I am looking to purchase the 'spikes thru balloon' effect. Not the one where you can show the tube empty inside without the spikes through it, but the one where you can show the inside tube with the spikes already through it.

Is there one better than another or are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks.

I imagine that any dealer who handles good MAK products can get one for you.
I am not aware of any others, but who knows?

U.F. Grant developed a NU-WAY WAND THRU BALLOON apparatus that is a little more flexible presentation wise as opposed to the standard Spikes Thru Balloon. The wand, tube and balloons are all examinable.

I also recall in one of the old Genii magazines Richard Himber shared his unique design concept of a clear plastic version in an open letter to U.F. Grant.

Julie

In 1964, the late Roy Kissell developed a routine that he called, "My Nothing Grinder". (FUNNY! GREAT!)

He and I both thought that after one nail went "thru" the balloon, the trick was "over". The second nail was just a "repeat", and, added NOTHING to the EFFECT.

I've always like Turkish Turmoil. Here is a questionable performance, but the guy does have one line that is priceless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z0dL2fygnc

I usually showed the TT open, with the knives through it, then proceeded.
Some call that Forshadowing, otherwise people don't understand the effect till the end.

Why would someone have a difficult time closing an empty tube around the balloon?
A longer balloon and blowing it up, through the tube, would have improved that.

But, I guess it was "just a show for the kids" and it doesn't matter. (He said sarcastically)

What other questionables did I miss, Michael?

I LOVE the TENYO black plastic tube prop that was on the market perhaps 5 years ago (?).

You use a semi-clear yellow balloon with it....which allows you to actually VISIBILLY SHOW the 2 spikes cris-crossing right thru the center of the balloon (as the spectator looks into the tube from either end)!

I use chop-sticks instead of the silly plastic 'spikes" that came with the prop.

The tube is internally gaffed...but there are no moving parts. Its all incorporated in the subtle design of the tube.

To an audience, its simply a black plastic tube.

STAY AWAY from the silver metal rip-off models that have decorative "raised grooves" on the outside of the tube....it won't fool anyone.


btw--Ali Bongo produced "Bongalloon" (Magic, Inc. catalog) - a deluxe balloon penetration with pins and blades.

I just was entering some promo stuff on Roy KIssell into a database and thought of his "nothing grinder" routine. Good stuff.

I have just watched this clip of Ali bong, Now I want info for his Balloon trick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogfomhijllE

Can anyone tell me if Ali bongos Spike thru balloon is on dvd,

I don't know that infomation but I can give you a heads up on the valve he uses to close the balloon. It's a 1/2 inch section of the cardboard tube at the bottom of hangars from the dry cleaners. Take the neck of the balloon and pull it through the tube, fold it back on itself around the tube and put a thin strip of tape around the balloon. WHen you blow it up, just twist the tube a few times and it will hold the air. Twist it the other way to release the air. It is a great idea and I don't know what notes from him I saw that in.
Magic Inc used to put out a balloon trick out from Ali, but it was made of felt covered cardboard and square in design. I believe you pushed a wide plate through the tube. It was clever.

I think that I still have a copy of Ali Bongo's Lecture Notes. Ali was an artist. and his notes were all in pictures!

Thanks! Jef for the reminder of the "valve"!

I drove Wallace and his mother from Chicago to Boston for the SAM in '74. As "they" say in "Jingle Bells", "laughing all the way"!

My version of the Ali Bongo Sword Through Balloon is in The Wizards' Journal #31. I also explain two methods for quick twisting the ends of balloons to keep them inflated until you do a quick release and let them fly away.

I think there is an ungimmicked tube, wand and balloon method described in Tarbel. Nothing to hide, add or remove.

That would be Bob McAllister's "Ungimmicked Balloon Penetration" in Volume 7 of the Tarbell Course in Magic. There is also a relatively new "Double Balloon Penetration" that has a likewise ungimmicked method and is particularly good to use with the skinny animal twister balloons so you can do some magic as part of your balloon twisting act. Here is one on-line source: http://madhattermagicshop.com/magicshop/......id=17203

That's it. Thanks Jim

Wow I got love ads from watching that clip. Ali was a true performer with a massive level of skill! Such a joy to watch! And last Ts to,learn from watching him!

Any info on Owens spikes thru Balloon

The Owen version was called "Spikes For Skeptics", invented by Bill Taylor. The tube is ungimmicked and may be handed out for examination, if you're into that sort of thing (which I think is silly, to hand props out , but the nice thing is it means it can be freely and openly displayed , there's nothing to conceal or to ring in and out.) https://www.martinsmagic.com/allmagic/co......supreme/

Owen Magic Supreme has closed their doors with Alan Zagorsky's retirement. They had a big going-out-of-business sale last year. At the time I was told that Alexia Zagorsky (Alan's daughter) still had some limited stock of some of the smaller Owen items (none of the big illusions) , so it's possible she had a few of the Spikes For Skeptics available , but that's been a year ago , so it seems unlikely at this point. I think the website is still up and I was told that Alexia was checking the emails sent to the email address listed there , so you could try to see if she has any available. (whether or not that email address is still active a year later is unknown ; doesn't hurt to try.) https://owenmagic.com/

Bill Taylor's "Spikes for Skeptics" was published in Genii Magazine , 01/12/1960 . If you are subscriber to Genii you can look it up in the digital archives. You could make it yourself from a metal (aluminum) tube or a thin-walled PVC or other hard plastic tube. I'm looking at it right now in the Genii digital archive and Bill Taylor writes:

"My tube is made of metal and has the holes put in it with an electrician’s chassis punch and an electric drill, but any cardboard tube about 3” in diameter will do nicely."

I tried this with a portion of a heavy cardboard mailing tube and it worked fine , although eventually the cardboard edges of the holes will fray , unless you seal them with a thin layer of clear-drying glue (Elmer's glue). Lightly spray the tube with a primer. Go easy with the primer. Several very light coats applied with ample time to dry between coats. Then you can spray paint it over the primer. (again , several light coats with time to thoroughly dry between coats). I thin it's better to have it made in metal or thin-walled PVC or other hard plastic tubing.

The problem remains trying to locate a consistent source for the proper size balloons . The old style "airship" balloons were a perfect size and length, not too long ,not too wide , but "just right" . (these were also used for Robert Gurtler's (aka Andre Kole) 'Spikes Thru Balloon' marketed by U.F. Grant/MAK magic and Grant/MAK's 'Turkish Turmoil') . I think you saw the LONG thread I started on this last year: https://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view......&start=0 .




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Although this is an old thread, I thought that I would jump on to give my two cents.

Tenyo has a good version of the effect but maybe not suitable for stage. More like a parlor version.