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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Phantom Tube by 7 MAGIC
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S28818 I know that these types of props are not as popular as they once were now that close up magic, street magic and mentalism is all the rage. But when I was a kid starting out in magic we all lusted over props like this. Even though times change I’m sure there are still a lot of kids performers and many stage and parlor magicians out there so I thought I’d share this for whomever might be interested. Okay, for the 2 of you still reading this (well, maybe 4 since so many of us are cooped up right now with little else to do)... Back when I was a kid magician I first remember seeing Johnny Thompson perform as The Great Tomsoni using this type of prop. I fell in love with it but unfortunately even with saving all my allowance and paper route money there was no way I could ever afford one. By the time I became an adult with a bit more income available the prop was no longer being made and became very difficult to find. Although this one is called a Phantom tube, technically a Phantom Tube is solid and not hinged to open lengthwise. The hinged tubes are called Genie Tubes and are much more deceptive IMO and are traditionally round metal tubes which are chrome or nickel plated. The shininess of the metal adds to the deceptiveness. Sometimes you can find square wooden Genie Tubes but these are not nearly as deceptive IMO and I’ve never had any interest in that style. It’s also more deceptive when the tube is longer and narrower rather than short and squat and fortunately this new tube has all of the desired features. Since I’ve always wanted to own one I continued to keep an eye out for one over the years. A few years ago Abbott’s listed a used one for sale for $100 and I placed my order immediately but I was too late and missed out on it. I did eventually find a very nice German model that I spent over $300 on. So when I saw this item advertised recently I purchased one mainly out of curiosity to judge its quality. I must admit I was surprised by the high quality for such a low price of $35. The sheet metal isn’t as heavy gauge as my German tube but being it is much lighter that is actually kind of an advantage. This new tube also has no latch or friction catch to keep it closed which they typically do, but since a latch isn’t really necessary, again that is actually an advantage. Overall, for the price it is an absolute steal IMO. So if you need to produce silks, flowers, or similar items (and really, don’t we all at one time or another) this is definitely one of the most deceptive and fooling self-contained props you can find to do that with no skill required. Yet still small enough to take up little space in your case. Looks good on your display shelf too! For those lovers of good old-fashioned metal props I doubt you will disappointed with this latest model of a classic but not often seen prop. And I doubt you’ll ever find a better price! |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
If you flip the tube over to "show it empty from both ends" as I do, you'll need to add a latch to keep it from flying open. A strip of Velcro fuzzy side out works well as both a decoration for the outside of the tube, and with a small end of the hooky Velcro, you've got a firm latch. Magnets can also be used, but are a little more "iffy" when flinging the tube around to show it empty.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Jim, you could easily add Velcro although the tube actually stays closed by itself pretty well depending on how rough you are with your flipping.
But I actually prefer not to have specs see through the tube as this style is not really intended to be shown that way and so they aren’t particularly deceptive when viewed in that manner, although a quick flash is fine. Plus, there is absolutely no need to show it that way as opening it up shows it completely empty about as fairly and cleanly as you possibly can. I like to hold the tube up as if for them to have a look through it but then quickly open it. Because let’s face it, it’s never very easy for an entire audience to see through a narrow tube so opening it just makes more sense anyway. |
PCoreyB Regular user 139 Posts |
In the demo video, the first blue flower he produced from the tube...does anyone know where to get those? I've been looking for a quality genie tube but those flowers caught my eye too!
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