Bob-

I just rediscovered Slydini's silk work. I believe he used a rip-stop type of material. Do you sell any of those, or have silks that are slick enough and can stand the abuse?

Jim

Jim,

Tony was a tailor by trade. He used Rip-Stop Nylon (about $2-4/yard) and available at any major fabric store. You can spot it by the little half inch squares in the weave. It is for making parts bags and linings. He used white to look like a man's handkerchief. Tony made me some colored ones since I am a dove magician. (Slydini taught me the trick using two different color real silks! It makes it quicker to learn.) He manufactured with the Nylon to have something to sell with high markup. Also he needed the wide ugly hem easily done on home machines. (The hem is the key to knowing one hank from the other. Slydini Silk is a trick not remotely related to silk.)

Frankly, it is easier with real silk. The Nylon has some advantages. While it is not strength, it is tighter weave, cheaper and does not stain as easily as real silk does.

The colored ones Tony made me in the 60s are still alive and well. Now they are used in my wife's act with her live unicorns who play Drop the Hanky in the act. (Nylon holds up better in horse teeth too! It was much too heavy to use with doves and oxygen is VIP to a living bird.)

Bob

PS --- Our new silk price list going into effect August 1st is ready to email to those requesting it.

Click here to view attached image.

Jim: Steve Draun sells the nylon "silks" for the Slydini routine. http://stevedraun.com/

Bob & Bob...

Niiiice pic! We have an Arabian that has that gorgeous white head. Horses are just my way to feel centered. Now, though, in Ohio, it is horse ffly time... What did humanity ever do to deserve such a plague?

Send me some silks that work for Slydinis routine- how much... I am in...

Other Bob... Just ordered those today... Thanks!

Jim

Jim,

You will need to have the Rip Stop Nylons made. (Tony's were 21".)

Bob

HOWEVER,

You know you are invited to Magic Valley Ranch for Magic Valley Magic October 5-6. Come take part in the flea market and magic.

http://magicvalleymagic.com/

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......rt=420#5

Thanks, Bob. And, thanks for the invitation too! Google gives it about 625 miles from Columbus and we have relatives in Louisville, so we will give this some thought. Sounds like a wonderful time!

Jim

Jim,

I hope you come and take part.

Bob

Well the other shoe has dropped! If you own good China silks you are rich! If not, TOO LATE! They are going to get very expensive.

For importers, now minimum orders are 1000 pieces of a color. Variety of good silks will disappear in both size and color. As Richard Hughes warned you years ago replacement prices have doubled several times. Many dealers now wish they could replace sold silks even at retail prices now. Some already complain about colors that are no longer available.

Junk silk (what importers call 75 cent silk) with inferior quality, pigments and hems may be all many dealers can get. Life changes. Be very careful buying on line. Handle the silks first, if you can. Otherwise, stick with proven suppliers YOU KNOW.

Don't give up your silk magic. Paying Audiences love it!

Hello Harry! I first saw the Mongolian silk when Jay did it on Bozo (WGN TV)in the late '60s. I had gone along to the studio with him. It played great! I've never used it in a show, but it's in my note book. I'm momentarily blank of the magician's name (the 'inventor') I met him when I lectured in D.C. for Al Cohen.

I have 'played' with it and have decided that if it ever goes 'in', I won't bother swtchng tubes. I'll just do it like Duke Stern's DYE VERSION. (i.e.: preset the tube with the three colors and go south each time with the white0

I have a suitcase full of silks, too. Years ago, I sold off most of the 36" Rices, but kept the six footers. Also, kept the smaller solids as I use a lot of silk in the school show. (you know: packs small-plays big!)

Did you ever see Don Lawton do the Harrison Silk Blow?

THIS is not in the working act, but I have the necessary to do it. --Sometimes the client on a club date wants to produce a gift for someone.

I certainly appreciate Bob Sander's recent posts on DIAMOND SILKS. I've learned some things!!!!!

Usually names like Mongolian were associated with the late Ali Bongo, that great inventor of fantastic magic tricks.

I don't remember this trick, it may have slipped by my keen eye.

I have Don Lawton's video tape of his show, but every time I try to change it to digital, the VCR breaks, so far I have gotten 4 VCRs all have broken. I am afraid to try it again because it is really getting expensive to try to play a video cassette.

BILL>>> It wasn't Ali B. We were friends...I drove him to Boston SAM in '74.

Mongolian Silk "Mystery" was conceived by, I think, FRED JOHANNSEN. During WWII, he flew "over the hump" hauling supplies either to or from Burma. On long flights he "worked on" routines. Somewhere, I think I have a note from him in my memorabilia box. He attended my lecture in D.C. in, I think, '83. When I get a minute (ha!) I'll try to write up the basic idea. It's practical, and simple and relatively easy. (Silk dye without dye tube!).

I have Don's VHS tape,too. I would like to get it on to a DVD, but I don't have the technical skill. Don was a real friend. He got me "into" the Magic Castle for my lecture back in '71.

Have you taken inventory to see if you are rich?

Life for silk magicians is changing!

As the magicians' silk importer, our supply of the best ones from China is a going away thing. About all that will be available to American magicians soon are India and "Italian" silks or what we call in the import business seventy-five cent silk. All are of inferior quality compared to the DoveLite silks we have imported for many years.

What is in inventory comes in 13 colors now. (China no longer makes but six colors!) When the current inventory of these colors is gone, they will be gone indeed and cannot be replaced.

Of course, you are also aware of the falling value of the US dollar in world markets. That really changes replacement cost in the future.

Silk magic is beautiful and audiences love it. But it may become something not everyone can afford with the good stuff. Take good care of what you have got.