Hi guys,
what markers does everyone else use? I've heard that Sharpies are the best, but seen other guys using different ones. Like Mark Byrne, I don't think he uses Sharpies. What other ones are good? I understand Sharpies are good as they dry quickly. For the bigger things like eyes the stripes on the trunk of an elephants hat. Also white ones.

I use sharpies

they just brought out a retractable one (which is great) but for less nice places I have a keyring on a chain of small ones with key ring attachments so I cant loose them!

don't know about white though.

I use markers and marking sticks. I'll explain.

Currently I use MarksALot retractable markers; Black, red, green and blue. Chisel point
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/p......36907931

the other thing I use is a meanstreak by sanford
http://www.durablesupply.com/sanmeanstrea.html

the mean steak comes in White, Yellow, Black and Red. it makes a a very wide bold stroke. it is similar to working with a china marker as it is not ink but a creamy paste that dries within less than a minute. Once dry you can mark over it with a magic marker.

A great advantage I like is the ability to twirl the marker to make circles and dots. There is a hole in the center of the stick like a roll on deodorant. By using a a paddle-like twist it creates easy small circles.

Most of the marking techniques I use can be seen on both my DVDs Bad to the Balloon #1 & #2 Available through me!! PM me if interested.

I think the retractable Sharpie's are the best to use so that you can do it all with one hand and no capping is needed... Also, if you can attach them to a reel or elastic so that they shoot back to you after drawing, that would be nice. =]

-Vinnie

Thanks for the info, it's great to get what other people use. Thanks Mark, I allready have both your DVD's, brilliant, the kids really like your hats I hear wow, your amazing..........well what can I say

I must say I use the retractable Sharpie, it's just I saw BTTB use others.

Mark (or anybody) do you find the solvents which are naturally in paint will make the balloon more readily "poppable"?

Steve

I find crap in your marker will pop a balloon more readily than the chemicals in it. Wipe off dirty markers well if you drop it. Anything citrus based will pop a balloon. In fact Royal Sorrell is the one who told me citrus spray is how they pop balloons on big jobs.

The paint markers with press to use tips don't work well either. The Meanstreaks are available at OfficeDepot and officeMAx pick one up and try it.

Not much luck with metallic either...

I personally use sharpies but some twisters like dry erase markers. The dry erase markers dry just as fast and don't wipe off. They are available in the same colors. Most importantly, when the balloon deflates/pops the ink is still dry. With a sharpie if the balloon pops days later, the ink is wet again and can mark stuff unexpectedly.

Wow thanks Lochlan. I didn't know that. So all this stuff about Sharpies being the best, is not strictly true ~:-)

Like I said I still use sharpies because I also use them for magic.

Same here. I just might try dry erase though. I can see the benefits though.

I've heard from a lot of twisters that they only use dry erase markers. As mentioned, they "dry" and that's that. Sharpies will become wet again when a balloon pops and could (potentially) ruin cloths or fabrics.

Mark.

You know, I never knew that!

I always thought that dry erase markers would ERASE if someone rubbed it if it was on a balloon!

Learn something new every day. =]
-Vinnie

They erase from a non absorbant surface - eg a dry wipe board

For all sharpie users blow up a balloon, draw on it, deflate it, and grab where you drew. Now imagine a kid getting it on their hands around their uptight mother, or worse it getting on furniture...and they know the source. I switched to the dry erase pens because of the sharpie liquification problem. I will say that when I spoke with a guy considered one of the major balloon types he never heard of the sharpie ink issue and was really surprised when he tested it.

I thought that was the reason that you used a sharpie. Live and learn.

Now you know...you've been warned!

Don't let a parent start yelling at you for something you can definitely control.

Mark.

It really is the darnest thing about those sharpies, which are great pens. I asked a Sharpie rep (at an office supply trade show) about it and they said it wouldn't happen and when I showed them they were shocked and had no clue that it would liquify. I had a kid get it all over them once but the parents just shrugged it off and said better the kid than a wall.

Wow this forum is amazing isn't it. Were else would you get such a wealth of knowledge. I don't think the majority would have known this about Sharpies............even the reps

I tried a dry wipe on a balloon......it was much better, it dried very quickly and no messing (as above) I'm certainly making the shift.