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Click Clark New user Oklahoma 16 Posts |
Oh, yes - and sorry to ignore the question from djurmann. It was Tricks With a Thumbtip, part of a series of DVD's from magicmakersinc.com. The series is called Amazing, Easy to learn Magic Tricks.
For people who have worked very much with a TT, it will probably appear to be very routine, but I was fascinated with the guy's work, especially his salt routine. These DVD's would be great for a beginner magician. If you order from this series, let me know what you think. -Click- |
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Octarine Prince Regular user 111 Posts |
Don't concentrate on how it looks so much as how it feels for you. Believe people's stories about the looks not mattering.
I happen to be black, and thought the first thumb tip I had just needed to be dyed to match my real skin tone. After actually working the moves in a mirror, I was thoroughly convinced that even rudimentary handling produced very good results, and practiced moves would be undetectable for a thumb tip of any color. |
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Click Clark New user Oklahoma 16 Posts |
Thanks, Octarine Prince. I'll put all this advice to good use. What kind of magic do you like to do?
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Octarine Prince Regular user 111 Posts |
I have always been interested in impromptu closeup. Sleight of hand work is where it's at. While it is hard work to get large illusions created and presented properly, I always had more fascination for the hours of work getting sleights down pat. I am a semi-pro musician (bass, guitars, etc.), so that dexterous hand thing is a draw.
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Click Clark New user Oklahoma 16 Posts |
I agree on the sleight of hand. This young generation we have now wants to buy the gimmicks that do the magic for them. One time I walked into the front yard at a friend's house and picked up a pecan, and made it disappear using the old tried-and-true French Drop. The young son, about eight or so, nearly tore the screen door off the front of the house running in to tell his mother I made a pecan disappear. One of my favorite memories. My problem is I can't palm coins very well. I have skinny hands; not much muscle in the palms of my hands so I don't do a lot of tricks that require that skill.
Keep up the magic and the music! -Click- |
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Dave Devin New user 69 Posts |
Hottrix is my clear favorite!
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J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
I purchased four thumb tips in the past two weeks. I had two already: one is at least 15 years old and is split down both sides by now. The other is a standard Vernet, but it's small and too stiff. Supposedly a Vernet "Soft" but it isn't very soft, and I can't seem to make it very soft using various methods I have read about here and elsewhere.
Sooo... since there aren't any magic shops near me anymore unfortunately, I went shopping online and had to buy a few so I could see which will work for me. Hey, most of them are cheap anyway! Results? Vernet Soft, Standard size: Pure junk IMO. It has such a small diameter I can't get it even near the knuckle on my thumb - and I have small thumbs! Vernet Soft, King-size: More junk. 7 mm longer than the Vernet Standard but the same exact 22 mm diameter. This thing sticks out past my fingertips! Tough to hide it. Reality Thumb Tip: Decent, though a bit small. What is it with today's thumb tip sizes?! I really don’t have large hands nor fat thumbs - I would guess my thumbs are smaller than average but all these tips stop before the knuckle, making them much longer than needed. This Reality Thumb Tip is nicer than the Vernet because it is softer and I was able to stretch it a bit using hot water. Coloring is definitely better than Vernet. (And no, I don’t subscribe to the "green" thumb tip theory - why make things tougher than they need to be?) Finally, the definite winner IMO: The Thumbs Up Soft Thumb Tip. Very soft, like a latex mask is soft. Fits very well and is adjustable! Coloring is perfect for me and I can slip it on and off easily. No more Vernet tips for me. I'll stick with the Thumbs Up tips for as long as they make them. Thanks! Jim |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Hi guys!
Since 1976 I had two TT's. Both Vernets. Then I discovered the tip included with the Deluxe D'Lite package, and was really impressed by that little unit. The color match to my skin is spot on! Problem? It's a bit small. My hands are small too, so I hear ya Jim! Today I have three. The D'Lite one, and two Vernets, Jumbo and Regular. I use the jumbo. It works. I guess I've just learned to use the thing in all these years. Never had a problem! LOL! Doug |
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Rectify New user Florida 56 Posts |
I have always used Vernets and love them. However if you are nervous about them being closer to your skin color, Fredi-Up makes a "hyper-realistic" TT that is available in many different colors, and even has a printable sizing chart.
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NexusMagicShop Elite user Sunny California 434 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-22 19:48, Rectify wrote: Now this is awesome, except their site seems to be under going maintenance. I'm curious about the Hottrix TT's also. I carry the Vernet's and while they work I seem to remember owning a much better one 22 years ago...
Jason of BackroomMagic
www.BackroomMagic.com/| Mobile friendly magic forums and blogs www.twitter.com/Nexusmagicstore |
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Bendy Special user Columbus, Ohio 518 Posts |
I know all the arguments about how it doesn't matter about color and all that. And I learned TT technique by using a very cheap one that I painted neon purple. Once I got the classic moves down without detection with that one, I moved on to more realistic looking ones. Why? Because it gives you more freedom of movement. You can't point a neon purple TT at your audience, but one closer to your own tone, you can. If a more realistic one gives the performer more confidence and greater moves available to them during performance, then I say go for it. I really dislike all the arrogant, "you don't need it" comments and all the recalls about who has done what with fire engine red ones and such. Do some of us use real-looking fruits and veggies for your cups and ball loads? Do some of us use props that look like the "real" whatever they are, but aren't? Do we use gaffed coins when the same effect can be used with un-gaffed ones? ...Sure. Why? Because it gives us more freedom and more options in many different ways and for many different reasons. Some of those reasons are a matter of personal choice and comfort. So it is with one's choice of TT.
