Hey there all!!!

I am actually looking for some recomendations for some tricks to purchase. I've been a long time card trickster... My grandfather left his legacy of card magic books and papers for me when he died. Now I am finding myself lingering into more prop based tricks... I've been playing with IT for the last 2 years and wax for just as long... I've been messing with thumb tips for about 5 years... I have the coin-bite coin.

I like tricks where I can use the spectators stuff and manipulate it...

I want tricks that do not "appear" to have any props associated with them...

There are no magic stores within a 5 hour drive of here and so I cannot go and peruse a store...I have to buy online...

What do you think I should purchase?

Welcome to the Cafè banden!
I would suggest you to read through the first three topics here, a lot of great tips on what to buy, and where to buy it. Be sure to browse through different places here at the Cafè, I'm sure you'll find what you are looking for.
Also check material from Dan Harland, Gregory Wilson, Michael Ammar and Jay Sankey.
Jack.

Hey there mr JD!!

Thanks for the response.

I have actually spent quite a bit of time here allready looking for a few tricks that suit my 'style.' The first three posts in this thread are excellent but they don't really help me with my situations...

I am just hoping to rest on some experiences of bad purchases and maybe get a recomendation on 2 or 3 good props that can help my little routine... or take away from the repetitiveness of it.

I would like a gimmick:

-that lets me take spectator's objects to use
-is quick or non resettable
-good for close up
-not IT, thumb tip, biting quarter, wax

Like for instance... I bought the pen through bill trick... but rarely use it cause it is a special pen... or I have some trick decks... but never really get to use them because I am allways using the deck of cards that we've just been playing euchre with... etc.

I love this site and plan to stick around a while too... just need some good advice on my next purchase(s).

Reckless A. Banden

VOX BOX! It kicks butt!

Take the cards out of the case, do a card trick, etc.

Borrow a ring, vanish it, and with an empty hand pick up the card case and shake it... you can hear the ring rattling back and forth. Dump out the ring; it is theirs!

Floating dollar bill
one of the best effects ever (in my opinion) and no reset
ps can be used for more than one effect

Banden,

I know you said no TT, but what about a nail writer? Opens up a ton of excellent mentalism tricks.

You may want to take a look at some coin effects. Several good coin tricks on the market. Scotch & Soda, Hoping Half, etc. People view coins as everyday objects and many of the effects you end up clean and can then pass them out. (Almost as good as borrowing the item.) Also check out the books & videos that explain tricks with everyday objects.

Tom Boleware

How about some magic with nothing but the spare change in your pocket. Get a Book by Bobo, a Video by Roth, Stone, or Ammar and you will have plenty to work on for the forseeable future.

Hey thanks alot... that's the kinda stuff I've been looking for...

I have a few good coin tricks... I know about three different palms, and I have been able to use them a fair amount...

Also because I live in canada... getting prop coins that I can switch into a performance are tough to find.

I would really like a butter coin... not certain how it works...

THe only floating dollar I know uses IT... (which I have and use) is there another???

I think I'll try the Vox Box, and the nail writer... both sound fun.

THanks again.

Hahaha. Reckless A. Banden. Funny.

Anyway, I'd say Scotch and Soda is a great one to do. Also, before you start buying lots of gimmicks with reckless abandon (no pun intended), make sure you can properly perform the stuff you already have. And make sure to learn some stuff that does not involve gimmicks. You ought to be able to do some card or coin tricks on the spot when you don't have your props.

Time to purchase the Martin Gardner books on Impromtu Magic!!!

Tomasko

Michael Ammar is a good teacher.His videos are great.

Hpw about greg wilsons "on the spot" I'm buying it tomorrow and allthough ive not actually watched it yet its meant to be very good
ollie

Banden,
A very good book is the Amatuer Magician's Hanbook by Henry Hays; You can still find it at http://www.gamblersgeneralstore.com for a meager $13.95 (hardbound edition, the one to have! Do not buy the paperback edition the photo reproductions are horrible!) The book has loads of information for someone just starting out and will also make for good referencing in the future; Don't let the title fool you, this book is a real treasure; take care &
Aloha,
BWind

If you like to work with your spectators stuff, I´d recommend Richard Osterlind. I like card magic, I really don´t know why I bought his set, but it´s worth every penny, and I think that you would really enjoy it. Hope this helps.

Banden,
For stuff borrowed from spectators, you might want to try my No-gimmick Scotch and Soda or my No-Gimmick Hopping Halves, both of which were in my Showtime column in the Linking Ring magazine.
Just e-mail me and I'll be happy to send them to you -- or to anyone else who is interested.
No shells, no locking coins, no gimmicks at all; and a story line that you can change to fit the coins (anywhere in the world, although it was written for use here in Canada.)

Two words... The Raven.

Hi Banden,

Have you visited http://magic.about.com ? It has an excellent guide on buying magic tricks.

I would also like to second Tomasko's recommendation of Martin Gardner's Encylopedia of Impromtu Magic.

Again, if you don't have Henry Hay's Amateur Magician's handbook, that is a must too.

Once you get into magic more and can do semi-complex sleight of hand, I would strongly reccommend the Art of Astonishment set by Paul Harris. It contains everything from gimmicks to non-gimmicked effects, cards to coins, to milkshakes and peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches. The set is a bit expensive, but well worth it.

I hate to suggest this again but learn CMH..Crazy Mans Handcuffs..with a couple of rubber bands this trick always slays 'em.

Howard