Can anyone recommend a quiet reel? Something that can be used close up and without having to perform it at an iron maiden concert to cover up the noise?

Todd Lassen Makes a reel (I have seen pix on his blog within the last 9 months or less) I believe it is made with Derlin. Also, VI is recommending https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic/......te-reel/
after I inquired in reference to the new Scott Alexander new book - https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic/......ot-reel/ and "practice reel" included. (my question was for after the practice reel).

Puff-daddy to the rescue again with info...I'll probably just PM you first anymore, lol. I wont even bother with Lassen. To inconsistent with availability and he doesn't reply to correspondence to try to find out availability or anything really. Scott Alexanders comes with a beginner reel - I have those and they are loud. The Tango looks like an "ok" reel for a lot of money. it doesn't get the best reviews.

In case anyone else might be interested, I just ordered Reel Revolution by Propdog....Seems great for what I want it for and a really good price at $35

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAURenR4Lb8

Thanks for sharing that link and while I'm sure it is a great reel it really isn't fair to compare a reel for magicians to reels on key reels or ID reels. They aren't supposed to be quiet. But I get his point, the reel is quiet.

The other things you want to make sure of is can they be maintained? Do they require any lubricant periodically? If the thread or fishing line breaks how easy is it to replace? I used to use a reel in a manipulation act for the "untying silk" and over time had to open the reel and "fix" things a number of times. Since they are so cheap, if you use it regularly you might want to invest in two.

The omega reel is pretty silent though you don’t get a ton of extension so it depends how far you want it to stretch

You might want to search for answers to this topic in the "Threads, Reels and Anchors" group. You're more likely to find reel-savvy people there than in a card magic group.

To whom it may concern,

i need a craftsman who can assemble a Thornton reel
tim@skilldini.com

ty

tim

Hi, Dman11 -

Are you happy with the Propdog item ? Is it quiet enough to use close up or only for stage ? In the video it is suggested that it can be used for a close-up version of silk through mic stand (silk through wine glass stem or silk through wand held by a spectator , see 2:45 - 3:38 of the video). However, to me the sound it makes seemed too loud and obvious. But maybe this is not a problem if the venue is loud, like at a party or a busy restaurant ? Obviously, not a problem on stage, but I am wondering about it for close-up work.

Around 10 years ago Michael Ammar was selling a close-up version (silk through coffee cup handle) at his lectures , which used one made by El Duco , which is no longer made and very difficult to locate now. I should have purchased it back then, but it was expensive and I waited too long ... then suddenly they were all gone and El Duco passed away , no one makes the El Duco version any more. Ammar performed it on David Letterman's show (and almost got busted by Letterman asking to examine the silk ... Letterman was never very nice to magicians) but it looked good and seemed to be quiet. However , Ammar does give a little whistle at a certain moment. But the whistle works , seemed natural in context. I think a countdown : "One, Two ,THREE!" (louder on THREE) would work, too.

Here's the video of Ammar doing it on Letterman: https://youtu.be/ptGQb7NQp0w?t=92