I've been attempting the razor blade illusion where you show a series of blades then place "them" in your mouth along with a piece of thread and they come out tied on the thread. One question. What can I do to prevent the blades from sticking to each other while I pull them out? The trick up to this point is fine, but when I pull the string I have the sticky problem. Is there a way to set up the razors and string or do I coat the blades with something?
Adam

When I bought the razor blade illusion, it didn't come with very detailed instructions. I found that the more I practiced the more I learned how to set up the packet of blades on the string. Your going to have to play around with this untill it feels comfortable but all I do is keep my lips together when I pull the blades out and sometimes when two blades are stuck together I look downward but continue to pull in the same direction. This isn't going to make any sense until you try it. Let me know if this helps.

Jonathan

Jonathan,
Thanks for the advice. I tried to keep my lips closed when I first attempted this and cut the top one a bit. Nothing major. I still have to dull the blades a bit. But as I always say, I suffer for my art.
All the best,
Adam

Ouch. I purchased fake blades. I don't have the guts to put real ones in my mouth even if I did dull them. I was in 'Sweeney Todd' last year and I remember the day before the show Sweeney's razor blade came in and it was as sharp as a normal barber's razor. We spent the next hour or so trying to dull it, but let me tell you I was scared to death on that stage.

Jonathan

Razors are nothing when you swallow swords or hold burning torches in your teeth. It's mind over matter but you do need a certain amount of nerve.
A.

Well I'd have to disagree that razors are nothing compared to swords and fire. They're so different that I don't think it's a valid comparison. I feel that placing any foreign object into your mouth must be done with caution.

Anyway when placing sharp blades into the mouth remember that when they are placed in a stack and wet with saliva they are much less likely to cut the mouth than a single blade would. This is a natural fact about our bodies. If you think about it you can eat dry toast easily but if you tried to rub it against your stomach with enough force to break it you would get quite tender.

NS,
You bring up some very valid points. Placing anything in your body that shouldn't normally be there poses a risk. Or rather risks. Do you have any advice for pulling the blades out? I find that when they are wet with saliva they tend to stick, which was my initial problem. When I was pulling them out they were sticking together.
Adam

I've never had much problem pulling them out. I think it may be because I use fairly heavy thread. The heavy thread keeps slightly more space between the blades which may lead to them rolling apart easier. Plus heavy thread needs to be replaced less often. Also when I reach for the thread in my mouth I quite often spread the blades a bit with my fingers. The audience doesn't seem to notice, because they just assume I'm reaching for the thread.

Some people like to dip their blades in melted wax to protect them. I've never felt a need but wonder if anyone has tried it and what their thoughts are.

Heavy Thread ... sounds good. I figured that a coating was used. I was thinking vaseline. I'll work with the thicker thread and let you know.
Thanks Again,
Adam

I'm not sure I'd want to put vaseline in my mouth. It may be fine but I keep thinking of how a dog acts when it eats peanut butter. On the other hand the guy who developed vaseline used to eat a bit every day because he felt it kept him regular. I'd imagine the blades would stick together if coated with vaseline. Still I don't think I'll try it. Let me know how you do.

NS,
I haven't tried it yet. I've been so busy over the past few days. At some point this weekend I'll play with this whole thing again. I'll let you know.
A.

Try using fishing line instead of thread, I found it far superior!

Dental floss. It is coated, heavy and looks better than fishing line.

ML

Here's the drill:

1. Use waxed dental floss. The wax will help hold them together.
2. Accordion fold the floss between the blades. As you fold each section, moisten the floss with plenty of salivia. Lick it. This will hold the blades together, and ensure that they come out separately one at a time.
3. Get a small bead and tie it to the end of the floss, this will help you find the correct end.

Tim Ellis has an excellent, and for razor blades, pretty safe method. I know it is published in his lecture notes.

quack

Why don't you dull all but one blade and palm the sharp one out?

That wouldn't do you any good because you need to bring them back up on a string ... unless there was a different climax to the illusion.

Also palming out a razor sharp peice of metal is kind of dangerous ... unless you were to drop it into a hat or something without actually palming it...

Dark, then I don't know what is that I saw in Tarbell, check it and tell me what they really meant. Then again I don't do the trick.

Upclosemonte:

I wish I had Tarbell.

Okay, regarding the thread issue: Use carpet thread. It looks just like white cotton but is VERY strong. Fishing line, 100% cotton, nylon thread, and dental floss will all break.

Accordion folding the thread between the blades is not the solution. Wrap the thread around the first blade, put the second blade flat against the first blade, then wrap the thread around both blades. Repeat this process until all of the blades are wrapped up.

There are full details of a VERY safe but extremely effective method in my lecture notes ELLIS IN WONDERLAND. see http://www.MagicUnlimited.com

TIM ELLIS