talkmagic.co.uk

Hello,

I am looking for a nail writer ( yes, I have used the search button and lurked every magic forum possible ) ... and here are the current problems:

Before the problems actually, here's what I own:

A TT writer
An undernail writer

.......

Now the TT writer is very comfortable on stage, but not close up.

The undernail writer I purchased is just lying down in the drawer. I can't possibly use it.

I have a short thumb nail and by no means I'm ready to grow a nail. It just looks odd if I grew the thumb nail. ( so the undernail writer is a bad decision for me )

Hands are sweaty so I'm afraid of the B writer as it might not stick properly.

I have many routines in mind using a nail writer, but can't possibly find anything suitable, or at least to say, I don't know of other types of NW that exist and do suit my hand.

This NW I'm looking for I will be carrying in my pocket for close up performances. I am not comfortable with a TT writer for close up. Its just bulky to carry and due to size the angles should be taken care of well....

What do you recommend ?

Thank you so much in advance !!

It's such a personal thing that recommendations probably won't help much. You just have to buy a few then, when you find a favourite, buy loads of that type.

This thread has reminded me of another recent one on a similar topic.

First, maybe you need to try a B writer, You've assumed it won't suit you, but as it is the last of the three main types, you should give it a go. You might want to pay for one of the better quality ones, like the Lincoln's Best or Vernet's Bug Writer. There are quite a few different makes of these, and they are not all the same.

There is at least one other sort of writer, which is a close relative of the TT, so probably falls foul of your concerns over visibility (but it is less bulky). I had forgotten about these entirely during that other thread (but as I recall, they are mentioned in 13 Steps). I don't know if you can even buy these at he moment (which perhaps suggests that they are not very popular - or that dealers are missing the boat). Craig Browning explained how to make one ages ago, so if he's still around, he might drop you a PM.

It may be that, due to your particular physical issues and angle concerns, there is no entirely suitable gimmick. They say that necessity is the mother of invention, so maybe you could come up with a brand new idea that will revolutionise things. Or at least work out how to stick things to sweaty hands.

Some of the tricks you want to do may be achievable through a different method entirely. Check out Banachek's PSI Series. Volume 2 to be precise.

Part-Timer wrote:This thread has reminded me of another recent one on a similar topic.

This one, I think I was using a mobile device earlier so could not search for a link easily...

That's the one, Ted. I didn't bother searching, as the OP said he'd already done a search, but it might help someone else!

What are the differences between a grease marker Vernet Bug Writer, and a pencil one?

I seem to developed an obsession with boons, in the same way wallets were very much an obsession.

Hear great things about Bugs

Rufio wrote:What are the differences between a grease marker Vernet Bug Writer, and a pencil one?

I seem to developed an obsession with boons, in the same way wallets were very much an obsession.

Hear great things about Bugs

Grease markers are wax pencils/chinograph pencils. They make a mark that is potentially more visible. In practice I've not found much difference, from an audience perspective.

Edit: I've heard bad things about the Bug. But I've not tried one...

I tried the bug and really hated it, but it is all down to personal preferences.

Thanks Ted, that's helped massively. [quote="Ted"]

Grease markers are wax pencils/chinograph pencils. They make a mark that is potentially more visible. In practice I've not found much difference, from an audience perspective.[quote]

Are the grease marker leads as easily replaceable as the pencil lead ones?

Have only used thus far the Sam Dalal swamis and the Super Sharpie (have yet to fully practise with this, although it would seem limited for (apparently) pre-determined predictions due to the mechanism. We'll say no more. Are you able to replace both the greaser marker leads and pencil lead Boons / Bugs with different types of lead (e.g. HB / 2B, etc)?

If your bog standard boon requires some form of adhesive to add to, rather than it (due to its material) being adhesive per se (trying not to expose here), then there doesn't seem to be a world of difference between the Bug and standard Boon. There is also a Micro-Writer by Dave Powell that seems to be the same as the Bug.

Comments are now creating resistance to purchasing Bug. The only thing swaying me towards the Bug still is the reported instability of the Boon. Any final bits of advice?

Ray Piatt's Scarab is available in a variety of flavours, including grease and pencil. They work for me (but that does not mean that they will work for everyone, of course). Much more I cannot say as we're getting into the borders of exposure here. I'd just buy a few and try them out, to be honest.

Rufio wrote:There is also a Micro-Writer by Dave Powell that seems to be the same as the Bug.

There's a big difference.

At least one site has the wrong picture up for the Bug, which might explain your apparent confusion.

Comments are now creating resistance to purchasing Bug. The only thing swaying me towards the Bug still is the reported instability of the Boon. Any final bits of advice?

Yes. You must try them for yourself.

And read the other thread, to which Ted put a link. There's at least one more type you should consider!

Yes, I did try the C type Swamis some time ago. it fits, but I found it left a very strange numbing sensation.

In any case I ordered the Vernet Bug Writer.

I had overlooked NWs for some time ago but recently became interested in using it again having read a routine in the Showdown by Outlaw. I am currently only using it for the Card to Wallet feature, although it isn't as good as the F1 wallet's lightning fast load which I sold on recently. So currently I'm going to experiment with NWs to sugar the pill of selling on the F1, as the Showdown does have several functions and want to justify having this in my pocket. Unless used as your normal wallet though, even though it has several features, it is quite large, although is probably the smallest "magic" wallet I've seen and used.

The Super Sharpie is great, but not great for pre-determined predictions. Where pre-determined predictions are in play it doesn't matter as much to me if the prediction is written in pencil. It would be more of an issue if written (supposedly) in real time as no one carries pencils with them. Well, I wouldn't anyway. Not that I have a phobia about pencils, it doesn't make sense if there has been a Sharpie used previously.

Rufio wrote:Yes, I did try the C type Swamis some time ago.

I know. I can read a thread.



I was referring to Mr Lincoln Kamm's fine products.

I remember seeing something some time ago, and it doesn't go under the nail, but rather around the skin in the same fashion of the undernail writer; the same C curve, but its around the skin of your thumb. It wasn't cheap though. Anyone knows its name ?

Sounds like a band writer to me. I described it above as a close relative of the TT version, but thinking about it some more, it's actually closer to the offspring of a Boon and a C-Type.