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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Trick coin trickery » » Shell Set Preferences (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

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Mike Wild
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Inner circle
NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC
1290 Posts

Profile of Mike Wild
Fingers - Your welcome. I've used a lot of gaffs for a lot of years, so I guess it's like second nature for me. I like straight up sleight of hand as well, but that's more for informal, quieter, and less hectic performance venues. In a bar environment you need as many time savers and as much help as you can get. Gaff coin magic isn't self working, you need to sell the tricks as much as you do any sleight of hand stuff, but they can make life easier in a lot of ways. Remember the golden rule of gaffs and gimmicks... only use them to enhance or to add something to a routine that can't be done any other way. Exploit their unique function but don't rely on them to do the work for you. Smile

baldr6797 & SPEEDcuber - I use Johnson quarter shells too. (Jaz, you beat me to the punch on the affiliate link Smile ). I use a new style quarter, heads side shell because they're all the same no matter what state is on the reverse side. I also use an old style quarter tails shell (that's the one that got smushed Doug... two words on how that happened... "the boy" Smile I let the youngin borrow it... nuff said there Smile ) I have a regular routine that uses the Quarto-kito prop, a couple borrowed quarters, and a card box, so I need to be able to match whichever style quarter I'm given by the spectator.

Best to all,

Mike
<><>< SunDragon Magic ><><>

"Question Reality... Create Illusion"
Fingers
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Inner circle
Pennsylvania, USA
1330 Posts

Profile of Fingers
Thanks again for the advice Mike Wild, your way of operating suits me just fine and I will remember that "golden rule"!
Where I go, so do my coins.....
Dougini
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Inner circle
The Beautiful State Of Maine
7130 Posts

Profile of Dougini
YIKES!

I forgot ALL about those cursed "STATES" quarters...

Criminy! I wish the U.S. Mint would freakin' leave our classic coins ALONE! Quarters & nickles are being minted differently...

Screwed up the quarter gaffs, and, one of my favorites, the magnetic shell nickle!

Even the NEW quarter (eagle back)...the HEAD side is slightly different...

Hello? Johnson Products? LOL!

Doug
Walking Bob
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Special user
502 Posts

Profile of Walking Bob
I have both expanded and unexpanded from Lassen and Schoolcraft. Without a doubt if you can afford the difference in price, unexpanded is the only way to go. If you could see both sets side by side you would know exactly what I am talking about. Years ago when there were half dollars in circulation it made sense to borrow 4 halves and then ring in the shell and you were off. The knock on unexpanded shells has always been that you could not borrow the coins. If you are working with half dollars or silver dollars you have to use your own anyway, so why not use the best and most deceptive gimmick of the two.

Have a nice day!!! Walking Bob in Iowa
Magic from A to Z
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Elite user
Sweet Home Alabama
486 Posts

Profile of Magic from A to Z
I use a Johnson Quarter Shell because most are familiar with a quarter. I've never had anyone to comment that the coin looked out of place.
Pete McEwen
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Special user
Durham, N.C.
576 Posts

Profile of Pete McEwen
I'm getting ready to put in an order for a coin set from Mr. Lassen. With that said there is going to be about a $100 dollar difference on getting the expanded or unexpanded set. is it really worth the 100 to get it?

The Set consists of barber halves and a couple standard gaffs

SPEED
The magician formerly known as SPEEDcuber
"no one will believe the things we do if we don't believe them ourselves." - Slydini
PeteMcEwen@mac.com
rutabaga
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Inner circle
Toronto, Canada
1283 Posts

Profile of rutabaga
The difference on a shell set alone [for Barbers] is $30.00. In addition to the undistorted shell, the cut down coins will also be remilled, but remain soft. If that's important to you, I'd suggest $30 is well worth it....
mkiger
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Loyal user
228 Posts

Profile of mkiger
I had the same thing happen years ago. Put the shell on the table and started to get the other halves out and the girl asked, "Why is that one bigger?"

After determining there were too many witnesses, I let her escape. Hopefully that gene is not dominant.
Pete Biro
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1933 - 2018
18558 Posts

Profile of Pete Biro
If someone says "Why is that coin bigger (or thicker)" pick it up, look it over and just say, "In those days the U.S. Mint didn't have the quality control like they do today.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
Pete McEwen
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Special user
Durham, N.C.
576 Posts

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Yea, I must say I've never had the "that one is bigger problem" I used to use johnson shells and they were fine, but now since I've got my lassen set (unexpanded, see above) I've had much MUCH more confidence with tricks, now I use them for gary kurtz's trio, Troy Hooser's extroydinary, and a lot of Kainoa's work. Highly recomended.

SPEED
The magician formerly known as SPEEDcuber
"no one will believe the things we do if we don't believe them ourselves." - Slydini
PeteMcEwen@mac.com
stevenamills
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Veteran user
397 Posts

Profile of stevenamills
I was interested to see the John Mendoza, on his new DVDs, had the "fat coin" issue. His routining of Kennedy's Translocation was totally predicated on keeping the funny coin's visibility to a minimum.

In most cases it doesn't take the eyes of a hawk to see it.

I've got an unexpanded set of silver dollars coming from Todd and I'm sure I'll feel better. Logically (if that means anything) the rim size difference should be less noticeable with the larger coins.

Time will tell.....
caubeck
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Elite user
412 Posts

Profile of caubeck
Does anyone know why all euro shells are unconvincingly wide? I have only used my 2 euro[ in a trick for my girlfriend's grandmother (she was thrilled) and an old guy I give English classes to. Otherwise I'd be caught with it (and have been twice).
David Neighbors
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V.I.P.
4915 Posts

Profile of David Neighbors
HI Gang,
It's not all ways just the shell ( But A good Lassen Shell will help Smile )
It's also How you Handle It !!! Too Many Handle it like it was A EGG SHELL! Smile
David Neighbors
the coinjurer
www.daveneighbors.com
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