I ordered some sponge balls the other day.
1-1/2" sized. But it occurred to me that this was my preference, and wondered...what size spongeballs lend themselves (if at all) to walk-around or close-up routines for regular effects?

1", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2", 3"?

(insert "big balls" joke here)

While I was always a fan of 1 1/2" supersoft balls, I am now leaning toward the 1/2" size.

The reason being is that for walk-around you do not have to worry about visibility, a 1/2" ball is fine for tableside. The 1 1/2 is so big that when they examine it they can see how much compression their is and takes away from the trick, although only slightly.

So really it comes down to a matter of opinion, play with different sizes and use the ones that are most comfortable for you.

Mat

I use 2 inch Super Softs for walk-around. I think the bigger the ball the more impressive the trick. Spectators like the larger balls!

I like the 2" balls as well. The larger the better the vanishes look. I find the smaller ones harder to do a retention vanish of any kind. Also, if you keep them in your pocket, all sponge balls compress so the 2" don't get too squished.

I like to use Goshman Super Soft, as large as I can comfortably handle. 2" or 2½".

However, if you're strolling around with the balls in a trouser pocket, they'll be crumpled when you take them out. So, for that environment, use cheap sponge balls. You can squash them in a pocket, and they'll unsquash several hours later into a sphere. Not quite so nice to use, but you can still get two of them into a spectator's hands as one ball.

But I'm no expert.

Dave

I use 2" Supersofts when strolling, but
1 1/2" work well for the stand-up routine that I do.

I've seen Steve Hart use 3" Supersofts to great effect. They take some getting accustom to. He keeps them a little moist to keep them from crumpling and sprays a little cherry air freshener on them so that spectators don't just think that they're handling sweaty sponges.

In a pinch you can just take them out of your pocket, cup your hands around them and blow into your hands a couple times. This provides enough moisture to bring them back to life.

Are the "new" Goshman Supersoft balls that are supposedly less prone to squishing and wrinkling any different?

Actually, I take my 2" Super Softs, and run a tiny bit of water through them, before a performance. This makes them way softer, more plaible, and easier to classic palm (should you need that artifice). Wring out whatever residual water may exist, and plod on.

Goshman advises water as a reconstituter as well. Try it. I'll never go any other way--I know I seem passionate about this arguably goofy advice, but sponge balls really are a big part of my act. I am hoping to release a video of a killer sponge act someday, and I'll be covering this subject as well.

I like 2" but for walk-around where there are going to be small kids I use the 1 1/2 because thier hand are small. for stand up I use 3" Frank is right the 1 1/2 is harder to vanish than the 2".