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redstreak Inner circle A.K.A David Kong 1368 Posts |
A little while ago I saw someone post on a forum somewhere about a key ring that could "close." I may have been mistaken but it's been driving me crazy. Has anybody ever heard of something like that?
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Scott Ocheltree Veteran user 364 Posts |
There are many variations of this. It is called a "locking key". Many performers do not like them. I use one in my routine. I like being able to let go of the key while it's in the middle of a chain. I think it adds to the deception.
When I did a search for "Locking Key" in the "Rings..." forum, the only hits I got were of Pete Biro warning against them. I believe in general, Pete is right, but I have a video clip of my ring routine on my website, where you can see my handling. The key ring is fully displayed repeatedly and I don't think my handling looks awkward. I have seen illustrations of other keys in Dariel Fitzkee's book, "Rings in Your Fingers" which looked like they would be difficult to use. I also spoke once with some one at Owen Magic about their locking key who told me it required two hands to open and close. I would find that unacceptable. |
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Dan LeFay Inner circle Holland 1371 Posts |
You can find info at [url]http://www.cupsandballs.nl/[url] Don't let the websites title confuse you, he also makes locking rings. Can be closed with one hand…
"Things need not have happened to be true.
Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths, that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot." Neil Gaiman |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
There are routines where the locking/unlocking is ok, but still takes thought and work. I do, in my collection, have one that is magnetic and opens by banging it a certain way.
But, for the MOST PART, an easy handling routine can lose its rhythm when you have to do the work. Oh, in a Genii issue on Ross Bertram, he has a way to hold all the rings (5 or 6) in a chain, where the key is masked beautifully by the angle of his open jacket. Well worth looking up.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Larry Barnowsky Inner circle Cooperstown, NY where bats are made from 4770 Posts |
Pete's right. The locking key ring can prove to be more of a nuisance than an asset. Even with the key in the closed position, a small seam can be identified whether it's with an Owen bayonet type or a magnetic key that the lighter aluminum rings use. The ghost key ring seam will also be visible. On stage this might not be noticed but in a more intimate venue you would risk exposing the secret. As far as proving that there is no key by the display Scott describes, I think that is OK but unnecessary. I think it's more comforting to the magician that he's shown no gaps than it is any more convincing to the audience that the rings truly link. As they say, why run when you're not being chased.
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Scott Ocheltree Veteran user 364 Posts |
I agree with the Count and Pete that there's no need to run when not being chased. I have looked at the move of Ross Bertram's that was in Genii (March 2003) and have seen it used by Tom Frank performing his routine while he was busking on the streets of Seattle. It's very good but I don't think it's as strong as openly spinning a chain.
My locking key is kind of a hybrid of what Fitzkee calls an "offset type" and "pin type" that locks securely and I am able to open and close it easily with one hand. When performing on stage or platform, I always have 2 volunteers on stage close to me who I hand rings. I've never had a problem with the key's break being spotted. Last night I did a birthday party in a small living room. I performed the same basic routine as in my video clip. After the show, one of the adults watching commented that each time he sees a magician do the linking rings he thinks he's figured it out, but then they do something that rules out his theory and blows him away. My 15-year-old son's girlfriend was there also. It was the first time she had seen me perform a show. I asked her afterwards if I fooled her with anything. The one piece she mentioned was my Linking Rings. I would appreciate any comments or criticisms onmy performance video from those willing to watch it. My biggest complaint regarding my rings is that they are a cheap aging set (made in India circa 1978.) I have been thinking of replacing them with a nice 4 ring set with a standard key and learning Whit Hayden's routine. But the responses I get with what I'm doing now makes it hard to justify spending the money and time it would take to change. I have considered getting my existing set professionally re-chromed, but the cost of doing so is close to what a nice full set of Owen rings would cost. |
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Kingry Elite user Virginia 464 Posts |
You will find the locking key cumbersome if you are trying to do a "pretty" routine like Cellini's, but from your video it appears to work well for you. I have owned an offset for years, and it collects dust.
