Has anyone else tried the Mikame balls? What about the Shimada's?

I have not tried either of thoise that Zombie has mentioned, but I have tried the Vernet balls as well as the wooden ones and the plastic sets. Personally, nothing compared to the quality, texture and feel of the fakinis. That is why I use them all the time in my own shows.

I guess find out what you like and what works best for you and your fingers. To me the Fakinis offer me many more advantages that I can use.

I also did not like the Vernet becasue they are hard on the fingers and they do chip rather easily. The 2 inch size are nice as well on the fakinis, but I am just so much more used to the 1 3/4 inch sizes. Plus I can find colored bouncy balls that are also 1 3/4 inch sizes so that I can switch off and do color changes in the routine.

I have a set (4 balls - 2 shells) of the Mikame 1 3/4" dia. that I obtained from Jimmy Yoshida back in '85. Talk about "feather lite", you need a real light touch to be able to use these. However, I did find another use for the Krylon #1311 Matte Spray. Think about it!!

My favorite's are the 2" dia. Fakini's, along with the Fakini "Multiplying Golf Balls", two sets of his "Flash Production" golf balls, one "Jumbo Finale" and "Diminishing Golf Balls" for variety.

Cheers!

OK, if you want to use silicone balls and want to save some money, I have a link for you.

First, you are limited to only a few sizs: 5/8", 7/8", 1", 1-1/8", 1-3/8", and 2". Second, you're only limited to their natural translucent white color. Third, you'll have to trim the balls. They just come straight out the mold, and aren't trimmed.

If this hasn't put you off, have a look at http://www.mcmaster.com/

For the record, silicone balls are perfect for manipulation, but they don't bounce very well. If you look at the above website for neoprene balls, you'll find balls that bounce twice as high.

Bye for now

Harold

If not mistaken there was a French guy dvd explaining how he makes his own shells with some kind of plastic clay?

DrGV ! I think you’re talking about Jordan Gomez - Balls magic dvd

https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S29661

The best currently made multiplying balls these days are Bond Lee. Two sizes and many colors. A set of 4 balls wih 2 shells run around $100
https://wizardmagicshop.square.site/prod......-lee/576