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So continuing with my development of a routine, I have recently been playing around with an effect which involves two cards (I don't want to name it because then I'd be giving away the method!) the secret of which relies on one of the cards having a secret tear in it, half way up the long side, from the edge to the centre.

The instructions describe the entire effect with a card which is pre-torn from the outset, giving lots of information on covering the tear and such, but I'd really like to do it with the card torn during the performance, because then it can be done with a signed card.

The idea I've had so far is during the folding of the card (the effect involves folding the card length ways) one thumb could be placed under the lower half and the other could go on top, so that during the pressure of the fold, the card tears, covering the sound with loud patter or, at worst, a cough.

It is a bit inelegant though.

Does anyone know a better way to surreptitiously tear a card along a specific line?

-Stacy

Ive heard of this being done during performance before, but cant remember who it was, but yes its out there somewhere.Personally ive never felt the need, im quite happy with the way i do it.

To be honest i dont think signing will add anything to this effect, though i havent seen your presentation.

jim

This isn't a knock at the effect you're doing. I do think it would be good to put the tear in during the performance, personally, if I was you, maybe you could get them to pick the card, sign it and then fold it themselfs, that way, it'll really stick with them that the card was whole at the start.

What I was going to say was have you seen the effect by Bill Goodwin called siamese twins? It's a similar effect, but one that I think seems a little more professonal looking than the one you're trying. It's the same idea of a card changing, but only uses the one card.

I'm not a fan of doing this effect as I hate having decks that are missing cards, even old ones, but I think that's just a little ocd I have in me.

I will add that of course, it is a touch more of a challenge to do, but if you want to do it, there's no reason why a bit of practice wouldn't get you there.

hds02115 wrote: maybe you could get them to pick the card, sign it and then fold it themselfs, that way, it'll really stick with them that the card was whole at the start.

Im still not sure in the point of this. Quite often magicians will fold one card while the spectator folds the other - so you're getting the same effect anyway, they will see the card whole at the start, and fold it themselves. This is the way i do it.

The signing of the card is something i wouldnt bother with. As i mentioned in my other post there is really no benefit to signing in this effect. Cards should only be signed when there is some sort of identifier needed, in my opinion. If an effect could only concievably work with the aid of a duplicate to a spectator, then the card should be signed - card to box is a good example, the second or third phase of an ambitious card (I never have it signed for the first phase), those types of effects. The signature enhances the effect because the spectators KNOW it now cant be a duplicate.
In the effect being discussed a switch or duplicate wouldnt even enter their minds, there is no need to prove they are the same cards.

jim

PS, when the spectator is folding their card and you are folding yours, you will have the perfect oppertunity to do the dirty

It was just a thought, I do know how this effect is done, but in my mind, it's a little too well known to go near, too much youtube coverage. It was just an idea off the top of my head.

I didnt mean that your post was wrong. I was just giving my opinion on the signing of cards Im sure we all have different opinions and criteria for this.

jim

I get them to sign both of the cards - while they sign the second one it's easy to tear the first one as required. Signing is not necessary for the routine but it's an easy way to get all the misdirection you ever need.