talkmagic.co.uk

Like I say in other post, I'm quiet a newbie to this game.
I was talking to a real old school magician. And I mean this guys in his 80's!
I asked him what's the best excuse after stealing a ring/coin I can use to go into my case to hide the ring/coin in a brass ring casket.
After hearing my silly, over the top ideas he just said "get a wand out"
I said "really? Is that not a bit.......sad?"
"Trust me. Get a couple of wands and a break away. As soon as you get wand out girls will ask if you can make their boobs bigger or make their husband disappear. Add that with a break away and you can get away with anything"

So my next show I used my ring casket for the first time, got the wands out. Not only did I get to steal the signed coin, I got it in the RC and got that into my jacket pocket all while the lad was 'still holding on to his signed coin' and everyone was screwing about with the wands.

Also a couple of cool bar bets I now do with a wand too.

Wands are a tool like anything else. And they have always served that purpose in magic. Just because another magician might tell you it is dated doesn't mean it is dated. Trust your audience not your fellow magi. (most haven't done a show or even performed in front of a lay person ever).

It doesn't have to be the traditional sort of conjured's wand either, Sharpies, pencils even assorted cotlery can serve the same function.

I have a wand with a tiny wand in a hollowed out section, I ask if there a magician and if there part of the magic circle, whatever the reply I say that for insurance purposes they'd better use the starter wand..... tip out small wand

Not the best piece of advice I've ever heard.
Yes having an object such as a wand can be used to cover loads and steals, but it's an image thing as well.
I know some magicians who use a wads for certain routines, but they are wooden wands with silver tips, not cheap plastic in black and white.
Personally, I don't want to use any magic wand - it's a cliche too far for me.

Great selection here:

http://www.professional-magic.co.uk/magic_wands.html

I have a close-up wand in rosewood; I use it mainly for sponge balls, ring on stick and a handkerchief penetration. The only downside is that the brass tips need frequent polishing.

Barry

I think everything at some point has it's place. Obviously you'd look stupid mind reading with a wand, but for a steal I think it's a good bit of fun.