talkmagic.co.uk

Hey Forum,

I have just purchased and received a new ID and my first ever m--ked d--k (b-ris w-ld version)

The MD, although I can see is going to be completely worth the cost, is not something I plan on replacing often £15 a time. Regular Bicycles I can wear out in a few days of practicing at home. So I'm looking for ways to extend the life of my ID and MD.

So far I'm simply trying to keep them away from sources of heat such as the kitchen, and making sure I have clean hands..but is there anything else I can do to help them last longer?

I suspect fanning powder is going to be a suggestion..but I've never used it so unsure what places stock good quality versions of it..also I'm guessing fanning powder would completely ruin the texture needed for the ID?

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

I find that 'special' decks receive far less use than regular ones, so they deteriorate much more slowly. I think it's the handling that changes them rather than anything else.

I have an Ultimate M****ed Deck that cost loads (around £20, I think). I switch it out for a matching regular deck whenever possible, simply to avoid extra wear. Also, I changed to cheaper m***ed decks! Fournier ones are great and super-easy to read.

Fanning powder is not something I've ever had cause to use and I'm certain it would cause problems with an ID - particularly if you sprinkled it between certain cards!

T.

Wash your hands before you practice with special decks. Seriously.
Once the decks edges get dirty, you can polish them with the smooth side of nailfile.
Use a card press or a "proper" Porper cardclip.
Do some coin magic in between -

IDs will only last a limitted time because of how they are made. Every time you reveal the card you wesr it a bit. There are various threads on here that will tell you the best products to use to renew them.

As for expensive marked decks - I lost my Boris Wild before it had a chance to get old.

Fournier decks are brilliant as marked decks but of course can't be swapped in and out if you use bikes or something regular like them. I stopped using it because of that. I am now without a useable marked deck because I am too mean to buy a new one. My real answer would be to mark my own deck (Check the book Hidden in plain sight - a really good buy) but I was never vrey good at the Blue Peter stuff hence buying one that was done earlier!

By the way DON'T PUT FANNING POWDER ON YOURID!!!

The best thing that you can do when it comes to an ID is to learn to make your own. It's easy enough once you've got the knack, there are plenty of posts around talking about the best things to use.

A good friend taught me that you should cycle your decks so that they get to rest. Have you ever stopped using a worn and beer covered sticky deck of cards then gone back to it a month later to find that although it is dirty it handles really well?
Buy 3 decks of marked cards, then use 1 of them for a week, then the following week use another deck, then the next week use the last deck and then begin the cycle again!
I find it really effective and it's certainly worth a try, 3 decks cycled like this will last longer than using 1 at a time until it is ruined.

I have a tip for not getting them dirty too. I always have a rubbish deck sitting around, for taking out with me when I'm not considering the possibility of performing or practicing. Then if i am in a park, a bar, or somewhere the cards could get dirty - i won't care about ruining them. Some of my favorite magic uses cards in any condition.
However for the times i would like to use a good deck, i carry a thin piece of leather which when opened out forms a close up mat about A4 size. I then perform on that. Very little chance to get the cards dirty.
I just fold it up (to about the size of a deck of cards) and carry it next to my cards, but what i would really love is a way to turn it into a case, so when it is folded up it contains the cards, when i open it, it is a close up mat! But i cannot figure out a way to do it which looks neat.

The bottom of the leather is kind of suede so it grips the table nicely, i got my first one from a scrap leather bucket at a fabric shop, then bought another from ebay (search for leather offcuts).

Johnny Wizz wrote:By the way DON'T PUT FANNING POWDER ON YOURID!!!

Lady of Mystery wrote:The best thing that you can do when it comes to an ID is to learn to make your own. It's easy enough once you've got the knack, there are plenty of posts around talking about the best things to use.

Yep! Do this!

You can buy a regular deck of cards and a can of spray for the same price as an ID anyway!
and that can will make 10 decks or so.

As has been said, roughed decks will lose their roughiness just due to use; you can always top up roughed decks with another coat of spray or a run over with a roughing stick. Just stick the box in a card guard and robert is your mother's brother.
But I'd suggest if you're just using a regular deck ID then just replace it. If you're making your own the costs are really low!

Alternatively I'll sell you one for £6 posted

Just as a Steinway does not make one a better piano player, a fancy (expensive) ID does not a magician make.

If you are going to use the thing as a mainstay in your routine, then make or buy a good ole' Bicycle or whatever they have in your neck of the woods, If you are using for an out, then you shouldn't be using it often and have fun with the expensive one.

As for a Marked deck? Also I would suggest you mark your own. And don't over complicate things, I've seen all kinds of codes and stuff on the backs and I could never figure out why. Just put what the card is. I've never been caught because the thing about a marked deck is that if you just use it like an ordinary deck the the spectator thinks it is an ordinary deck.

I remember the first time I picked up the wrong deck and handed it to the spectator, one of those effects where I never touch the cards. After the first shuffle I realized I had given out my marked deck. Nobody ever knew.

Buy card cases from Jerry O'Connell. Never, ever carry decks in your pockets without some sort of protection.
Use a small table mat that you can roll up and carry with you so your cards don't get dirty from beer, food etc