I don't think they do make them like they used to. People claim to have used the same one for years whereas in the last decade most of mine wear out within 6 months.

Also something else to consider is a new Rocky will take a while to break in. They never feel right for a few weeks after you get them.

G

Wow, I bought my Rocky by magic master last summer and I guess I'm luck because I haven't had any problems with shedding or it falling apart (keeping my fingers crossed) I would hope that one was a bad one and not that the quality has drastically gone down!

Yeah, it a magic masters (Looking at it right now.).

I am hoping it was just a bad one.

I didn't want to say I got it from Frank because it's not his fault this thing was like this. It's a manufacture problem. Franks been cool with it all and I could have happened with any retailer.
John

I used to be a magic dealer and sold a lot of "Rocky's". Both the Magic Masters and Magic Makers.
To my great disappointment, the Magic Masters who made the original (as far as I know) changed the way they made them a few years ago. I still have an old one and I treasure it. The new ones begin bending about the waist area. I hated it. They used to bend at the neck. They changed the tail where it is not as real and flexible and yes, they shed. As to Magic Makers version, the spring is much more flexible and similar to the movement of my old Magic Masters. It did seem to make a slight sound when flexed like the spring was covered with something. I think they may have later solved that problem. The reality Robbie had a very cute face and much more detailed than the original. Their Fox is gorgeous and manipulates like their Robbie. I really hated to see Magic Masters change their original Rocky, it WAS the best. Alas, no more. They also changed the look and feel of their Judy mouse. I sold hundreds of them but the quality really fell. This may add more confusion to you and I apologize if it does. The bottom line is, I would go with the reality Robbie from Magic Makers.

DO NOT BUY MAGIC MASTERS ROCKY. It used to be the best but now they changed it and it is terrible. The tail is half gone and flat on one side and the fur is bad a sheds and the face looks crooked. Buyers beware!!!!!!

Just thought I would add my 2 cents. I have been through 7 Rocky the Racoons in the last 4 years. The magic Masters are way better than magic makers. The Robbie I got was broken (Skin pierced) in around 1 hour, they are horrible! The person mentioning you can see the stitching in the tail, all you needed to do was brush the tail and use it for a few hours and the tail would become full and the stitching will no longer show. I do agree with the springs though some bend from the neck and some closer to the waist, also the racoons are all different sizes. But all you need to do is practice on the new Raccoon for a few days and you will get use to the new spring configuration.

I personally love how they are all unique, its like each one has a new personality.

I wanted Rocky, but accidentally bought Roxie, which is grey in color. I do not like the feel as well as the appearance. Not natural indeed.

To my knowledge, Magic Masters is no more. I bought the last of the stock from Murphy's and can attest to the very poor quality of later spring animals...

ajp

So I am guessing the only place you can buy Rocky now is through magic makers? Are the quality of these any good? I purchased one a few years ago and as I said in an earlier post it only lasted an hour, I am hoping it was just a faulty one.

Someone pointed me to Abbotts Magic and I just placed my orders for two of em

Hey, Otherjohn, any update on your rocky.

Bump

I have one Raccoon; I purchased it on the Café awhile back and the seller advertised it as the older style and it gives me no problems at all

Why the runaround, Hackler? Let's just answer his question--If you have a legitimate answer.

I bought mine in 1999. Still using it, even though my cats tore off half the tail.
Works very well, and has never shed. I don't remember where I bought it.

One gripe though, the eyes are NOT like a raccoon's eyes. Why would you make a "raccoon" but leave out the dark raccoon mask?

I remember a performer when I was in elementary school, I was about 6 years old. He used a skunk, which looked amazing.
His name was Tony Borders.
Not sure where he got the skunk. It looked like a real skunk.
Forgetting the raccoon "sunglasses" when making a stuffed raccoon puppet is tantamount to selling an all-black skunk with no white stripe.