Hello Everyone!

I am a bran-spanking new beginner in rope magic.. don't even know how to do a simple cut and restore rope.

I started practicing rope magic 3 days ago just one hour every day and have already learned the one handed knot (Mark Wilson's book) and the one where you tie a rope into a shoe lace shape then pass the ends through the loops and when pulled you get a knot that you can make dissappear which I learned from Doug Conn's YouTube channel..

I have a modest collection of DVDs on Rope Magic, including all 3 DVD's from Daryl on Ropes but I prefer books as they are easier to follow the steps through illustrations..

I've been falling in love with rope magic and really want to learn more.

Right now I'm practicing the rope thru neck trick but I'm having a little trouble following the steps and found that I am able to learn better through pictures in books after seeing the trick performed.

Right now I'm using "The Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic" to learn rope magic and found it super helpful having all them illustrations..

My question is what is your favorite Book or books in rope magic to learn from and why?

I understand I need to start with the basics but I also want to know what are your favorite books on Rope Magic even if they are advanced as I will one day get there.

I'm open to all advice on books especially the fully illustrated ones.. whether beginner, intermediate or advanced..

Thanks in advance!

There are so many great videos on rope magic (Daryl's work, Fibre Optics by Richard Sanders, Flip's Truly Magical Rope Magic) but since you asked for book recommendations , I really like Stewart James' Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks , edited by Gabe Fajuri (Squash Publishing, 2005), Hardbound,456 pages, with over 1500 illustrations. With an introduction by Mac King.

It's out of print, but you can still find copies on eBay and elsewhere.

Keep in mind this 2005 edition is an expanded edition to the earlier Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks for Magicians compiled by Stewart James, published by Abbott's Magic Co., which in turn was reprinted by Dover Publications. I believe the Dover version is still in print. Much of the material in the two editions is the same, but the 2005 edition published by Squash Publishing has additional material that is not found in the Dover reprint of Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks for Magicians.

Another good one is Self-Working Rope Magic by Karl Fulves , published by Dover Publications.

Wow, over 1500 illustrations..!
This sounds like exactly what I've been looking for..

Thanks so much for sharing this info. I'll for sure be looking for this book.

Have a good one!

Well David..

I looked in ebay and found a copy at a great price. That 2005 edition is much more expensive than the Dover one but I was able to find one at a reasonable price and in great condition!..

Thanks again!

I'd suggest DVDs or videos, George Sands, Flip, Daryl, Aldo Colombini, and Dennis Loomis.

It is so much easier to see what to do.

Maybe being dyslexic makes books harder for me but reading rope tricks was a brick wall for me.

- Mary Mowder

Self Working Rope Magic by Karl Fulves is decent and can be had rather inexpensively. I second getting videos of rope magic though because it does make it easier to see how the rope is being looped, twisted, etc. The three volume set by Daryl called Expert Rope Magic Made Easy provides individual bits which can be strung along into a larger routine. Daryl is great at teaching. His instruction is clear. Volume 3 teaches his rope routine which gives you a solid ten minute routine that can be performed for one person close up or 10,000 people on stage.

The encyclopedia of rope magic is quite old fashioned (there's not a lot of stuff that uses the extra short piece - I can't remember who is generally credited with that) but it does contain a wealth of more or less forgotten effects waiting to be discovered (or even, if you are that way inclined, pimped up, and sold as "new")

George Sands was the name I was thinking of

Here is another great resource: The Award Winning Rope Magic Of Francis Tabary.

This book is 263 pages and filled with hundreds of illustrations!
There is also a 2 DVD set available as well.

Best of luck

Mark

A BIG thank you to all you young men and young ladies for all your great advice!

I received today my book of encyclopedia of rope tricks 2005 the expanded and revised edition and gotta say it's my favorite Book so far.. it has way more illustrations than the paper back from Dover. That was exactly what I was looking for.. well worth the money!

I also took your advice and started watching DVD'S, and together with books, it's been much easier for me to follow.

I also ordered a VHS on Shigeo Takagi on Ropes and can't wait to learn his routine.. I know it's more advanced but after watching a YouTube clip, I think it will be well worth it..

And yep! I still own a VHS player in 2025 LOL!


Thanks again and I'll also look into your other books and DVD's recommended.!

God bless!

A book call (Give a magician enough rope).
It's a collectors item, but you can still get on Ebay.
Tricky Ricky

yup! Start - then branch out when you have mastered these effects.

The key will be in developing audience engagement skills with proven miracles and simple props.

C&R Rope was one of first tricks I learned as a kid, and still perform to this day. Ropes are great as they play big, or small. Very versatile.

I can't add to resources already mentioned, but would throw an idea out there...see if there are any magic clubs in your area (IBM, SAM, or a local group). I've found that it helps to have somebody teach your, or share ideas with, regarding ropes. Lots of little details not in the books or videos. I use a disappearing knot from Daryl, but three's a certain point you have to tighten the knot so it doesn't fall apart. Only learned thru lots of practice...not in any books.

So recommend finding somebody to practice and share with...

Tabary’s rope magic is probably the best for modern rope magic. George Sands pioneering (and excellent)routine is available as a download from lybrary.com for 8 bucks, while my personal favorite, pop Haydn’s Mongolian pop knot is available from his website pops magic for just five bucks. Both of these last are slender pamphlets, but, between them, they have most of the good stuff. For video, go with either fiber optics by Richard Sanders, or the Tabary videos