. Its a very simple thing but the important aspects are how and where it is attached and what it is attached to. I found it is best to pin some fabric up between the clothes where you want it and then practice. Once you've worked out what works best you can stitch it together properly.

The Page video is still available and teaches you how to use it.

I have the Ammar Topit in my jacket & I really like it. It's a different shape to Penn's one and is sewn, not pinned, into the jacket which means you can take off the jacket if you need to without going into another room. It's also relatively easy to re-hook up aswell. As stated previously you can also retrieve toppited items through the jacket pocket.