talkmagic.co.uk

WHen Derren Brown performed the Nail into the Nose trick, he first of all took a bottle of something and dabbed some onto cotton wool, then rubbed the nail - to disinfect it or something.

Either it was just for show, or important for safety, but it looked the part and really sold the idea that the trick was real.

But when I read about rubbing alcohol, it tells me that it should not be used internally and can be poisonous.

So what do you use to sterilise the nail before hammering it into your face?

The phrasing of 'hammering a nail into your face' prompts me to say I'm not sure you understand what you are going to be doing, so you might want to give this a miss...

Dumpster wrote:WHen Derren Brown performed the Nail into the Nose trick, he first of all took a bottle of something and dabbed some onto cotton wool, then rubbed the nail - to disinfect it or something.

Either it was just for show, or important for safety, but it looked the part and really sold the idea that the trick was real.

But when I read about rubbing alcohol, it tells me that it should not be used internally and can be poisonous.

So what do you use to sterilise the nail before hammering it into your face?

Petrol. Always use petrol.

I take it from your question, that you are just going to do it, rather than learn how to do it?

ive seen people do this withoutcleaning the nail.It was probably just for show.But if you dont know exactly what you are doing.... dont do it. because shoving sharp objects up your hooter CAN KILL YOU.

I thought it was funnier to phrase it that way, but I've been slowly practising this one over a period of months, starting with a cotton bud and working my way up. I have been doing the nail for a week now, without incident, but just wondered if there was a way to prevent infection from the nails.

The nails themselves are good enough, I found them in the garden. (joke)

There are a number of antibacterial sprays that can be used for internal use.

Another idea might be to go to your local tattoo/piercing studio for either purchase or advice. (Haven't tried this in relation to blockhead, but have numerous piercings and always got my products from the studio)

Lastly, if you are planning to do this often, you might want to consider buying specially made stainless steel nails.

Any sort of antiseptic fluid, or why not just put water in a glass bottle and use that? The specs don't need to know its not an antiseptic.

Dumpster wrote:So what do you use to sterilise the nail before hammering it into your face?

Ahhhhh...if I had a pound for everytime I've been asked that......

Treat yourself to one of these

http://greatnippulini.com/sideshow.html

mrz0mbie wrote:Treat yourself to one of these

http://greatnippulini.com/sideshow.html

That sounds like excellent advice!

If you practise with cotton buds Dumpster, wet them well. if one of the fine hairs comes off in your sinal passage, you'll know about it!

Alcohol is good at steralising things.

I'd recommend several vokas before performng this. then a few more, then I'd think I'd have a couple more to calm my nerves then I'd collapse and sleep it off.... that way I'd never actually get to perform it and would never have to worry about the state of the nail.

Problem solved.

thinking about it, i recon trying this with cotton buds, is probably more dangerous than shoving a nail up there. They dont even recomend cleaning your ears with them, because the end comes off.

I perform this in my show and haven't ever steralised the nail although, as suggested earlier in the thread, sometimes I use water and pretend its disinfectant. I've never had any problem with infections or anything like that though

However, to reiterate DONT DO THIS IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!! I once slipped on stage while doing it and the nail jolted and I recieved a lovely big cut on the inside of my nostril, I wasn't a happy bunny :l

Dumpster wrote: hammering it into your face

Interestingly Rudy Coby refers to the effect by this name. Suits his act (just seen it on EMC)