|
|
Paragon New user 67 Posts |
How long do you use one deck? Does it endure long time or a moment? Because my Bicycle seems to be very crapy after a while
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
A cynic asked Abraham Lincoln: "HOW LONG SHOULD A MAN'S LEGS BE?" Lincoln was quick on the comeback: "Long enough to reach the ground."
The answer to your first two questions (combined) is: "Yes." I'm NOT A CARDICIAN! (But, I've known, and know, cardicians like Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, Derek Dingle, Daryl Martinez, Ricky Jaye,Ed Marlo, Jon Racherbaumer, et al. So, a little bit of their knowledge and expertise was absorbed by osmosis!!! I've used the same two decks in my act since I bought them (1951--$.75 each)and that's well over 23,000 shows. I bought them to do white glove split card fan productions in the 'swayve & deboner" act that I was trying to develop. I soon learned (my agent told me) that I was not suave & debonair. (Well, I was just 20.) So, I've just used them (since) for a short "fancy shuffles" and flourishes routine. I've worn out a dozen card boxes, but the cards know the routine better than I do, so I keep using them! I have to leave for an appointment. I'll be back in a while to pass along a few tips that may be more useful, than the ramblings of an 81 year old magician wannabee. WATCH THIS SPACE!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hey! I aint no 'wannabee'. I is! --since the 1940s...First professional date Oct. 24 1945...I was 13... worked a school on percentage...made $26.00...(in today's money that wouldl = #250. or more..I think maybe I was overpaid...but, then the audience was happy...and I got lots more dates on account of that one.
So, the answer to your first question: Until it's too worn to use. (or maybe a day or two before that) Only YOU can decide that. --and, with experience, you'll know. Your second question is a trifle trickier! First, it doesn't "endure". How long it "lasts" depends on how careful YOU are. If your hands aren't clean. If you lay cards on a table that is wet or is messy with spilled drinks. The cards may last longer than a "moment", but definitely not a long time. In other words, how long the deck lasts is relative to how you treat it. Incidentally, 'crapy' is spelled 'cra pp y' (two 'pp'). When you wash your hands, skin oils are removed, and many people have a problem working with cards, etc. with dry hands. You may need to try various hand lotions to determine which is best for your needs. Jon Racherbaumer (and I)both like Chamberlain's GOLDEN TOUCH LOTION. It's available at many pharmacies in an 8.5 oz bottle. Price is around $4 to $5. I've seen it advertised in an 'on line' magic shop at $5 for a ONE OR TWO OUNCE BOTTLE. You decide! There may be some cardicians who will differ with me. OK. They're certainly entitled to their opinion. I've been at this magic business for awhile, and I can only share with you my own experience. The ancient Latin expression may say it well: DE GUSTIBUS, NON EST DISPUTANDUM. == Concerning tastes, we cannot argue. If you're just starting out, I recomend Jean Hugard's "ROYAL ROAD TO CARD MAGIC" Over the past 50 years that's the best book I know for neophytes. I've mentored a lot of young fellows--some are now full time professionals. Jeff H. never bought another card book, and he did very well. There are other excellent books, but the best place to start is at the beginning. Hugard knew how to write! Yr's, 'til the Si Stebbins is shuffled........... Dick Oslund Sneaky, underhanded, devious, and surreptitious itinerant mountebanc
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Pseph Choy New user Chicago, IL 28 Posts |
I'm a big fan of fanning powder and using a card press now that I've recently got them to start card manipulation. As a VERY powerful soap, I think fanning powder has the added benefit of solvating the oils in your hands, which can help slow down the time it takes for your hand oils to seep into and compromise your cards (I have a deck that has translucent corners that I suspect is due to oil). Please keep in mind that some card maneuvers will be made more difficult when you use fanning powder so it may not be appropriate for your card magic depending on what you do. (Anyone have thoughts as to which maneuvers? I find that it helps my double lifts as far as I know).
Then again... I'm going to guess that magicians such as Dick Oslund would find that cards that have been worked over extensively and well coated with a thin film of hand oils will be best for their art. I would defer to Dick's expertise over mine and see what works for you. <smile> |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Pseph Choy
Please note! I'm not a 'cardidian'! I don't mean that I don't like card tricks! I just never got involved in that area. As a teenager, I read ERDNASE,cover to cover. Interesting! Inforrmation well worth knowing! Butfor a 13 year old, GAMBLING wasn't in my sights. I did enjoy tricks like the "QUEENS" (and I saw Ricky Jaye do the Queens, back in the'70s in Chicago,and knock the socks off a couple of newspaper reporters, who were expecting a klutz. When Ricky got through, they were not only entertained, they were stupified!) Jon Racherbaumer and I have been close friends for about 15 + years, and I've never seen him use fanning powder on cards. All I know is that to do with the cards what I do, I need powder. Doing an Ascanio spread or a Ghost count (Yes I knew Alex Elmsley,too)or a DL (strike or pushoff) is just not my cup of tea! Yes, I know the "terminology", but I don't do the stuff. I do enjoy watching someone perform who is a real "maven". I say this just to clear the air, and make sure (I hope) that I'm not misunderstood. I am assuming that Paragon is a young lad starting out (I could be wrong!)and I wanted to give him some general information. I've noted in the few months that I've been dropping in to the Café, that too many of the Café "customers" recommend books or tricks that are just a bit too much (IMHO)for a neophyte. The best card book (other than Hugard's RRTCM)that I (as a teen) bought was "50 CRAZY CARD STUNTS" (aBBOTTS 50 CENTS) --Yes! All 50 started out with: F***e a card and...(there were 50 ways of revealing!!! (therefore 50 different effects!) I STILL USE A FEW OF THOSE FIFTY TRICKS!!! No less a guy than Eddie Fields (INVISIBLE DECK) used one of the 'techniques' in that booklet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ```
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Bicycle Rider New user 93 Posts |
A lot of interesting info here For me, a bicycle deck last between 2-6 months, where I determine the "life time" of the cards as when certain sleights became increasingly difficult to perform. Nevertheless, I kept those old cards. In case I have to perform for spectators with oily fingers, or simply when I want to play card games with friends.
