On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
Why did magicians transfer to plastic TT's?

On Jan 29, 2016, Austen wrote:

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On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
Why did magicians transfer to plastic TT's?

Id guess a lot would have to do with cost and being able to mass produce them for low prices.

On Jan 30, 2016, Poof-Daddy wrote:
I would first ask "Why do you want / need a metal TT?" If it is a weight issue for sleeving, several magicians use "lead tape?" (adds weight, looks like duct tape a little) I believe it is called.

On Jan 30, 2016, Austen wrote:
I was shown this from an Australian Magician called Sean Taylor when I was first learning it, wonderful guy. He pointed this out to me while using a brightly coloured BLUE TT. he pointed out how his T...b never enters the hand from above. I believe it is the Darwin steal?? I have done it that way ever since.

On Jan 12, 2016, Poof-Daddy wrote:
A great example I have told before - A long time ago, early in my career. I did not like the skin tone difference from my hands to my thumb-tip. I walked into Chuck's House of Magic in Chicago and told him of my woes and that I would gladly pay a premium if I could find the right tone. He told me that he knew "EXACTLY" what I needed. He went under the counter and dug a small silk out of a box. He then proceeded to do the everyday run of the mill vanish and appearance of said silk. I told him that looked wonderful...Did he have one that would match my skin tone? and held out my hand. He then turned his hand over to expose the chrome plated thumb-tip he had just fooled me badly with and asked if I had any more silly questions. I was dumbfounded, but thankfully he spent the next half hour teaching me how to "properly" use a thumb-tip and how to present it so angles are never a factor. I bought an extra new thumb-tip (off color and all plus a new silk as mine was getting quite worn).

On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
A plastic TT can survive a cigarette burn? I would have never thought it! I guess it is because I have never shoved a cigarette into my TT, plus the fact that I am a coffee drinker, not a smoker.

On Jan 30, 2016, Poof-Daddy wrote:

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On Jan 30, 2016, Austen wrote:
I was shown this from an Australian Magician called Sean Taylor when I was first learning it, wonderful guy. He pointed this out to me while using a brightly coloured BLUE TT. he pointed out how his T...b never enters the hand from above. I believe it is the Darwin steal?? I have done it that way ever since.

I have told this story before but it relates well to yours

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On Jan 12, 2016, Poof-Daddy wrote:
A great example I have told before - A long time ago, early in my career. I did not like the skin tone difference from my hands to my thumb-tip. I walked into Chuck's House of Magic in Chicago and told him of my woes and that I would gladly pay a premium if I could find the right tone. He told me that he knew "EXACTLY" what I needed. He went under the counter and dug a small silk out of a box. He then proceeded to do the everyday run of the mill vanish and appearance of said silk. I told him that looked wonderful...Did he have one that would match my skin tone? and held out my hand. He then turned his hand over to expose the chrome plated thumb-tip he had just fooled me badly with and asked if I had any more silly questions. I was dumbfounded, but thankfully he spent the next half hour teaching me how to "properly" use a thumb-tip and how to present it so angles are never a factor. I bought an extra new thumb-tip (off color and all plus a new silk as mine was getting quite worn).

On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
Why did magicians transfer to plastic TT's? Is it still possible to buy a metal TT? I could not imagine that it is because plastic is more realistic. TT's are not SUPPOSED to be realistic, they are gimmicks! A gimmick is not supposed to be seen. This is mostly out of curiosity...

On Jan 30, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote:

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On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
Why did magicians transfer to plastic TT's? Is it still possible to buy a metal TT? I could not imagine that it is because plastic is more realistic. TT's are not SUPPOSED to be realistic, they are gimmicks! A gimmick is not supposed to be seen. This is mostly out of curiosity...

Darn curious kids! --Always asking complicated and difficult questions for us old wise guys to answer! (hee hee)

The 'inventor' of the TT (I've forgotten his name, may he rest in peace.) had his first one made by a jeweler. I think it was of silver, 'cuz nobody had invented plastic yet. Those guys, back then, didn't know very much about science and stuff!

I'll ask Jon Racherbaumer, for the prestidigitator's name. Jon knows how to "Ask Alexander"! I'm too old to learn stuff like that!

I would imagine that "they" switched to plastic, 'cuz it's cheaper. Imagine going to see a manufacturing jeweler to ask him to make you a silver TT! He would probably charge a hundred $! THAT, alone, would reduce the magician population by a gezillion!

