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*Bro* Loyal user 209 Posts |
Great suggestion Todd. I do the block head thing quite a bit and up until now have never heard of the ocean spray product. Thanks for the tip.
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m.s.magic Regular user England-newcastle- 105 Posts |
What is the exact effect of blockhead, plz?
Best regards, Tom
What is real and what is an illusion ? it all depends on your perception, reality is only limited by the boundries of the imagination, and imagination can defy the laws of everything - Criss Angel
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
The Human Blockhead act consists of hammering a nail (and sometimes other objects such as ice picks and screwdrivers) into your nose. It is a very old act that apparently goes back to the Fakirs of India. It was a standard part of the Torture King or Human Pincushion act until 1929 when Melvin Burkhart took the stunt, added in jokes and made it a stand alone act. The name was applied to it by Robert Ripley, of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, in the early 1930s. Melvin's last performance of the act was on October 8th, 2001 at my wedding. He died one month later on Nov. 8th, 2001 at the age of 94. If you want to see what it looks like, go to my website http://www.toddrobbins.com
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Blockhead is great; getting married is dangerous !!
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Krakler New user 5 Posts |
Hi, I've been working on blockhead off and on for several days. I have no one knowledgable to assist me personally. I have the opportunity to purchase the book "Swami Mantra." Does this teach the effect? It seems I recall reading several years ago that this wasn't really an instructional book.
Anyway, I'm using a plastic, blunt ended chopstick. At about 2.5 inches penetration (from the outer tip of my left nostril), I seem to hit an obstruction. Of course I don't want to apply force, being new to this. Could someone with experience in this effect advise me? Does the canal take a jog or turn somewhere around 2"-3" back? Any help would be appreciated. Regards, Scott. |
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AmazingEARL Veteran user Tennessee, USA 350 Posts |
I did Blockhead 12+ shows a day during the four years I traveled with the Sideshow (evidence of a mis-spent youth). I've not done it in years, but have taught a few insane folks who wanted to learn.
As I recall (and I'm sure others who do it regularly will correct me, here), if you're hitting something - go gently under it. GENTLY being the operative word! And don't rush to learn the act! Your nose will still be there tomorrow. I experienced the "Blood Surprise" only once during that time, myself. It scared ME more than the audience! Funny thing is that I was in the middle of the typical joke about "It looks like blood, but it's-not" when it happened. "Oh! Actually, I guess it IS blood...!" Since that time I've had problems with sinus infections; two or three a year on average. I can't prove it's from the Blockhead act. I did a lot of nasty stuff for applause back then and can still taste the fuel from the Fire Act occasionally, so it could be anything. All the same, I don't usually encourage folks to learn the Blockhead. But, if that's your preferred method for freaking people out, I won't stand in the way of your fun. |
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actorscotty Veteran user wilmington nc 397 Posts |
Did blockhead on a regular basis, long ago in the sideshow days. However I never felt totally comfortable driving a nail with a hammer( yes it must be done carefully and slowly, to crearte the proper illusion).
I still do blockhead as part of my ADULT shows, never for kids. But now I use a phillips screwdriver, and do the tired old jokes about having a screw loose etc. Thankfully I Have never experienced blood, so far and I am now 60 years old. On a side not I don't find this act especially dangerous, especially compared to the cancer inducing sword swallowing, or the lung singing, fireating acts( yes I did those too)if you want to be freaky but safe, do a nail bed. just my 2 cents,, john |
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Zod New user 41 Posts |
What exactly are the risks is this effect?
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jennieprice Regular user Quartzsite, Az 118 Posts |
The only real risk is taking yourself too seriously.
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Todd Robbins V.I.P. New York 2922 Posts |
"The only real risk is taking yourself too seriously."
How true. Oh, and there's also the risk of ramming a nail into your brain. |
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Zod New user 41 Posts |
So what is the best source for learning this stunt?
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Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
Send an E-mail to sanscan@4dcomm.com (Slim Price) and I'll tell you the works.
Slim Price
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
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what the...? Veteran user North Carolina 378 Posts |
I love this trick. I have practiced it for a while to be able to use a hammer. I say that I will hammer a nail into my face, but turn to the side, so it looks really corny, then turn to show it is actually up there. That always gets them.
The great Sandwich!
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DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-03-25 14:11, what the...? wrote: I often do a similar thing. I turn my face away from the audience and hide the nail with my hand. I looks like a really cheesy trick. Then I say "you think the nail is going down the side of my face, but its 'snot" That always gets a laugh, then shock when I show it clearly in my head.
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
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Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
Here's a couple of ideas for blockhead and flossing fans... Try a corkscrew in place of the nail(just take off the point) and preload a bit of spaghetti for a grim effect. Nasturtium flowers are edible and so are the stems, making for an idea to floss, and then eat the work.
Slim Price Ask for sideshow notes at sanscan@4dcomm.com
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
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radiantentertainment Regular user Donald Collins 112 Posts |
I have to share this story. While at snowshoe ski resort over the winter I performed Blockhead for a stupid human trick contest. After knocking the nail out of my head a rather drunk gent then took my 20 penny nail and proceeded to drive it into his head with a beer bottle. As blood ran down his face he busted the bottle over his head. I have to admit that I didn't think I would ever be shown up after doing blockhead. I've heard great things about your show Mr. Robbins I would like to catch it someday.
Life is not a dress rehearsal!
Less is more. & Knock'em dead! |
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oscarquella New user 32 Posts |
I tried this for the first time yesterday. In one nostril it worked just fine, but I can't get it in the other nostril whatsoever. Has anyone else had this experience? Also, are there any chemicals or anything on nails that I should watch out for? I cleaned one off and wiped a bunch of black stuff off of it and got kind of freaked out. Thanks.
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jennieprice Regular user Quartzsite, Az 118 Posts |
Most everyone does. Personally, I can do it with one nostril but not the other, so it's not uncommon. One is nearly always larger than the other. Look up nasal turbinates.
If you got all that black stuff off the nail, then you had a really dirty nail. If you're worried about what's on the nail, wipe 'em down with rubbing alcohol before you do blockhead. jennieprice |
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what the...? Veteran user North Carolina 378 Posts |
I have heard of people using pencils, how the heck?! I can get maybe an inch deep. Anybody have any suggestions. I never learned it from an actual source, just from some kid who happened to know it in my english class last year.
Brian
The great Sandwich!
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jennieprice Regular user Quartzsite, Az 118 Posts |
The pencils diameter is too large. Just but the darn nail and at 6 cents won't break the bank..... Just take off the point and irregularities. It won't hurt to do a search for inferior turbinates on the web, or read through this topic. Pretty much all the questions are answered, IF you can be bothered to do your own research.
Jennieprice |
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