Conjurer of cheap tricks
|
Ado Inner circle New York City 1033 Posts |
I might consider a deck too old when the extra cards I add to it for some tricks (a duplicate, a double facer, a joker, etc) have their edges stand out...
P! |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Bike Rider -- and (FURTHER ?) ADO (too!) Egad, that even has a bit of rhyme!
Bike R... Your "criteria" for retiring a deck makes good sense. Did you ever see Billy McComb do the "rising cards"? He had a card selected (NO F***E!) replaced and tossed the deck into a little "box" on his prop table. He said: "Your card will rise from the deck! Watch!" The ENTIRE DECK flew into the air. (One of those electric card fountains) As cards rained down, Billy would exclaim: "DID YOU SEE IT?" It got a good laugh! ADO...Also, a good critrion! I had never considered "that". You make a very good point. I must plead ignorance (or stupidity) What is "P! ?????????
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
kasper Loyal user 253 Posts |
Bicycle Rider Backs were excellent! The new Bicycle standards it seems I'm throwin them out all the time. Or I just donate them to the bar next door after I'm done.
|
Ado Inner circle New York City 1033 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-02-27 07:32, Dick Oslund wrote: My signature It's very hard for me not to write it, quite a reflex. P! |
Paragon New user 67 Posts |
Guys, I am going to buy Aviators. Are they good cards?
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
There are magicians in this thread that are much more qualified than I am to answer that question.
I just do the show off stuff. The marks assume that I could go to Vegas and take home a BR that would choke a horse! If they want to believe that: OK! ("...you cannot smarten up a chump!") In the '40s, US Playing Card Co. would print 3 1/2 of clubs, and 14 of spades, etc. BUT ONLY ON AVIATOR BACKS. Rider backs were "untouchable"! My first cards were Aviators (Abbott's, I think 25 or 50 cents a deckk! I learned fanning and fancy shuffles with them, and they worked fine. Card men that I've known would swear by (or at!) Tally Ho Wheel backs, or Bee "sort edge", or Bike Riders, etc. Jon Racherbaumer, for example, "leans toward" Bike Riders. It may be that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". A Stradivarius "gives" beautiful music. --BUT, only when played by a skilled musician! If I played it, it would sound like what it really is: ROSINED HORSE HAIR DRAGGING OVER CATGUT! I defer therefore to those skilled young fellows who are far more qualified than I, to "endorse" a particular pack of the devil's playthings!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Ado Inner circle New York City 1033 Posts |
I've used Aviator, and they were my favourite cards actually. Haven't found/bought a deck in years though.
P! |
Steff New user 35 Posts |
The durability of your deck will depend on :
- the cards you use. Some brands live longer than others ; - how you handle them (as you can read above) ; - what you do with them. You should keep in mind than practicing is important. Cards are not. If your work makes you throw decks in the trashbin far too soon for your taste, well, buy more cards. I used to buy them by bricks. However, as your improving your magic you might keep your cards longer : - when being a true beginner, I took me time to understand that you don't need so much pressure on your cards. The more I practice, the more gentle I become with my cards, the more they last. - some technics, when done wrong, just destroy cards. I remember when I started learning faro... before I got the nack, I tend to compensate with more pressure on the sides... I once trashed a deck after less than a dozen faros :-( BTW, another advice when practicing : - always cut your cards. I'm practicing DT by now. It's a turnover, a cut, a turnover, a cut... - I usually use a double cut. You sometime have for any reason a crimped card. On simple cuts, you tend to cut always at the same position. - use several decks. My hand tends to be a bit dry. If I don't cut, the bottom card will curve and eventually gets ruined. |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
The first thing I wonder about: If the deck is a special gimmick deck, they will cost more. Sometimes over $20.00. After paying more, you are going to want them to last a long time to get your money's worth! So handle with tlc and kid gloves. But if they are just a regular, ungimmcked deck, they are more expendable. I can get a gross of them at Sam's Club for pretty cheap.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Deck durability (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |