Hey, would anybody out there be so kind as to share a method/methods for the lighting of a match with one hand?

Thanks a lot.

tom

See Charlie Frye's Eccentricks. He throws the box up and it catches on the match, lighting it (with one hand)

Strike on anywhere matches, or a match pull.

Rent "Cocktail " with Tom Cruise. He does it in the movie, and you may be able to see the actions required.

Read the answer that Sanscan gave in reply to your post in the Up in Smoke Forum. That may be what you're looking for.

Jennieprice

Tom, I don't know if it's written up anywhere but you can light a match from a book of matches with one hand. I saw it in a movie many years ago.

Briefly, holding the book of matches in your hand between second finger and thumb, open the cover with your index finger and bend down one match. Shift your thumb and hold the match down (with the thumb) while your index finger closes the cover on the matchbook. With your thumb, fold the match around the bottom of the matchbook as your second finger moves out of the way allowing the matchbook to pivot downward and 180 degrees.

You should now be holding the matchbook upside down (with the back facing you) with the match folded around the bottom of the book (which is at the top). The head of the match should reach the striking surface. Here's where it gets tricky. Use your thumb, which is holding the match head against the striking surface, to push to the right and ignite the match. The tricky part is removing your thumb from the igniting match before you burn your thumb. It's not too difficult but does take a knack.

It is a "cool" move and used to use it a lot when I was bartending. I always did it while my left hand was holding something so it was motivated by need as opposed to "look at what I can do".

Ask an older man. My grandfather taught me. You use strike-anywhere matches and flick the head with your thumbnail.

Matthew

At Blackpool this year, I saw Vladimir do an astounding one-hand production/light using a box of matches. He revealed in his lecture that the misdirection was so strong he was openly switching the props in his other hands, because everyone was so focused on his occupied hand!

I'm not sure how he did it. I can't even begin to imagine, but if anyone else was present at this year's Blackpool masterclass, maybe they could share details?

I learned the method Mitch Schneiter posted above in high school. It's what the "cool kids" did to light their cigarettes sometimes. Lucky for me it was easy to give up smoking.

But I later found out the method above was something truck drivers use to do while driving.

You can also find it in Jeff McBride's lecture notes "Un-Masked".

Best,

Joe

I must have missed that bit. Vladimir is so cool. He performed some close-up and he also did his stage act at the recent IBM convention in Eastbourne.

I think McBride also has it on his The Magic Of Jeff McBride DVD. I can't get to them right now, so I can't check to be sure. But I know I learned it from watching McBride.

Thank you.

Shawn

It is on the Magic of Jeff McBride. I learned it from the 2 VHS set. Not very difficult at all.

Kevin

Jeff McBride teaches a one-handed match BOOK lighting. What are you looking for---a match book or a match box lighting?

I posted my method here:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......15&9

I use a Match Pull. As the match is also hidden prior to being lit, it has the advantage of being "an appearing lit match".

If I am reading your post correctly it looks like the match is just touched to the box. I saw that used very well a while ago.

If anyone is looking for gimmicked versions then El Duco has a lit match in hand effect---problem is it only ever lights in rehearsal! It does look wonderful---just takes a bit of tweaking to get it right!

The same effect is explained in Greater Magic. Is his any different?