That "blacksmith" jeweler, back then, probably spent a whole day, hammering out that first TT! Now, with plastic, it's a simple "blow molding" process. TTs can be made by the hundreds (or thousands) per day, or maybe, even, per hour! --And, no fl*sh colored (?) paint needs to be applied!!!!!!!!

My first (metal) TT, purchased about 1947 from Percy Abbott for $.25 (Yes!!!) served me quite well! It "disappeared" a thousand or so, lit cigarette BUTTS in 'them' days. (It was only about 3 centimeters long, so a whole cigarette couldn't be "disappeared".)

I own a rare item. It's a double ended Vernet TT!!! If we ever meet in person, I MAY even be coaxed into allowing you to see it!

btw...Henry Hay couldn't "decide" whether a TT was a gimmick or a feke! It's still a matter for debate among knowledgeable prestidigitaters, when no other topic, like "how long should the *l*st*c for a pull be"? is worth discussing.
This has been a condensed version of my 90 minute lecture on TTs, which is available for I BOTHER MAGICIANS, or SOME ARE MAGICIANS club,assembly, or ring meetings.

On Jan 30, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote:
P.S.:
I will check my gimmick (or feke) box. I think there are a few metal TTs left over from the days of my youth. Perhaps, if I were to sell them as collector's items, I could retire to an island in the Carribean.

On Jan 30, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote:

Quote:

On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
Why did magicians transfer to plastic TT's? Is it still possible to buy a metal TT? I could not imagine that it is because plastic is more realistic. TT's are not SUPPOSED to be realistic, they are gimmicks! A gimmick is not supposed to be seen. This is mostly out of curiosity...

Darn curious kids! --Always asking complicated and difficult questions for us old wise guys to answer! (hee hee)

The 'inventor' of the TT (I've forgotten his name, may he rest in peace.) had his first one made by a jeweler. I think it was of silver, 'cuz nobody had invented plastic yet. Those guys, back then, didn't know very much about science and stuff!

I'll ask Jon Racherbaumer, for the prestidigitator's name. Jon knows how to "Ask Alexander"! I'm too old to learn stuff like that!

I would imagine that "they" switched to plastic, 'cuz it's cheaper. Imagine going to see a manufacturing jeweler to ask him to make you a silver TT! He would probably charge a hundred $! THAT, alone, would reduce the magician population by a gezillion!

That "blacksmith" jeweler, back then, probably spent a whole day, hammering out that first TT! Now, with plastic, it's a simple "blow molding" process. TTs can be made by the hundreds (or thousands) per day, or maybe, even, per hour! --And, no fl*sh colored (?) paint needs to be applied!!!!!!!!

My first (metal) TT, purchased about 1947 from Percy Abbott for $.25 (Yes!!!) served me quite well! It "disappeared" a thousand or so, lit cigarette BUTTS in 'them' days. (It was only about 3 centimeters long, so a whole cigarette couldn't be "disappeared".)

I own a rare item. It's a double ended Vernet TT!!! If we ever meet in person, I MAY even be coaxed into allowing you to see it!

btw...Henry Hay couldn't "decide" whether a TT was a gimmick or a feke! It's still a matter for debate among knowledgeable prestidigitaters, when no other topic, like "how long should the *l*st*c for a pull be"? is worth discussing.

This has been a condensed version of my 90 minute lecture on TTs, which is available for I BOTHER MAGICIANS, or SOME ARE MAGICIANS club,assembly, or ring meetings.

On Jan 30, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote:
Hey Austen!

Egad! 30+ posts in a week! Youse musta been saving them up since "forever"!

Thanks for the name of the guy to blame for the invention of the TT!

Jon R. and I had discussed the TT at some length after I had done the "standard" vanishing silk at an I Bother Magicians Ring meeting one night in New Orleans.

Jon was "impressed" because I didn't say, "Here I have a red silk which I will shove into my fist, and it will disappear before your very eyes!"

In 1975, old friend, J.B. Bobo and I were visiting, and, J.B. showed me his routine with a TT and silk. I had been on the road with my school show, and, hadn't seen the new Vernets. I developed a 'handling' for it, and used it all the following season. It played well, and, I 'blame' J.B.!

O

On Jan 30, 2016, ColtonRaelund wrote:
A plastic TT can survive a cigarette burn? I would have never thought it! I guess it is because I have never shoved a cigarette into my TT, plus the fact that I am a coffee drinker, not a smoker.