On Mar 10, 2015, mkarav wrote:
How reliable is the vanishing of the ink in the performer's hand? Is it failsafe or does it vary with faint traces left?

For the record Henry Hay in "The Amateur Magician's Handbook" describes the Pothead trick that can be done with any porous surface like a sugar cube. The interesting point of this version is the DELAY: the spec stares at their palm while the cube (with symbol drawn by say a pencil) dissolves in a glass of water or crushed on floor by shoe: THEN you ask him to place his hands over the glass and that is when you transfer the symbol to his hands.

This effect appears stronger than loading the spec right away and then revealing the symbol on his palm. After the symbol disappears in the performer's hand DELAY while spec looks is convinced his palms are clean then do the dirty work.

On Mar 20, 2015, bobgill wrote:
I think Michael Jay made a few very valid points:
- there are other ways to achieve a similar-seeming effect
- this is a good solution: well thought-out, well made, and it works
- there is a moral dilemma involved, since if you have read the thread you know Gary Jones' allegation that the concept was his and so he feels he was ripped off
- no-one knows the role played by the central figure, Mark Southworth, but good luck trying to get a reply out of Mark. [In fairness, I understand he has had a tough family situation to deal with, so he's not on top of his communications right now.]

I just received the prop, not having read this thread till now. Gary is someone I hold in high regard (and he's a fellow Plymothian) so I regret the position he finds himself in. Had I known the history: would I have bought it? Probably not. Now I do know, will I get rid of it on principle? Probably not.

For what it's worth, I think it's a fine prop, and a strong routine. I bought it purely on the strength of the effect I saw on the trailer, and it does exactly what was promised. I will use this, both socially and professionally.

As some of the postings suggest, it is a touch knacky to handle, but the teaching video does a first class job of explaining it in great detail.

Rasmus: nice idea with the biz card/lighter, although I think it does dilute the impact and organic nature of something appearing on a spectator's hand - it's almost a touch intimate.

I quite like the idea of having a dozen or more people at the function having the magic mark on them - provides a talking point in which my performance features.

A pal of mine in the UK, Pete Wentworth, used to constantly do the venerable ash trick back when ashtrays were commonplace. He had a lovely gesture at the end - handed the spectator a single, wrapped wet-wipe tissue (like those given out at KFC) to clean themselves up. It was always a much-appreciated gesture that reflected well on him as a performer and gentleman: particularly as he worked with VIPs, including British Royalty.

My only concern is how long this prop (or to be precise, the inks in the prop) will last - although ink replacements are available from Magicsmith, and his video gives full details how to replace them yourself. So as long as he supports it with these replacements, or one can track down a source of the ink used in the vanish, all's well. Only time will tell how long busy pros find it lasts before the ink runs dry. It's not as if one can buy a supply for the future right now, as they'd all dry out together!

On Apr 8, 2015, Michael Jay wrote:
I've been doing 'ashes on the hand' for nearly 40 years now without any of the problems - any_of_the_problems - that are being posted on this thread. I must say, though, that this thread is a truly entertaining read...My favorite post so far is:

"I'm selling mine..." (ChrisDavid)

But, as is pointed out in several earlier posts, I'm just an idiot. My suggestion is that you don't listen to anything that I have to say and you just keep buying up the latest and the greatest with abandon.

Carry on!

Mike.

On Apr 8, 2015, Michael Jay wrote:
No, Kaliix, the ashes aren't permanent. Of course, that's a downside to it because, as we all know, what everyone wants is someone putting permanent marker on their hands. They just love that (especially if they are a trained professional like a doctor or nurse...And their patients just love how unprofessional they look with permanent maker on their hands - it's just another bonus of helping a magician).

Also, you are correct...When they see the ashes on their hand with no logical answer as to how they got there, they just aren't as impressed as when they see a letter there. In fact, once when I did 'ashes on the hand' the guy looked at me and said, "That's not magic. The other magician that I saw made a letter appear on my hand. I know it's real magic when it's a letter and not just some old smudge. Gee, if only you had that awesome marker that makes letters appear on my hand, then you'd be a real magician."



Mike.

On Apr 8, 2015, Michael Jay wrote:
Kaliix, I've already published an alternative and, furthermore, I've explained alternatives earlier on this thread.

The fact of the matter is, if you need a prop to give your magic greater strength, then what you need, more than the latest and greatest props, are books that teach you how to be a magician. That's the biggest problem in magic today - too many people who think buying sharpies or apps or whatever trick du jour is going to make them a great magician.

Sadly, when someone takes the time to point this out (like another magician trying to help magicians) they simply react with ridicule and remain happy in their world of ignorance. I guess it really is bliss.

Mike.