Seems that many agree that the Kohler/Fitch Holdout is the best of the available holdouts. Like many magicians, I can't afford the best. I also can not afford those fancy mechanical holdouts made by Owen, etc. So, what do you feel is the second best holdout, excluding those wonderful, expensive, mechanical holdouts? To simplify, lets reduce to "gravity holdouts".

On a second note, how would you build "end", "catch", or "pull" for a single dollar sized coin? My first thought is shim/magnet combo. Any other ideas?

Thanks
Keith

Go to http://www.woodencigars.com

This has been discussed before in the secret sessions area but you need to have 50 posts to read the topics.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=37
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=37

You final thought "shim, etc." makes most sense. You can make you own gravity ala Jack Miller for pennies.

Making a holdout is rather simple in theory, but will take quite some time getting it just right. as for a good coin catch maybe play around with some small electrical alligator clips. also get the holdout book by ed mischell (sp?). its worth its weight in gold and costs less than 5.00. good luck KeithP.

Thayer used to make a coin pull made of wood. Dai Vernon used and loved it. You can also consider a flat area with a waxy-like material.


I just thought of a way to improve it... will see if I can get some made up.

Good luck with that Pete. Ever play around with the Fitch/Kohler holdout??

No... been a Jack Miller HO user (although I make may own gravity unit).

I made a very basic version and liked the possibilites that it opened. they are quite useful little items aren't they Pete?

If you get the Ed Mishell book "Holdout Miracles" you will see how great they can be. I have a super simple one for a chop cup and one for a killer egg bag routine with a plain paper bag.

Using an everyday object for magic? How unique! LOL

When I bought some of the estate of a famous old magician, I learned that his basic props were made of snuff cans and Prince Albert cans. Why not? Creativity is basic to good magic. We go from the known to the unknown. Finding a holdout container for a deck of loose cards makes a Prince Albert can solid gold!

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Safety pins, fishing line, a large washer or two, some silly putty... ah the joys of starting one's explorations.

Nice when wearing a jacket, but things get real interesting when doing walk-around magic, etc., in the real world - that's where you likely want to find cleaner and better insulated solutions to problems you will find as you start from the above.

Bob,

Are you on the same thread as I am? Ah, no you're not.

Jonathan,

Three flyin' kinda guy, there are few things cleaner than a hold-out. Very few. Using the F/K or Wonder versions allow the darned thing to be effectively "put away" when it is not needed.

It is utilitarian, little seen and completely subterranean to our lay friends. I wonder what you have against the little toy?!?!

Wandering back to the thread. 2nd best hold out isn't important. The F/K variant is great. What matters is practicing with the darned thing. Don't worry about who makes a good one. Take the copy of "Hold-out Miracles" you probably already own. Very complete instructions for making one are in there.

Make one! Practice with it and determine if you think it is worth your time. It ain't the gaffs that make the difference, it's the well practiced and rehearsed people plying them!

KG

Right... practice and do not be greedy with the principle. What a chop cup routine you can do with one. Also... my Egg bag with a plain paper bag (I even did it once with a semi clear plastic bag) can kill.

My home made H.O. probably took 15-20 minutes to make and costs under a couple of bucks. Waiting for the JB weld (quick) to dry included.

Pete,

Someday some feller is going to come up with a killer C&B routine with one!

KG

A Challenge? Wait 'til I get to the "Cups Con"

I'm looking forward to seeing you again. I wish I had the background to come up with a HO based cups and balls routine. Someone will take the magic world by storm with this idea.

Sorry to drift off topic for a sec, but that wooden cigar website is great! !

Dooblehorn,

John Rogers is very good magician. He makes the best props in his little corner of the magic universe. I like his products very much.

Getting back to the thread, if you're not handy with !@#embling things or are simply lazy, the hold out he sells is:

Inexpensive as magic props go. (Really inexpensive as far as holdouts go!) and well made.

His video "Smokin' Candies" is the best video information out there on using a hold out. (If you want to buy the 2000 dollar version it actually comes with better DVDs but this thread is about the second best holdout.)

Please check the second post in this thread. That guy is a freakin' genius!!

KG

TDhanks for the link to John's H.O. Demo... I guess I'll have to see about making up a few of my ball H.O. vanish/producers.