[ Register ]  [ F.A.Q. ] [ Magic Café Donations ] Username: Password:        [ Lost Password ]   [ Forgot Username ]

About Posting: Only Registered users can post new topics and replies in this forum Username: Password: I forgot my password! Message: Click Here to review the topic. [quote] On 2012-05-10 18:59, shellgame-al wrote: JC, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Bottom Ridge & True Walnut Shells Here are some of my explanations to some of your thoughts. Bottom Ridge Shells JC's-post: If you work in parlour settings, there is a possibility that skeptical audience members may think the pea is somehow hidden in the bottom ridge. While, it is not possible to actually hide a pea from sight in the bottom ridge, performing magicians will know this will not stop some spectators from suspecting that fact. Al's- reply: This is all taken out of the spectators thoughts from the magician showing the shells that this cannot happen with the displaying of the shells. The spectators suspecting the wrong way on how something is done can be a good thing, when it proves out wrong. That is our job to keep them guessing on how it is done. I have worked with the ridge shells for years and have not found it being a problem for the spectator at all, because it proves out to look like a fair game and they can now actually believe they have a chance to win. In gambling the no touch rules apply without question, but in magic it does not apply the same. In magic to me any trick displayed with the spectator involved it is always stronger and more fun for the spectator. Even with the gambling theme this is a advantage as now there is nothing to hide. True Walnut Shells JC's post: Appearance-wise, I should mention the sides and bottom edges of the shells are thicker than most shells and real shells. They are about 6mm thick. Some might feel that this looks too thick and is unnatural but I personally think it is not an issue and know the thickness gives strength and sturdiness of the shell. Al's reply: Yes, the selecting of the proper walnut shell is the most important factor, as they come in many shapes and sizes. The reason they are called “True Walnut Shells “is because they are that. The thickness of the wall is not thicker than a real walnut shell because it was molded from a real walnut shell without any added putty. The inside of the shell is all natural and just smoothed out some. This type of real walnut shell flares out at the bottom giving a thicker wall for more strength and this is after the thin ridge has been scraped off that holds the nut in place. If you look on http://www.3shells.com on page compared shells, you will see a real walnut shell next to the true walnut shell and you will see that the wall is like a real walnut shell. This is the same case with the bottom ridge shells; a lot of that ridge is the wall thickness. The ridge its self is not that much if you look inside of the shell. Most the shells today do not have a wall edge, it is all putty filled tapered to the edge of the shell. This putty filled taper does not help. It just cuts down the head space that limits the pea to roll freely and the pea puts head pressure on the shell that lifts the shell before it comes to the edge to come out. Head space in a shell to me is one of biggest factors in a shell design. This is why the cheap Vernet shells work so well, they have lots of head space without the long add taper to the edge of shell. If they had a thicker wall with that head space they would be great working shells. I looked for a real walnut shell with a strong wall and good head space to make my molds from. I did not have to reinforce the inside with putty so I didn’t take away any needed head space. If anyone thinks they’re different, they are comparing it to putty filled shells not a real walnut shell. JC's post: The True Walnut Shells are more expensive than most similar sized resin shells. In fact, they match the La Maggiore Shells in price though the shells are smaller. But I think it is a worthwhile investment and I recommend the True Walnut shells over any other shells (of its type/ size) currently on the market. Al's reply: The pricing of our shells compared to others are very fair once you compare the quality. It is not the material cost that is the biggest factor; it is the design, on how they are made and labor cost for a better quality shell. Thanks again, JC for sharing your thoughts on the shells Shellgame-Al [/quote] [HTML is Off] [BBcode is On] Options: Disable BBcode on this Post Disable Smilies on this Post

[ Top of Page ]

All content & postings Copyright © 2001- 2013 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.080110 seconds, requiring 7 database queries.

The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café
are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic.

Privacy Statement