talkmagic.co.uk

I know it is a very nooby question, but the sides of my cards get grimy within the first couple of days of use and they stick after ten minutes of use, probably because of sweaty hands, although I always clean my hands before I use them. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this, and how often should I change them? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Personal preference really, go with however often works for you.
You'll get some people tell you they go through 5 days a deck, some tell you they use the same one for a week....

I personally can't use a new deck of cards and prefer to have them "broken in" as it were. I should get together with one of these guys that only uses them for one day for some kind of swapping deal

I like the idea of teaming up with someone who likes new ones to get the broken in cards. That's working smart right there.

Personally, If I'm using the cards for work, I will stop using the deck for performances once you get a worn looking side, you know from dirt off your hands and just general knocks and bends from working with them. I just do this as I feel it gives a better impression than if you pull out a fairly manky looking deck. Saying that though, for practicing, I never seem to throw away decks, I must have a deck hording mental problem or something, thinking that they still might come in handy. I do have a year old tally-ho deck I practice with though that's as worn as the hills, I remember it ever had coffee spilt over it, and yet it still fans near perfect, still has snap and spreads well too without and clumping up.

So yeah, basicly, it's down to you, just change them when they feel worn out.

With my practise cards I use them until I can't perfect, edge to edge, faro shuffle with them. Once that happens I start with a new pack. Normally about a pack every two weeks.

If I'm out performing I will always use a new deck for the smoothness.

If your cards get sticky, there is a flourish/fanning powder available but ive never used it so can't vouch for it.

Another thing that I do is use Phoenix cards for practice. I get them cheaper than bikes and have the same feel about them.

Alec

Alec Kobain wrote:Another thing that I do is use Phoenix cards for practice. I get them cheaper than bikes and have the same feel about them.

Alec

May I ask how much you're paying for them?

im changing mine more often at the moment(one to two per week) as im practicing a routine and i want to know exactly how the cards will feel when i come to perform.

I usually use old decks for practicing and getting to grips with the workings of effects. i do this as i get sweaty hands/cards after holding onto the cards for a while

hds02115 wrote:I do have a year old tally-ho deck I practice with though that's as worn as the hills, I remember it ever had coffee spilt over it, and yet it still fans near perfect, still has snap and spreads well too without and clumping up.

LOL - me too - I have literally 50+ decks of VERY well used cards, for those "just in case" moments ... plus, Torn and Restored routines NEVER get enough practice.

My opinion is as follows:

EITHER get some awesome decks, and see how long they last (by that I mean Bicycle masters, Phoenix (I think that they have a superior feel and quality to bikes) or Stinger Bee's.) These are a tad more expensive, but from my experience they last much much longer, even if you sweat lots, perform in weird venues (night clubs where it gets hot etc) then these tend to last and stand the pressure.

OR do as above and see if you can get a decent deal on the go with someone local to you who may want to swap card with you / buy them off of you.

I agree with Alec though, give yourself a benchmark as to what constitutes as "throw away" baseline, if I can riffle them and do a few nice moves (don't wanna expose here) then the deck is fine ... for a gig though, I will ALWAYS start with a new deck, ie opened in front of the spectators and break them in right in front of them - shuffle, riffle, bend etc - it plays for a stronger effect imo

Dan

mrz0mbie wrote:

Alec Kobain wrote:Another thing that I do is use Phoenix cards for practice. I get them cheaper than bikes and have the same feel about them.

Alec

May I ask how much you're paying for them?

3 for £5 on the Covent garden stall. It depends who is on tho.

Alec

That covent garden stall was responsible for getting me interested in magic.

Aren't Pheonix cards are thinner?

I've recently taken to using Bicycle Masters for practice and they last much longer. After four weeks solid practice they still Faro very well - which neither normal Bikes or Phoenix decks will

DaveM wrote:That covent garden stall was responsible for getting me interested in magic.

Aren't Pheonix cards are thinner?

They do feel a bit thinner. I find it harder to DL with them compared to bikes. Makes for great practice tho!

Alec

philipksmith wrote:I've recently taken to using Bicycle Masters for practice and they last much longer. After four weeks solid practice they still Faro very well - which neither normal Bikes or Phoenix decks will

thats very true. i can go as for as they last 6x+ longer than regular bikes. They are a bit thicker than the regulars tho, but they feel good ands last long! Good investment

I buy standard red/blue rider back bicycles in my local Costco for £10.99 +VAT for a dozen (6r +6b). Works out at £1.10 per deck, but you need to be a member and it's sometimes hit or miss whether they have specific items in. (not affiliated in any way to Costco).

isb.
(not affiliated in any way to Costco)

isb wrote:I buy standard red/blue rider back bicycles in my local Costco for £10.99 +VAT for a dozen (6r +6b). Works out at £1.10 per deck, but you need to be a member and it's sometimes hit or miss whether they have specific items in. (not affiliated in any way to Costco).

isb.
(not affiliated in any way to Costco)

A local Costco at £1.10 a deck? OMFG, buy them buy the bloomin' crate load Then pass on these uber savings to us magicians

I too find that masters last WAY longer, and the price isn't too much more for the quality you get.

I dont find phoenix cards thinner, I find them better than a standard deck of bikes :S (REALLY dont like the box or the joker though, so I have purchased a tonne of old bike flat-pack boxes at 40p per box )

http://www.card-shark.de/index.cfm?page=72&lang=en <-- See

Dan