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
I have a Quantum Q Locking Key Ring 12" set of 3 and have been working on trying to incorporate them into my routine, but frankly as stated by many here already - it is a lot of extra work.
My routine is based on Chris Capehart's and is a wham bam, in your face routine, I can't afford the extra time it takes me to open and close the key. I could get better at opening and closing with practice, but I don't think the locking ring would add anything, so why work harder if it isn't making it better? BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I've been using a routine based on Harry Anderson's routine and I tried to incorporate a Quantum Q locking key ring. I never got past the practice stage because it was obvious that the locking key detracted from the routine. Besides, I already get compliments on the routine that I do. Casual handling of the key ring, such as tossing it hand to hand, is a much better alternative than using a locking key.
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greetings,
I have a 3 ring 12" locking set I bought at an auction. I think it may be a Loftus set (i.e. cheap?), but it seems pretty good. I actually work more with the key open, and only a couple of times close it (which can easily be done with this set one handed.) I think this is another one of those matters of personal preference. Some people can do nice routines with either locking or standard sets, so I don't think a general "don't use locking rings" should apply here, unless your experience shows you that a specific brand or type of ring is a lot of trouble. By the way, all 3 of my rings have the same "joint" or "seam"; in other words, with the key closed, all 3 rings look exactly the same, and someone handling a non-key ring can tug at the "seam" all they want and of course it won't open. And yes, the locking key has fooled people who know of standard key rings. Like Scott, I don't tell people to "examine" the rings. Just in the handling of them it becomes "obvious" to the viewers that they MUST be SOLID rings. Joe |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
A long, closely guarded secret.
Silver solder your key together. Then a whack will break it open. Think about it...
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Great tip Pete!
It makes the reset on the street a bit tough, but for a one-time display, that sure would complete the deception and answer the "let me see that ring" question. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Try crazy glue and let me know how it works.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Expertmagician Inner circle 2478 Posts |
I nkow most people will disagree with me ...but, that is why we are all entitled to an opinion.....
With the linking rings being sold in magic kits in toy stores, I feel unconfortable using a regular key and ONLY perform the linking rings with a locking key ring. I have 2 styles and know of 3 styles available (all of which have their own pos and cons. naturally working with a regular key ring is easier. But, I like the subtlty of being able to hand all my rings to the audience before, after or during my routine. Jeff How's that for dancing around an issue ?
Long Island,
New York |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Anybody got a set of Himber's Linking Rings for sale?
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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majorshaw New user Randy Shaw 73 Posts |
I have 2 of the locking rings and yes their is a problem with both, you real have to practiced. and that is become the lost art.
R.Shaw
AIMC with Silver Star |
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Bob Johnston Inner circle Philadelphia, PA 1251 Posts |
I found the Locking Ring a bit cumbersome and had trouble “fitting” it into my short routine.
However; I use an extra Solid ring at the end of my routine that I swap out (the way Skinner did.) I make the switch when I reach behind my case for the carrying bag and drop all the rings on the top of my table before placing the rings (less the Key ring back in the bag. About half the time someone asks to see the rings, I love it. I do this now with my Ninja rings as well. Bob |
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respho New user Hong Kong 74 Posts |
I think Jeff has made a good point. Although locking key rings are not examinable, it allows you do display the ring freely and it does silent those trouble makers in the audience.
Having the locking key does not make the routine look prettier or more impossible, but I prefer having the option of a locking key so I don't have to worry holding the key ring 100% of the time during the routine. It helps when you have a routine with many rings. |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Bro--- try crazy glue instead of solder.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
Personally, don't use locking keys. I think they are great in collections and occasionally a greenhorn gets blown away. I hold my key "freely" and have never been accosted by an audience.
Think Richard Ross. Kregg
POOF!
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