I'm pretty new but interested in all kinds of manipulations. I was thinking of purchasing McBride's world class manipulation dvd set but I don't really have any thimbles or billiard balls. I understand a good set of balls (fakini) would cost a pretty hefty sum. Although I learn sleights very quickly, I have small hands. I'm not sure if this plays a part. Any suggestions on where I should go?

I would start with card manipulation. You only need a deck of cards and the McBride 3 volume set to get started. It will keep you busy for a long time while also giving you the much needed skills you are after.

Kyle

Yea you're right. Cards would be the much easier way to go in terms of expenses and getting extra stuff (coins, thimbles, billiard balls). But I'm not really into card manipulations. Maybe that's something I would do after the World Class. Hmm... I'm still not sure.

You can learn some of the billiard ball moves with standard 1 3/4 inch bouncy balls. You just will not be able to do the advanced sh*** moves without a standard billiard ball set with the gimmick.

Both volumes from McBride are very good and you will learn a lot no matter which direction you head in.

Kyle

Thanks a lot. Where can I get 1 3/4 bouncy balls? Do I just go into a Toys R Us or something and ask for them? Do they have to be that size?

You can get the balls at K Mart, Wall Mart, and other general toy stores. Get 3 or 4 of the same color (or similar patterns so they can't be distinguished) and a couple of balls of another color for color changes. This will get you started.

Go to the bank and get about a dozen half dollars and that will serve you well for coin manipulation.

Plastic thimbles can be found at arts & crafts or fabric stores very cheaply.

One deck of Red Bee Cards and you're set for card manipulation.

A box of crayons for cigarrette manipulation.

With McBrides World Class Manipulation DVDs you can hit all of them (except the Cigarettes) at the same time. You will be able to practice longer when learning multiple subjects, rather than just one.

If you're interested in Cigarrette manipulation, it is pricy (compared to other avenues), but the Chavez Course (correspondance) presently marketed by Dale Salwak is very very good and will teach you everything to get you started (cards, coins, billiard balls, thimbles, and cigarettes).

Great information Steven. Thanks for posting it here. You really can find most all the items you will need locally and at a very cheap price for you.

Kyle

Yeah, thanks Steven. That made me realize I can start out with items found in everyday stores. As I get better I can invest in Fakini products I suppose.

Yeah, no sense in spending a ton of money if you're not sure you're going to stick with that type of manipulation. It is best to start with found objects and keep your cost down until you learn enough to make the investment later.

Kyle

As the Bud commercial says... "true."

Good luck on your manipulations. Hope we meet someday. I do manipulations as well, but on candies.

Candies?

Many manipulation moves can be applied to other objects that have a similar shape, feel or weight. Once you learn the basic moves, you can learn to apply them to various other objects to create more unique and interesting presentations.

Kyle

Wow that's pretty cool. So for example, for cig manip. can you use a crayon or small pencil?

Bronx,

That is exactly right. The same moves and principles apply as long as the object you are using is similar to a cig or billiard ball or card.

You may have to adapt some of the moves a bit, but you will at least have the groundworks from which to do it.

This makes for much more creative routines and acts.

Kyle

Go with the McBride Card Maniplation tapes... I bought mine about 5 years ago, and I still watch them every other week. TONS of info and magic in these tapes.