Can someone point me to the best comedy breakaway wand. I had one a long time ago made of plastic that had a gimmick you would palm off when handing to the spec/child to help. Wasn't all that fond of it.

I use a cheap 7 dollar wand. I don't use the gimmick however. I just use my thumb to hold the wand tight...then when they grab it...it falls apart.

Ah, ok. I thought after all these years there might be some type of newer comedy wand available.

There may be, but I have not seen it. Sorry!

In my opinion the wand is obsolete

Obsolete?, Your opinion, but I suggest you try having one on hand with a purpose. Excellent for the cups and balls, a running gag, mystery. At some point , depending my mood or spec's mood I introduce at all of my performances.

Yea, but we're not in the 1920's. this is 2004.

Mattisdx, you couldn't be more wrong.

Sorry, but it is true.

This wand gets more laughs than most effects out there. And that is what matters.

By this logic, cards are obsolete, coins are obsolete, tables are obsolete.

Wands are a never-dying symbol of the magician's power. Look at how much mileage J.K. Rowling gets from wands in the Harry Potter series. Magicians have wands. It's one of our tools. It's the magician's equivalent of a wrench, a saw or a hammer.

And a nice flourish with a wand is a delight to the eye.

Regarding the breakaway wand -- yes, it's been done to death. BUT most four and five year olds have never seen one. And they are the ones who get a big charge out of them. And when you get to be my age, you will find that your contemporaries identify with it in an entirely different way.

A wand is only as effective as the magician who wields it.

Well said Bill.

I agree completely. I perform it on my younger audiences, and they love it!

I love the use of a wand. I have several depending on the routine.

Using it to hit goofy spectators is one thing I do a lot...

GO DODGERS

Go Colt '45's, Go Oilers!

Now where did I put that pair of spats?

Its the biggest laugh in my kids show.

I agree...It is still a great prop.

As in new type of break-away or comedy wand in general?
The only innovation in the break-away is to do away with the gimmick piece. (Although I suppose if you had a gimmick one you could throw it in the air before ditching gimmick then carry on as normal to make it bit more intriuging, however it seems a lot of effort to go to when it works very well without the extra piece anyhow).
In terms of comedy wands, in general, there are (rather ironically) more comedy wands than you could wave a stick at.
Off the top of my head: Bendy Wands (various) , Fishing pole wand, Windmill wand, Silly Billy's stetchy wand, Multiplying wands,pop-away wand...there's loads more that I can't remember right now too.
George

Hank Lee used to sell a more expensive break-away-wand. As I recall it was around thirty bucks and advertised as better quality. I never bought it so I really don't know anything more about it. I would like to see a review of this wand.

Regan

There are many types of comedy magic wands all of wich are useful if you use them properly ....and the best of these is still the break away wand.To say that it is obsolete is nonsense. Maybe you do not do children's shows ,if you do comedy and you know how to act then you can use it in your adult show and just see you will get an even bigger laugh.!!!!What are you going to use instead to update your show to the twenty first century.....a break away computer?????

You can find them on eBay really cheap. I saw one for 99 cents one time. The most expensive one was about 5 bucks. It is worth having on hand for the youngsters. They love em'!

Phil

I work for laymen not magicians. The classics of magic are still the working because they were and are still very good entertainment. That is what we should be about.

Now, that is a great line Bill. You get my vote for quote of the year!!!

your pal,

-=tabman