Personally, I prefer a standard Vernet for performing bill switches. Can't beat it. For everything else, it's either the Vernet "soft" or a Fredi-Up. I have to say that I love the Fredi-Up. The early ones needed some work; but the way they're made now, I think they're fantastic. For those really concerned with skin tone or who seriously have difficulty finding one to fit their smaller or larger fingers, I highly recommend the Fredi-Up. It's the closest thing you can get to custom-made and ultra-realistic looking for the price. Don't get me wrong...as TTs go, they're expensive. But if it fits your style, addresses your concerns and allows for a more custom fit/use; then it's probably worth it. Like everything else, it's an investment and if the return is worth the cost, then it's worth it. I love TTs. I think they're a wonderful tool and one is only limited to what can be done by their imagination. I suggest learning the proper, classic techniques first, (and doing so with one that doesn't match or that is easily seen if you flash is probably the best way to learn and learn quick); but I certainly won't preach that one of more natural skin tone or more realistic in nature isn't needed. I believe that's up to the individual performer to decide and not for me to judge. |
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KingNothing New user 71 Posts |
I like the vernet soft tip. They fit perfectly, have a respectable load capacity, and look pretty realistic.
When I was starting out, I used a cheapo plastic thumb tip from a magic set. Never caught once. While cheap thumb tips like the latter are sufficient, because of the comfort, size, and appearance, Vernet is king. |
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DavidG Regular user 132 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-02 01:38, Magical Dimensions wrote: |
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Mind_Magic Inner circle The Sunshine State USA 1252 Posts |
Do you notice most TTs are for right hand thumb?
I am lefty and always need to mold my TTs to my left thumb. Any other lefty with the same problem? |
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Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
I'm a lefty, but I don't have that problem. I just turn my TTs inside out.
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Vernet, Vernet, Vernet. As far as color, are we still worried abou that? I thought everyone had seen the famous video of Ammar doing the bill switch beautifully and then showing a BRIGHT GREEN thumbtip.
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bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
Ive tried them all
vernet is the best. |
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Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2536 Posts |
I put this on another post some weeks back but it may just be relevant here too:
A couple of years ago, I purchased a TT on ebaY via a UK supplier - it was produced by Magic Makers of the USA. To quote the MM blurb: 'The color and elastomeric design of this thumb looks so real you’d think we put a real person’s thumb in a clear plastic bag and are selling it'! Well firstly the coloUr is a kind of salmon pink - so no doubt it would look convincing...........if you had spent three days driving across the Sahara with just your thumb sticking out of the sunroof. The Lunula (aka cuticle) is a very bright white - If I saw this on a person, I'd assume that they had a very serious calcium problem. I think it's actually luminous and perhaps could be used as a night beacon for passing aircraft? As for the use of the word 'Elastomeric' in the advertising blurb - oh really? Well, let's firstly consider the definition of the word 'elastomeric' (I quote) 'any material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, that is able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed' Okay great! So Magic Makers, does this mean that my thumb is a deformed, deforming force? OR, more to the point, does it mean that my thumb actually appears to look deformed when I'm using your thumb tip? Your TT actually bends to the right you see, which, considering I'm left-handed, doesn't really look that natural? Maybe if I wore my shoes on the wrong feet, this would provide adequate misdirection? When it arrived, did I think I'd been sold 'a real person's thumb'? Was this brilliant gimmick the work of a magical supplier - or the Mafia? Well all I can say is I don't know who (or what!) this thumb tip was modelled on but I would suggest it must have been a child around 10 years of age (and yes I did buy the Adult size TT). Maybe it's aimed at the over 90's who's eyesight has seen better days (literally!). However, the rubber is so thick and the tip is so narrow, I think it's actually the ideal prop for vanishing a 2inch square silk - as long as you pushed it in with a matchstick. However, I think that the audience would be more intrigued with the 'POP' sound it makes when removing it - they'd actually be looking around to see who had just opened a bottle of champagne. The loudness of the 'pop' is amazing really given that the tip is too narrow to go down beyond the first joint on your real thumb. Heaven knows what would happen should you, by some miracle, manage to get the TT fully on your thumb.......possibly a trip to Casualty? This is undoubtedly the worst thumb tip that I have seen during my 35 years in this game. Just to add that I have used Vernet for years with no problems. Also, don't overlook their 'false finger set'. As well as the TT you get a number of other gimmicks that are really useful - and provide a refreshing change when performing many of the standard TT type effects.
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
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Mike Brezler Inner circle Waynesboro, Pa. 1114 Posts |
Vernet
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Douglas.M Elite user 465 Posts |
It also depends on what you plan to do with your thumb tip.
If you are doing a bill switch, a harder tip such as the standard (harder plastic) ones made by Vernet or Royal work great. The bill slides in and out of the hard plastic whereas it can bind-up and jam on a vinyl tip. However, If you are doing a form of silk vanish, I would recommend a soft/vinyl one as these can "expand" a bit and actually hold more silk than the same standard Vernet (I tried, an 18" diamond silk stuck in a Vernet/royal would pop off my thumb, but in a vinyl tip it fits snug). I use both- for different effects. If the standard Vernet is too large for your thumb, try a Vernet Junior. Best bet: go to a brick and mortar magic shop that stocks thumb tips and try some on for size. Douglas M. |
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