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Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
I've had "Knot Unexpected" in and out of my show for years. I've tried many different types of tape for the gimmick loops of rope with no real luck. We've been using white gaffers tape ... and it's stronger than the rope. I've even went as far as using Super Glue and trying to melt the ends together ... resulting in just a mess. Anyone else have a simple solution ... I'm knot happy.
Steve |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I'm not familiar with the effect.
If you are trying to make a closed overhand knot, sewing with a similar color thread (most rope is off white so take your rope to the fabric store to get a match) works well. I prewash a length my rope (with knots on each end) in hot water and dry it in a dryer before starting before starting so that it has been preshrunk and will be washable later without shrinking too much. Tie an overhand knot in your rope and leave enough space in the middle for a rope to go through the center if that is needed. Try to make the knot look like you'd like it in the end and put the ends together note the spot on the rope and untie it. Add 1/2 " more and cut the rope. I leave in most of the core in but cut about 1/4" of the core from the tips. Turn in the ends to the center with a pencil tip. Stabilize the turned in ends with a few stitches with needle and thread. Re-tie the knot and butt the ends together. Just sew them together by hand. Turning the rope as you go will help. Don't pull the thread too tightly and try to match the weave in the rope with your stitches. Even if you are not good at sewing you will be surprised at how good it will look. Sewing is really the best option for many projects as you can wash the rope later. Always pre-shrink. -Mary Mowder |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Thank you Mary .. I haven't thought of sewing the ends. The gimmick for this trick involves an endless loop of rope about 8" in diameter. The loop is cut with a knife and usually discarded afterward. When using a taped piece ... cutting through that section is more difficult than cutting through the rope itself. I've tried just about everything over the years.
Steve |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
If it does not have to stand up to scrutiny you might just overlap the ends and sew it with a machine. You could make up several at a time. A loose zig zag would probably be good but a straight stitch should work if you don't have Zig Zag.
I guess you wouldn't need to pre-shrink, match thread or turn the ends for one time use. Do you have to cut the join? -Mary Mowder |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
In the UK we are fortunate enough to have Copydex readily available, a water based latex glue. The rest of the world is fortunate enough to have Amazon and E-bay and can get hold of it just as easily and cheaply.
I recommend getting a small bottle rather than a tube as the bottle comes with a brush built into the side of the lid. This makes application very easy and mess free. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40......_sacat=0 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1......=Copydex There is nothing that I know of that is a quick, easy, or effective at making virtually invisible joins in white magicians rope and that requires virtually no craft making skills. Harold Taylor's rope routine includes the use of a small rope circle and he used to make this up as part of the lecture and then use it during the explanation part of his cut and restored rope routine to show how easy, quick and effective Copydex is at joining the ends together.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Sealegs!
Yes! I sure remember Harold Taylor's rope ring and 'bracelet' c&r rope! He was lecturing at Magic Inc. in the early '70s. Jay asked me to "gopher" for Harold. I was in the front row, and Harold "knocked my socks off" with that rope! I use it often, when I have time to gaff the feke loop. Here in the "colonies", we have Scotch (brand) "Magic Tape". The adhesive is "stuck" --hee hee-- to the tape which has a matt finish. (No shine) When "Magic Tape" hit the market, I QUIT using rope cement (basicly rubber cememt)and used "Magic Tape" for about 6 years when I opened the high school program with a rope routine that used the old Karl Germaine principle. I did it 5 feet from the front row, and NOBODY ever saw the gaff. STEVE CHEZADAY!!! I'm not sure that I know even the effec of "Knot Unexpected". As mentioned, I've used "Magic Tape" for Harold Taylor's c&r, and also for Warren Stephen's "Loop de Loo" (what a name for a rope trick!)c&r. PM me, and we can discuss it. I suspect "magic tape" may help you.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Knot Unexpected is a Steinmeyer routine that Henning performed years ago. I believe the instructions simply say to use Scotch tape, but I'm looking for a better method. I'm going to give Copydex a try and see how that works out. I would like to prepare a number of the gimmicks ahead of time and be done with it. I've got plenty of rope right now.
