Is it? Can you explain your reasons behind this? I've seen many people who do quite well(even better) without using the "thumb stuff" move at all. To me, the most important part of TT use is to make it look natural, and I cringe every time I see someone use their thumb in this fashion.

I'm not sure if the videos are still available, but check out "Rules of Thumb". I also recomend "The Movie" there is a beautiful handling of the FT.

Rannie

In my opinion, the trick with the FT in "The Movie" is more efficient on magicians than on Laymen, the motions are quite unnatural. For example, there is no reason to cross the fingers.

50 tricks with a thumb tip.

Carl Cloutier has also an interesting TT-sleeving.

I saw one guy do a routine with a red thumb tip just to prove a point, pretty cool lol

It certainly was Salvano.
In one of his video, he does all the explanation and performance with a yellow one.
He explained that the color is not important, since we almost never have to see it, it is just for security if we make mistakes. He's THE master of TT.

Phil Cass has a nice TT handling at the end of his "Shell Game" video. The "thumb stuff" is totally nonexistent!

All this discussion of thumb tips and nobody mentioned Roger Klause. His book, "In Concert", has some excellent routines with a thumbtip. Every one of them is an example of well thought out thumbtip use. He refined the thumbtip bill switch to such an extent that it is one of his signature moves. He uses a tip in his spongeballs up the sleeve and it's mindblowingly diabolical. Both the handling of the vanish and the revelation will get past most people who know about tips because there are none of the classsic tells. He also has a superb handling for the vanishing cigarette, the trick which really made the thumbtip as popular as it is today. Yes, nobody does cigarrette magic anymore, that's why most people buy a thumbtip based on the vanishing hanky demo but putting a lit cigarrette in your hand and having it disappear in a puff of smoke is just about as good as it gets.

Anyway, lots of good thumbtip stuff out there but Klause gets my vote as one of the better resources because his handlings are far more refined than those found in thumbtip specific books and he has several different types of routines that serve as excellent examples of good thumbtip work.

Finally, I'm a big fan of the vinyl thumbtips that come in from japan, they look pretty good and are kind of squishy to facilitate some of the moves with bills.

Dave

When I bought my first TT, I had the guys at US Toy Magic show me the basics and I basically expanded it from there. The people at US Toy are a first-rate bunch of guys, and took the time to teach me until I had it down. However, I've also viewed the Royal Magic video, and while it was a bit dry, it did provide good tips and techniques for beginners (in my humble opinion).

-Paul

I highly recommend the video tape of Salvano on thumb tip, released by Stevens

...and the other source where Salvano gives tips for the TT on a video released by International Magic London

Can somebody tell me where I can find Salvano's vids/DVDs? I can't seem to find any site which carries it. Thanks guys

Try here:

Thanks Gary!

If you can find it, Patrick Page has a GREAT tape on the TT.

Riley

Just found it here:

http://www.daytonamagic.com/Video's/video088.htm

scroll down to near bottom of page.
I'm sure others will have it, too.

Penguin Magic has a new Thumb Tip 3 DVD set coming out that sounds pretty good.

Rules of Thumb is no longer available from Kevin James (even though it's still on his website). Any other sources?

If you're using a TT on your foot maybe YOU should write a book or produce a DVD!

I have both the Patrick Page videotape and the Milbourne Christopher's 50 Tricks with a Thumb Tip.

50 Tricks has very little in the way of technique but instead has a variety of effects you can do with a thumb tip. You are left on your own to learn how to use the TT properly.

The Patrick Page video has just a few (mostly classic) effects, but a lot of discussion on getting the TT, stealing it etc.

For a beginner, the Patrick Page video would be the best choice. For those more experienced, the Christopher pamphlet will get your creative juices flowing.

Howard