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Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-04 12:59, Lawrence O wrote: Lawrence, I understand full well what you are describing. To be different (and elegant), about 20 years ago, I bought a genuine mini oriental carpet (with the knotted fringe string border) from the local oriental rug dealer. It was 12" X 12" and was great...except for one thing. The "one-way" grain you described. Not bad for some things--but sliding coins on it or doing most card turnovers or card spreads was next to impossible. Sadly, I had to retire the carpet piece for use as a close-up mat. (sigh) Mike
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
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John Pilotzi Veteran user 321 Posts |
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On 2010-02-04 13:34, Steven Youell wrote: It looks just like a close-up mat. Folds into 4 and can be pocketed. But, NO creases when opened! Lovely! A lot of the local guys are now using it. JP |
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RS1963 Inner circle 2733 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-04 12:59, Lawrence O wrote: I think the question is not in grain but in what is the nap like? I could be wrong but the grain isn't the question it's the nap the pad has. |
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milesg Regular user (of experimental medications) 160 Posts |
I used a custom cut Pattrick-Pad for my close-up table project. As Steven mentioned, the quality is unparalleled. The pad feels thick and sturdy, while the working surface is soft and smooth.
Lawrence, the pad does not have any directional grain/nap that I have noticed... Unlike a velvet or similar material which hasdirection to the way the hairs stand, these pads do not. I will give the pad close scrutiny when I get home, but if there is any directionality to the nap it is almost 100% imperceptible. Posted: Feb 4, 2010 4:46pm ----------------------------- Hmm, no edit button... Okay, I checked out the pad. It does have a slightly different feel when stroked in either direction along one axis, but not when stroking it (in either direction) on an axis 90 degrees from the first. If a totally smooth surface was 0, and velvet was 10 as far as a grain/nap scale, I'd give the Patrick pads a 1. |
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Another vote for Patrick's fine work. I have 2 custom pads and will probably be making it 3 soon with my logo embroidered on it.
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shuren New user Barcelona (and Sweden) 51 Posts |
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On 2010-02-04 14:00, John Pilotzi wrote: Hi John, I for one would be very interested in this portable pad. Since I don't live in the states I would be very grateful if you could find the name a manufacturer of the pad/mat. Perhaps it can be ordered from somewhere. Thanks, Shu-Ren |
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Metatron Elite user Port Orchard, Washington 436 Posts |
Does anyone make a Close-Up pad that has a small "flip-out" SERVANTE. That would fold flat underneath the pad when not in use?
Just wondering, Metatron |
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-06 06:20, Metatron wrote: I've made myself this type of pad with servante. It's really easy to do. Take some wide woven cotton ribbon. Stick it to the inner lower side of the mat over about two inches. Stick a plastic semi-rigid electricity flat strip (about 1" wide and substantially shorter than the length of the mat) at the ends of the ribbons, keeping the length of the ribbons between the mat and the strip pretty small (like 2"). Have three SMALL cloth self opening pockets of the size of an envelope (equivalent to an inch less than the width of a playing card). Slide a wide magnetic rubber strip of the inner size of each pocket and stick it to the lower side of the pockets (the one that will be towards the audience). The rubber supplies relative rigidity and catches coins easily. Stick these pockets to the strip at the position where your hands will naturally come when they get in rest position on the mat (you'll find that it's not evenly spread). Now I did write on the outer back of the mat in big bold white letters: "You're lucky, I'm the best!" (I did try other funny texts and settled for the versatility of this one). Before getting into performance, I fold the strip and pockets (with their load) on the surface of the mat and then I roll the mat up towards the outside. When getting into performance I come with the mat rolled under my arm and let it unroll with it's inner end passed the inner edge of the table but keeping hold of what will be the outer part of the mat and I look up as if checking the light. People think that the text they read is the reason for this position (a nice misdirection) and smile as I lay the mat down on the table discretely lining up, without looking the inner end (you very soon get the feeling because the ribbons supply a small resistance). Then I rub the surface with my right hand which allows me to check the alignment, and if need be I nonchalantly adjust it forwards or backwards. One thing you may want to do if you go this way is to rehearse the proper moves to ditch into and/or steal from the pockets. What I did is to read Slydini's lapping technique and readapted the