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karnak Special user Connecticut 747 Posts |
When trimming a card's length in order to make a "short card" (for the usual purposes and applications), as a rule of thumb, about how short do you trim it? Is there an optimum standard or minimum amount you trim off that works best?
Also, do you typically trim on just one end? Or do you split the difference and make it symmetrical by trimming *half* of the total to be removed from *both* ends?
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Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
I always remember hearing that Svens were made by trimming 1/64" off and re-rounding corners. I don't see why that wouldn't be enough since you don't need very much to make a corner short "sure fire". As for ends, use only one for trimming. A spec should not notice a bit of border being that off especially since many decks have "off" borders (QC issues) anyway. I trim mine from the thicker border if the deck is off top to bottom (I make strippers if the border is off side to side, trimming the thicker side).
If you are just doing 1 for a locator/key card, scissors and a nail clipper will suffice. If you are making half a deck, there are many options out there. You could also buy a deck of "short cards" and a regular 1 way forcing deck and make 2 "reverse Svens" with no cutting and there are actually some nice effects using that deck (Magick Balay teaches a couple on Reel Magazine "Tuesday Night Tricks" from a couple years back). Just a different option.
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karnak Special user Connecticut 747 Posts |
Thanks, Poof-Daddy. I’m only making a single short card (out of a Joker) to use as basically a locator card (actually just as a way to be able to always cut the deck right where I need to, i.e. right at the short card).
I’m surprised that a mere 1/64” off from just one end would be sufficient to do the trick. I guess I was anticipating trimming away half the width of a border (and maybe even on both ends, at that).
For a supernatural chiller mixing magic (prestidigitation, legerdemain) with Magic (occultism, mysticism), check out my novel MAGIC: AN OCCULT THRILLER at http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Occult-Thriller-Reed-Hall/dp/1453874836
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
If you are looking for a locator card, then I would suggest you simply trim the tiniest sliver from the lower left and upper right corner. I would also suggest you pick a card that is not a joker so you can use a deck without jokers when appropriate. I always trim the two corners of the 3C. That is always my "key card". I use it for a wide variety of things. In fact, I also have the 3H that is corner cut on the opposite corners. This allows me to apparently cut to Aces apparently spread throughout the deck. It also allows me to turn over a "lost" card so it ends up face up in a face down deck. It also allows me to do an amazing ACCAN routine. Poof-Daddy is right, you only need the slightest trim. I use a pretty standard corner rounder from most any office supply. Mine has small, medium, and large corner rounds. I use the medium and pull the card away a bit so I am just barely trimming the card.
KJ |
Kaliix Inner circle Connecticut 1984 Posts |
Whose routine do you use for ACANN with a short card?
Do you put Aces above and below each of the two short cards in the Ace cutting routine? Quote: On Jul 27, 2020, 1KJ wrote:
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
I have my own ACAAN routine. It is a combination Ambitious card and ACAAN routine. I like it because it uses a "magician in trouble" plot where the card is supposed to come to the top, but it doesn't. It turns out they picked a lazy card. I tell them I need their help to determine just how lazy their card is. I then have them name a number that is a measure of the card laziness and their card is at that number. The key card does all the heavy lifting in that routine.
KJ |
Nikodemus Inner circle 1140 Posts |
I experimented with creating my own short card. However careful I tried go be, it was pretty obvious the card had been tampered with.
So if I want short cards, I buy them pre-cut. BUT I can make my own corner-short cards, because I bought a corner-cutter from Amazon (for only about £12). I think corner-short cards/decks are more versatile anyway. |
countrymaven Inner circle 1426 Posts |
Great question, Karnak. Great answers, and also good advice from Nikodemus.
I would also suggest doing corner short cards for a key card. It is almost impossible for a spectator to spot. Here is a tip: I believe that the average credit card tends to have a corner very close to a playing card's. So you can file and round the corner of the old unused credit card down, and wax it or put repositionable glue between it and the card aligning the edges near the altered corner. Then trim the card off with an exacto on a piece of plastic. This way you can keep adjusting it until the corner is perfect for you, your deck and the condition of your deck. |
Wravyn Inner circle 3482 Posts |
I swiped one of my cards from the sven deck I no longer use. I figure that I didn't need to work as hard and that deck was just sitting there.
If you are set on using the joker, use one of the sven deck cards as a template. |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
When I made jumbo short cards, I used a paper cutter rather than scissors. The results are potentially much better if you are good at using a cutter.
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Chessmann Inner circle 4242 Posts |
I look at the card I'm going to cut. If it is Bicycle, chance are the white border at one end will be wider than the white border at the other end, and I cut accordingly If they are even, I try to take a tinier bit off of both ends.
My wife has an old Creative Memories cutter. Has worked great on cards (made a few Svengali Decks with them where the short cards are longer than I find on most commercially produced decks).
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