Yep, pretty much agree with Mac here. The other tricky coins have their place but for more general, all-around magic, the X-Shell and C/S coin are hard to beat, as to price and usage. You can ramp up transpo effects with a C/S coin, and an X-shell creates the impossible…Just check Roth's, Super Clean Coins Across. It's still one of the best coin routines ever done with a sh*ll, IMHO.

I would agree to some extent --

the problem is that all the things I like to do with the TUC can't be done with a split coin.

So, as always, figure out the desired end result and work backwards.

I use the TUC and all gaffs less and less, relying more on Sleight -- some of which I invented to meet a specific need.

Hence, the gaffs gave me the confidence to keep my hand in coin magic despite severe arthritus.

Now that I have found out what I want to do I figure out a better way,

Since not everyone has this creative drive I suggest mastering an Exp [ first, then get a TUC if you are performing more coin magic than anything else.

You can always use the TUC with an exp [ for extra excitement. (which is why Mr. Tango added the Slip-Shim-Shell)

Can't live without a C/S of course, but that's a different approach to astonishment.

.......

as a side-bar, combining an Exp [ with a hooker or mag-coin can open up incredible possibilities (one-ahead and one-behind in the same effect). Called the Birch Stack it is very unappreciated.

Maybe I should write an e-book ;}