moves and misdirection to fit such a standing situation. It's great to use in semi formal types of situations. You can even have people around as you can prevent them from finding the pockets suspicious, and, if your misdirection works well, they will not realize the ditching or stealing during a routine. If you are a little devious (I admit that I am), you do initial effects without using the servante but ditching in your pockets (or theirs) or using a hold out or a topit so that they register that the servante's pockets are not contributing to the deception but are there only for practical reasons like a drawer in a table (however you NEVER want to use the pockets as drawers for the servante should remain in the shade: keep taking your props from your pockets) Now I work more strolling so I use it less, but it's a great tool well worth the fun you have making it. PS: I need to give credit to Ross Bertram's Welcome Mat which was my inspiration for this but I wanted one that could be rolled instead of folded in order to avoid creases marks on the working surface. I also owe credit to someone whose name I forgot for the magnetic rubber (a phenomenally useful improvement) that he would stick before the show to the inner side of the table: here you come with a self sufficient mat. In the US, Stapples sells these wide magnetic rubber strips for paper or black boards. I would think that the are easy to get on the net
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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elimagic Inner circle 1663 Posts |
These look great
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van Loyal user 276 Posts |
How about a picture?
Later Ya'll
Van |
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MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-06 23:08, van wrote: Click on the link in the original post! |
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joseph Eternal Order Please ignore my 17405 Posts |
Some stuff I do requires lots of room...Pattrick’s Monster Mat looks like the answer...
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." (Einstein)...
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Metatron Elite user Port Orchard, Washington 436 Posts |
Lawrence O,
Thanks for the detailed write-up. That's just what I was thinking of. Perhaps I will purchase one of these "Best Close-Up Mats in The World" and follow your modification it to make it "Even Better Than The Best Close-Up Mat In The World" |
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Failed Magician Inner circle Still working on the DL even after made 2100 Posts |
Thanks for the great info! I'll keep in mind if one day my close up pad got worn out.
Magic comes through perception. -HS
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Steven Youell V.I.P. 3866 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-07 11:37, Failed Magician wrote: I would suggest you have a back up mat no matter what. Especially of this quality. Products come and go in the world of magic and if you find something really good that you *know* you'll use someday it's wise to purchase one. When Apollo's stopped being made different manufacturers started making something they called Apollos, but the quality was not the same. SEY |
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
I see in the Dan & Dave Buck the ad for a mat called Victorian Close-Up Pad. To my taste the look is terrific. Does someone uses one (for the look is one thing but the feel and the grain do play a part as well)
What about durability?
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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slyhand Inner circle Good ole Virginia 1908 Posts |
I have been waiting for the right moment to get mine. Now is the time. It is going to be so pretty! I'll post a pic when I get it.
I am getting so tired of slitting the throats of people who say that I am a violent psychopath.
Alec |
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geoffreydaniels New user Switzerland 15 Posts |
I didn't have the chance to try Pattrick's yet, but from all close-up mats I have used so far, I like those from Trevor Duffy best. These are the only mats I had so far that really don't wrinkle or crease, no matter how long you keep them in your case before performing. And there is only one layer of material, so they don't split. I had mine for almost 6 month in regular use. Unfortunately they are only avaiable in black.
How about Pattrick's?, Do they crease or split? |
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J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-07 00:58, MickeyPainless wrote: Mickey, Not sure but I think that van might have meant a picture of Lawrence O's custom-made servanté. That's what I though when I read his post. Actually I was kinda hoping for a picture of that too! Thanks! Jim |
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jondunlap New user 10 Posts |
Pattricks are great, very thick, and two different surfaces to choose. He can have them custom embroidered as well. Really nice stuff. Trevors are also great, especially if you work bars etc. waterproof, with a great rubber backing. These were unavailable for some time but now back. Just saw him at Blackpool, that pads are great. Only saw them in black. Pattricks come in a variety of colors.
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