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I'm currently going through the Fiber Optics Extended DVD (it goes against every fibre of my being to spell it that way) trying to formulate my own routine and I've hit a stumbling block regarding the ring and rope moves.

I can't find the right ring.

Right now I'm practicing using a 6" metal ring that I got in a set of linking rings and it's just too heavy and a bit too large to work with smoothly. On the DVD, Richard Sanders uses a nice light plastic ring, looks about 4" across. I have no idea where to find such an item. I've spent the best part of 2 hours looking for the ideal way to phrase "4 inch plastic ring" into a search engine and have come to the conclusion that the internet is empty.

I must turn to fellow human beings to solve this one.

-Stacy

CARDS FOR MAGIC.

Ultimate Brass Ring by Wizardcraft £12.50. solid brass, either plated, or unplated.

http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh ... 3a313#a313

See I looked there and I saw that, but I thought, being metal, won't it still be rather heavy?

-Stacy

daleshrimpton wrote:CARDS FOR MAGIC.

Ultimate Brass Ring by Wizardcraft £12.50. solid brass, either plated, or unplated.

http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh ... 3a313#a313" target="_blank" target="_blank

The links for CFM never work correctly - just go to http://www.cards4magic.co.uk/acatalog/, and type 'brass ring' into the search

That "ultimate brass ring" is great for ring and rope, but it's very heavy, even more so than a 'normal' linking ring, since it's meant to impress people with its solidity and weight, and weight can help with a specific ring and rope move. At least I think that's why it was made so heavy. If you're after something lighter, maybe Matthew Garrett's "Close Up Linking Rings" would work? They're 4 1/2" and a lot lighter than the "ultimate" ring. Obviously you can use the set for a Ninja-style ring routine. Other alternatives are to search online for "embroidery hoop", or "plastic bangle" although bangles will be a bit too small, probably, and you need to be careful about using embroidery hoops; probably best to buy them in person at a fabric shop. I've seen some good wooden and plastic hoops in hoopla games. Another idea is the 'sling rings' used in baby carriers. They come in all kinds of materials including plastic and aluminium and they're perfectly round in cross-section. I've even seen usable hoops as handles for bags in charity shops... but I'd just go for a smaller set of linking rings, like Matthew Garrett's, since they're made for the purpose and you can use them for other effects. I have a set and they're great.
I don't think anyone makes a 4-5" full set of linking rings (i.e. an 8-ring set) but if you can find one, that would probably be a better idea than the 4-ring close up set, since you can then do a full linking ring routine, and you'd have the spare ring needed for other interesting ring and rope effects. Hope that helps?

embroidery hoops have one disadvantage, in that the way they are constructed, leaves you with a very visible join, and the spectators will assume that this aids you in the trick.
You could try looking at Curtain rings. these are small, but can be used in many ring & rope effects.
I still think that your best option however, is to get used to the wieght of the proper rings.
Or, if you have any near you, take a trip to a boat chanders, and see if they have any rings that suit.
or take a trip to a pet shop, and see if you can find a rubber ring dog toy.
they might suffice.

Sorry I don't know the trick you are doing but if you are looking for a 4inch plastic ring then can't you just use a plastic or wooden bangle? Or is this too small for use?

They don't weigh much.

So in follow up to this I eventually found the ideal bangle in a charity shop, bright orange, perfectly smooth, and it goes nicely with my ropes (I dyed them pink) however I have also picked up one of those solid brass rings to practice working with the extra weight, which I'll probably have to get used to eventually anyway.

-Stacy

I use the ring, that I got with a ring and rope (and dvd) set from

www.magicianfx.co.uk

I don't use any of the moves from the dvd, but the ring was worth it.