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I need to perform a pen switch several times during a routine I'm working on. It's a non-visual pen switch and needs to be completely natural, and completely invisible. I basicaly need to have a normal pen (sharpie) in use, then switch in a gaffed one, then switch in the normal one again. This all has to appear totally natural so the handling must not look flourish-like! Everyone must think that only one pen has been in use throughout the perfromance. I've had an idea that I think could work (please PM me if you are happy to discuss this). However, I'd like to hear any advice re other methods so I can choose the one that suits best.

I've tried using multi function pens (oher than a sharpie) but they are normally quite large and any switch has a 'tell' to it that telegraphs a change. I think a good switch would look cleaner.

All help gratefully received!!

Pip-pip

K

Text you about this tomorrow I have a great switch for sharpies, not magiciany at all!!

Much love

Aza

Aza wrote:Text you about this tomorrow I have a great switch for sharpies, not magiciany at all!!

Much love

Aza

Coolio!!! I'll PM you with my idea!! Would welcome your thoughts!!!

K

Can you get awway with an in the pocket switch? A pen's a fairly innocent piece of kit, nobody's going to think twice about you putting it in a pocket when you don't need it and then getting it out again when you do.

I second lady of mystery's comments Kev, no need to over complicate things, but you could also use a p**l just to make it seem that much cleaner and eliminate any magicians guilt you may suffer from, but ill text you shortly with my thoughts!

Much love

Aza

Thanks guys. I've considered a pocket switch but I'd have to do it twice during the routine. Basically a standard pen is given to the spec. Then a gaffed one is switched in, then the normal one is switched back in. It all happens reasonably quick so putting the pen in my pocket twice might look unnatural?? I think I'll try it and see how it looks!

K

I do a pen switch using sleeving and flipstick, having said that I only do the one switch. It's something similar to the moves in the Marksmenship routine on Hower Liwag's The Rice Papers DVD.

DavMac wrote:I do a pen switch using sleeving and flipstick, having said that I only do the one switch. It's something similar to the moves in the Marksmenship routine on Hower Liwag's The Rice Papers DVD.

I do like the flipstick vanish and I was trying to think of a way to make that work. I've had a crazy idea for a switch but I can't reveal the method in open forum. I'll check out the DVD you mention. I was watching Rick Merrill do lots of switching on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U05y5VWxDP8

I'm fairly sure he could teach me a usefull switch. I'll PM you my idea if you like and see what you think?????

K

I would have thought you could do the same as a pocket switch but replace pocket with your left hand.

So you keep a pen in your left hand, held in place with your middle finger (as if you flipsticked it) then hold the ungimmicked pen in the right, momentarily bring hands together, and then when they are brough apart come away with the gimmicked. Same move again to switch back then dump it. Kind of like a pen top change...

-Stacy

It's a nice idea! Ill mess about with some pens and see if I can make something work? Ill maybe show you when I'm next at the pentacle club! I've been a bit busy lately so I've lost track of the dates! Let me know when the next meet is if you're going?!?

K

Next meet is in January. 15th as I recall.

I heard you'd met up with Jordan C recently, and so did I. Maybe we should arrange to meet out of season as it were?

-Stacy

The4thCircle wrote:Next meet is in January. 15th as I recall.

I heard you'd met up with Jordan C recently, and so did I. Maybe we should arrange to meet out of season as it were?

-Stacy

That'd be fantastic! I was going to sort out something with Jorden C et al in the new year. December is mega busy for me so I'm a bit strapped for time. I'm also in the process of having my shift pattern changed. It'd be great for us all to meet up. Ill get some dates for you ASAP! Ooh and do let me know if I have to perform anything at pentacle in January? You may get to see a really good pen switch!!!

K

Take a look at the David Berglas chapter in The Art of Close-Up Magic Vol. 2 by Lewis Ganson. David showed this technique at an LSM lecture many years ago; it's one of the most magical-looking things I've ever seen.

Barry