Steve |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Steve:
I just watched the effect on a newer thread, just above this one (today!). I see now what you want to do, and, yes, I think the glue from the mother country (!?!) is better in this "situation". The whole effect is strongly reminiscent of John Cornelius's travelling knot that he did in hs lecture about 20 or 25 years ago. I passed it along to the late Earl Ray Wilcox, and he added it to his act the following week. I do it occasioally in casual situations, but not in the act. I think it would be better to tie the Dr. Jacob Daley KNOT, but, that's just a "picky point". Dick
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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JayF Regular user 160 Posts |
Roberto Giobbi's method of making a rope ring using rubber cement is detailed on page 45 of the November 2009 issue of Genii. Feel free to PM if you don't have access to Genii. A subscription now includes online access to all of the past issues. (I'm not affiliated with Genii, btw. I'm just a subscriber.)
Jay |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Thanks for all the great suggestions ... I bought a fabric glue at Hobby Lobby called Beacon "Fabri-Tac." I simply cut the rope at an angle and used the glue on each end, mashed them together and rolled it out within some wax paper. It really seemed to do the trick. This way I can make loops ahead of time and just discard the gimmicked piece.
You guys are the best ... thank you! Steve |
AllanK Loyal user Australia 212 Posts |
Sorry I only just found this thread. I discovered many years ago (probably 30!) that one inch wide white Micropore tape (by 3M) is absolutely perfect for joining white rope. You can get this from your local chemist shop or wherever they sell bandages. It has various brand names, but the 3M tape is best. You just wrap it around the rope join once with a little overlap and press it a bit, which causes it to adopt the same grain as the rope. It is practically invisible (even close up!), flows with the rope, cuts easily and will withstand a reasonable tug. I've used it for Knot Unexpected in both the original version and in Tony Clark's excellent new version that uses scissors. It takes no time at all and there's no mess!
Allan |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Well now ... that's interesting, I'll take a closer look at the tape. We were using white gaffers tape and it was nearly impossible to cut through with the knife.
As I mentioned, the fabric glue seems to do the trick ... nearly invisible and simple enough to prepare. Steve |
John T. Sheets Inner circle Las Vegas, USA 1105 Posts |
Hi Steve,
I'm very familiar with the effect, and have performed my own version for many years. I make the loops using a specific fabric glue called "Aleene's Original Tacky Glue". This type of glue works great! And you'll barely be able to see the seam, even up close! Here's my gluing technique which has served me very well. When making the loop, apply a small amount of glue on BOTH ends. Then push the two ends together, and shape the area with your fingers. Let it dry for a few minutes, until it's partly dry, but still soft and pliable. Then do a little final shaping, then let it dry completely. You can find the glue at most hobby/craft stores, as well as Walmart and Amazon. Here's a few links to find the glue.... http://www.joann.com/aleene-s-original-t......091.html https://www.google.com/search?client=saf......oe=UTF-8 I hope this helps! Magically, John
www.johnTsheets.com
See the "Quantum Bender 3.0" trailer here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkTVw9FjonE See my Dove Act here... https://youtu.be/Ms7_u46Qpp0 See the "Energy Bender" trailer here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJOfL0k8xA See the "Table of Death" in Las Vegas trailer here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YivizLAKD7I |
Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
Allan K went the same route I was thinking--white surgical tape. It has a texture to it that is very similar to rope, tears/cuts easily, and is about the right color to match most white rope. But it also sounds like the fabric glue is just as easy. (I believe Daryl suggested regular Elmer's glue for a similar item in his lecture.)
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StevieDee Regular user Salt Lake City area 154 Posts |
I've been doing a cut and restored jump rope using dollar store jump ropes. After trying several things, I've been using regular ol' Scotch Invisible (Magic) tape for the gimmicks. On that type of rope, at least, it works remarkably well.
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