Attached to this post is what I believe is referred to as a Ring Reel, although the design is not completely accurate from a description in the Pat Page Book on Pulls. This does not have the bell shaped neck to facilitate the automatic opening of the clip. I recently acquired this device with the line suffering from dry rot causing it to break easily and missing the line connector attached to the clip, along with a lack of lubrication.

This Locking Ring Reel is so powerful, it will have no problem making it's journey to it destination. I would say let your cloths beware not to get in the way of trying to slow done or stop it's journey of travel.

Thanks to the genius of James P. Riser, a marvelous machinist of many things including metal spinning and design of magic apparatus. I was able to get a replacement line connector custom made for this pull.

It seems these devices were made in Germany and England circa 1940 through the 1970's. There is no marking on the device, and I am finding there are many different designs and models created at the time.

The only use I have read is that the reel can be used to assist in the vanish of a finger ring from the performers hand, then take it to a place on his body, so that it could be more readily available for retrieval. At which point the finger ring can be secretly delivered to say a set of 'Nest of Boxes' or to any apparatus for magical discovery by the spectator.

I assume that this device can be used for other uses to transport items secretly, do to the design. If anyone has any further information of this device and it's use, I would appreciate reading your comments on this type of secret magical mechanical device. I realize in the day, the instructions did not have much information as to the use, only the working was usually given. But many of these can be found in the drawers of magicians, and something must have caused them to be purchased for a special purpose.

I would like to read any thoughts on the use of this device from those that may still own one of these Ring Reels.

Click here to view attached image.

I had maybe 5 or 6 of these. The handling is in your holding it in pocket, the heel of your hand acts as a slow down... The original trick was to borrow a ring, hold in left hand... it vanishes and you bring right hand out of pocket with ring on a finger.

HOWEVER... the best use (for me) is the Neff Miracle Rope.

Thanks Pete, for your comments. There are 2 safety pins on the back plate to pin the reel on clothing, although because of the weight, the clothing would have to be reinforced. This is heavy and powerful. I can see it being used as a straight pull as well, as it is fast.

These sound like wonderful little marvels in this niche of the magic market. Most of the versions produced today are nowhere near as good as yours sound.

If I were using something this strong with finger rings, I would make sure to only use solid rings with nothing embedded in them. What size are these reels of yours?



Just a side note: I love how you mentioned that because to me, that was better in some ways because it forces performers to be more original (or come up with original ideas) with/for props/routines/effects, rather than copy and repeat the material from someone else, although sometimes even those vague descriptions could have benefitted from a little more info.

Yes, in the early days, the effect was in the catalog page, only the working of the trick was discribed in the instructions, and if you did not have the prop in front of you, you normally would not know what the instructions were referring to at all. These were usually typed with mistakes, on carbon and very thin paper.

As for size the reel body is 2-3/16" in diameter. It is about the same size as janitor's retractable key ring. These can be found at Harbor Freight Stores and Truck Stop normally.

I find this may be one of the cleanest ways to perform a Ring To... effect. Sure, there are other ways that have been developed over the years, but this does away with all added moves and props.

Vanish the ring from the hand. Walk over pickup say a nest of boxes. Have the person open each and remove the next box. Finally, depending on the Nest of Box set, the spectator opens and removes his ring.

Straight, simple, and direct, leaving much room for any antics the performer wishes to include in the routine.

Of all the hundreds of these that were on the market and sold, I find it interesting that no one on the Café has one or uses one regularly.

I DO.

I use two. I do not like nor use the locks on mine. I do not want slack reel cord hanging down and in the way. Also I set the tension low on both as speed along with its disadvantages is not desired. One is used for borrowed, cut, and restored handkerchief. The other is for a comedy repeat silk vanish.
MR

These were often sold by Abbott's and made by Carl Willman. They are almost overkill for a ring flight. But there are plenty of other uses as stated above.

Richard

What is so great about these old reels is the power behind them, today we have key chain reels like the Key-Bak reels, they are the same size and have about the same amount of spring in them, but lack the extra power these old reels have.