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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts 
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Anyone use anything other than the standard lengths for this trick? I feel that for a 6' tall person on stage the standard 9 27 47 is a little small when doubled.
I'm going to try 12, 36 and 63 and see what result I get. If anyone has some lengths they use with good results I'd love to hear. Thank you! |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5563 Posts
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Stretch a length of rope between your two outstretched arms and that's the long length (shorten to preference if you find it a td too long). Double in half and that is the length of the middle size rope. The short length can be almost any length. I tend to use a length that is around 9-inches long. It's easy for me to handle and is clearly/visibly "short" when displayed as the short length.
I always start with the long length and go from there. Given that you are 72 inches hand to hand, I'd say that 63" will be great in your hands. I'd probably cut the 12" short piece by a couple of inches, say to about 10-is. Use the thickest rope you can find. BCT 4 from the Baronian Trading Company would (is) my choice. See it at: https://www.baroniantrading.com/shop I have no financial interest in the company, I'm just a very happy customer.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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SSG New user 74 Posts
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I halfway agree with Harry. I make the long rope the length of my outstretched arms. The short rope is the length from the tip of my thumb to the tip of my little finger (one hand, haha.)
I loop those ropes together and cut the middle rope to match that length. |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts
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Awesome! Thank you for the tips. I'll be making these tonight.
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5563 Posts
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SSG is spot on regarding making the middle size rope. I left out a step (adding the small loop to the folded large rope). Duh me. I think faster than I type!!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3877 Posts
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If you leave a little fraying and sew through the rope just a few times, just behind that with matching thread, it stops the fraying but looks like just some cut pieces of rope.
You can still wash your ropes if you DON'T use wood glue. - Mary |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts
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Thanks Mary!
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smithart Special user Texas 834 Posts
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Quote:
On Aug 11, 2025, Mary Mowder wrote: Thanks, Mary. I really like this idea!
AKA Professor Memento
https://mementomysteries.com |
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smithart Special user Texas 834 Posts
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Quote:
On Aug 11, 2025, SSG wrote: I actually have three different sets that I use in different situations. I need to pull them out and measure them.
AKA Professor Memento
https://mementomysteries.com |
funsway Eternal Order old things in new ways - new things in old ways 10301 Posts
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Quote:
On Aug 11, 2025, Levi Bennett wrote: you can use any lengths in a 1,2,3 or 1,3,5 ratio In some routines I prefer to cut a long rope "on the fly." For this you can use pre-marked dots, or there is a technique for looping the loops so that single cut works. So, the "best length" may be based on factors other than your height.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3877 Posts
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It's also about how stiff and thick the rope is. For maximum visibility, clarity, and ease of handling, you want the rope to stand up in display, rather than drooping down onto your hand. Test the rope and see how much of the rope will stand before it starts to droop and take that into account in your total measuring.
I know it complicates it, but it is important. - Mary |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts
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Thanks again! This is some great information. I'm heeding all this advice and putting it to use. I like my new set of ropes much more than the previous ones.
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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts
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I performed this last night for about 150 people. Such a great trick!
Thanks to your instructions it was very visible from the stage, lots of laughs and wide eyes from kids and adults. The three count sells it so well. I love it. I have the WGM Professor's Nightmare video and I like Michael Finney's take on the trick in general. He says that he thinks a lot of pros overlook the professor's nightmare as they advance in magic and leave it behind as a kids, or beginners, trick. But he thinks it's a great trick that laymen enjoy. I have to agree. It went over fantastic last night. |
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3877 Posts
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Congratulations, Levi.
Go forth and enjoy. - Mary Mowder |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts
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Thank you Mary!
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wally Inner circle 1880 Posts
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Nick Lewin seems to use a Flat rope in his dvd , Does anyone use a Flat white rope,
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Levi Bennett Inner circle Arizona 2107 Posts
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I use round rope. Some like the flat for visibility, but I had no issues with visibility doing it in a school basketball gym. People could easily see the ropes from 50 feet away.
I've never heard of anyone preferring flat rope due to any difference in the handling, but maybe there are those that do. To each their own I guess. |
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Knots and loops » » Professor's Nightmare Rope Lengths (11 Likes) | |
Posted: Aug 11, 2025 01:35 pm 
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