I've been playing with an idea for the Benson Bowl for some time. I'm using a Chinese rice bowl (actual one from an Asian supply house) for the bowl, green spongeballs (giant peas) for the balls, and a final load of loose rice. I've been thinking about wands: I've looked for a nice, ornate chopstick, but they all seem too 'bland' or small and insignificant. The other problem is that the nicer ones are a bit 'delicate'. I'd even thought about putting empty .22 caliber shells on a wand stating that "though they didn't seem to fit the theme, they're empty shells from the Boxer rebellion." (Dumb...I know.)

Any other ideas that you guys might have? I could use some help here...

Maybe a bamboo stick? also there are chopsticks that are more ornaments that utensils, they are larger and not so fragile. I saw them when travelling to Asia in places for tourists.

Good luck

Bamboo sticks an idea...I'll keep it in mind.

Hi Rick -


I believe you will find plenty to choose from here:

http://www.everythingchopsticks.com/index.php

I frequently dine at a Vietnamese restaurant and the chopsticks they use are made of Melamine that looks like ivory. They are very tough and fairly substantial for a chopstick.

They are very similar to these:

http://www.everythingchopsticks.com/prod......s_id=276

Hope this helps,

dc

Thick bamboo is fine...go on the e auction site and buy a bamboo cane. Like carnival guys use... they have really neat burned rings on them. and you can get maybe 3 wands out of one cane.

Get a piece of wood at your local Home Depot or Lowe's. You need a piece that is about 3/8" square by a foot or so long. Or go to your local plastics supplier and get a piece of plastic about that size.

Using a sander, very carefully sand a taper into the thing so it looks like an extra long chopstick. Decorate and/or antique appropriately, and there you have it!

Or use Charlie Miller's favorite wand -- the white piece of cardboard off a coathanger. The connection to laundries is obvious.

If you go to supermarket in asian section you often find a long chopstick. Usually it made from wood or bamboo. will be nice addition to your props

Good Luck
Andre

I thought about Chinese weaponry and went to this site:

http://chinese-weapons.gungfu.com/

The Kung Fu Fighting Fan caught my eye. Maybe a possiblity of opening and closing it during the routine?

Terry

Looking down that list, I saw "duck." I can imagine the use of a duck for a fighing implement.

AAAAAFFFFLLLLAAAAAACCCC!

You have obviously never been attacked by a mad duck- it's not pretty...

Do you yell "Duck" when you throw the duck, or does it confuse the duck?

How about a carrot?

I still like bamboo.

Bamboo's actually the direction I'll probably go in. I like the idea of the Chinese bamboo wand...very elegant.

I haven't been attacked by a mad duck, but I have had a morning after a bout with cold duck...not pretty. It's why I stick to the one Guinness rule.

***I stick to the one Guinness rule.***

I always preferred cold Mad Duck 20/20 although it made me sick as a dog! Or was it Mad Dog 20/20 and Cold Duck, I never could keep em straight!

To think that Mad Dog 20/20 comes from the same place as Mogen David -- the best grape juice on the planet, even if it is a tad on the alcoholic side!

(Please note that I did not say it was the best wine. I would not like to have Etienne mad at me!)

I smecond dat re (hic) mark...

:cheers:

This is along the line of Bill's idea:

chopstick wand

A wood dowel sanded to shape, and painted. I made this a long time ago for a three ball routine. The small wood balls are similarly painted.

The handle area just has a few random strokes of color that represent flowers or something. It's roughly 12" long.

Happy New Year!

A chinese fan may work

http://www.chinesemoods.com/chinesefansart.html

FIre wand is great to catch attention and do misdirection!