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Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
I am looking to add a Topit to my sport jacket for close up, strolling and parlor.
I am an extra large framed person 6' tall and 330lbs (mostly belly like a pregnant woman) I have played a little with the original Ammar Topit in a denim jacket (doing strolling but feel it would need to be enlarged a bit for me to really get a lot out of it) I also own TKO 2.0 in black and white and can use them fine in a tucked or untucked button down shirt (they just don't do everything a traditional Topit does. Although they do have a place and work well even with my xlg frame. My question is really posed to people who are (A) a little larger than normal and (B) have used more than one type / brand name Topit. Some I am considering are: The Ammar pattern with the Newer Topit book (possibly enlarging the pattern) Topit A Go-Go http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=218 21st century Toppit by David Penn http://www.worldmagicshop.com/21st-centu......id-penn/ Topit Revolution https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic/......olution/ And any others you may know of that are "full size" Toppit (unlike TKO 2.0 which I already own and use for other reasons) What I am ideally looking for are people who have tried more than one and can give a nice pro/con Apple/Orange comparison. Open discussion is fine as others may also have these same issues / questions but if you feel you would rather PM me then by all means do so. It seems every one comes in at the $50 to $150 range with patterns and book/DVD Some are pre made, some you need to have your trailer make for you then install at even more of a cost. I will be putting mine in one sport jacket and no need to transfer but would also be interested (for completeness of the overall inquiry) how hard switching is where and when it is an option. Thanks in advance for any / all input. I felt this would probably be the best forum for magicians who may have used them in the conditions I require and I know there are many very knowledgeable people who frequent this forum. Again thanks. I really hope I can narrow down to possibly 2 to make a final decision. I may also add from time to time if it comes up as a pro/con that I may already have beaten (such as "I already own a Secret Servante" by Sean Goodman so "coin holdout/ reproduction" isn't a game changer in the Topit I shall leave the rest to you guys
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I am 6'4 and 275. I will tell you that the best thing you can do is forget patterns, forget it all. Figure what you want to do and explain it to a tailor.
Then don't fall into the trap so many do with thinking since you have it you might as well use it. Use it sparingly.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 10, 2016, Dannydoyle wrote: I kind of think whichever I go with, I will be "customizing for my size" Quote:
On Jul 10, 2016, Dannydoyle wrote: I also agree 100% with this. I see a lot you "Can do" with one but there is not a ton of stuff "I want to do" with it. There is however enough I want to do to justify the cost and work involved.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
bigfoot Special user 502 Posts |
I may be mistaken but the Reverse Topit by Jean Pierre Cripson seemed to be set up for that type of build.
I do believe he is or was built that way in the companion video. I tried to use the idea and found it did not work for me Because I could not cover the part that gets tucked in. The one thing I have found about a topit is that everyone I have ever bought says its a revolution in the topit world but never is. The one that has worked for me is my own design but it is a rovolutionary new topit system and is only $199.99. just kidding. Trying to figure out what you need and making it work for you would probably be best at least that is my experience. _ |
Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
I purchased Ammar's book back in the 80's when it first came out and did use the topit for a couple of years... basically until I "outgrew" my jacket... the more weight you put on, the farther apart the front hangs open. You'll want to put it in a jacket that fits you properly. I currently have lost about a hundred pounds and my jacket (the smallest I have) is large enough that it doesn't allow the jacket to open as it should.
I saw Michael last night at a lecture and bought the DVD version of his book. Looking through it today I realized that the topit size in the new book is slightly smaller. I'm not sure that your size would have much to do with the topit size... probably would depend more on what you were going to use it for. It's more about how it lays under the coat and how well you can adjust to where it is in the coat when you throw something in there. Just my 2 cents. |
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
I also ended up buying the new book and pattern direct from Michael's site. I made a few tweaks to the pattern and used pins to position it in several layouts until I got the one that worked best with me. It is installed now and working out fine when I use it. ( I made the flap a little different so I can fold it inside the topit itself and stay there when not in use without getting in my way).
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
magicalmilton Regular user London/Mallorca 172 Posts |
Cellini had an interesting Topit idea that he explains in his international magic lecture. Never played with it myself, and he wasn't a big build, but the principle should work regardless.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Years ago, I decided that "TOPIT" was an acronym for "Throw Objects Past Idiot's Tummy".
I used one for a long, long time. I began with Ammar's original pattern, but learned to modify the design for my own body size and needs. Knowing how to sew made this task easier. The only time I went to a tailor was when I had a jacket with a unique lining. I followed Ammar's recommendation of having the sleeve lining replaced and salvaging that fabric to make the Topit. ...And then I started to gain weight... too much weight, in fact. At first, I tried to make new Topits to better fit the new jackets I was needing to buy. But, this was not the problem that needed addressing. What became more of an issue was that the angle of trajectory had to change in order to hit the opening. I simply had too much belly blocking the best path needed to hit the opening. Instead of throwing laterally, I found myself having to angle the throw sharply toward the back... more toward me than across me. This of course, made the moves unnatural. So, I eventually decided that the Topit was no longer a useful tool. Because there were only a couple things that I consistently used the Topit for, I figured it was smarter to stop using it. Reinventing myself is nothing new to me, so I just moved on. But of course, everyone's build is different. My gut went forward more than my torso went wide (although it did that, too). If you find a fix that works, then by all means, do that. In my case, the only true solution would be to lose weight and tighten up the abs. After years of being overweight, I am on a path of losing weight, but due to a variety of abdominal surgeries, getting even a partial six-pack is probably never going to happen. As Popeye would say, "I yam what I yam." Whether I ever decide to use a Topit again... only time will tell.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
mixman Loyal user Northern Colorado 294 Posts |
I have exactly the same issue as Michael does and have come to the same conclusion. 30 years ago, the topit was an integral part of my close up arsenal. but now, 30 years and 30 pounds later, my body type makes it nearly impossible to use correctly. I guess it is time to hit the gym.
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MJ Marrs Inner circle Los Angeles 1124 Posts |
The Ammar topit rocks! Although I was lucky enough to take a seminar with Jay Scott Berry. His wife did excellent seamstress/tailoring work installing the JSB topit. Both sides. I don't know if they still offer the service but it's worth looking into.
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