I would like to know which cigar boxes are good to learn with... I plan on learning to stack and balance.
(brand, plastic, wood, Ultrasuede ends, etc.)

And has any one seen cigar box trick done on fire?

thanks
Chuck

The trick is called the 9 cigar box pyramid. I got mine from Brian Dube, but they are not cheap. I learned to do the trick with cigar store card board boxes, but you have to have a good rapore with the cigar store owned if you want 9 identical boxes. You can do it with the boxes on fire, but you will only be able to do it once per set.

On fire?

I guess you could have a set made of metal and attached a wick. Kind of similar to the way Babache fire balls are made. You would most likely have to have the kevlar gloves that are used with that type of fire ball too.

An alternative is you could make a set of cigar boxes but have them as cages, similar to the fire balls created by Fyrefli. The wicks would then be in the middle. If you have the cage covered with a para-aramid sleeve like the fyreballs are then you could POSSIBLY juggle them minus the gloves.

Obviously this is pure theory and you would need to talk to someone who knows what they're talking about. Maybe you should talk to the guys at Fyrefli -- http://www.fyrefli.com -- yes they're in the UK but when it comes to creating toys you can burn I don't know of anyone better.

The trick is called a "9 box HERRINGBONE stack", although I have seen it done with as many as 11 or 13. (9 is the the most common number used) I have performed over the years in my act going back to 1988. It was a trick made most famous or popular by WC Fields in his live act and also recreated for the movie as The Great McGonigle"The Old Fashioned Way" (using 11)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MZWq14uD-A
(starting at about 2:25)
Regular cigar boxes were what Fields used, but it works much easier using specialty (stacking) boxes sold by Dube. The tape on the edges of the boxes make them slide into position better, but keep them from totally sliding apart. It is not a hugely difficult trick to learn actually, it just takes a little finesse.
Good luck with the Herringbone (because of the pattern that the box creates, looks the herringbone fabric pattern) stack.
PS...
I have seen flaming boxes done before. Nothing is new anymore... really.
AL aka S

Anyone have a video of cigar boxes on fire?

I've tried YouTube and juggling.tv both searches came up dry.

Cheers,

Ros

Thanks guys

CDS
The ability to balance them on your chin is only part of the trick. There is also a technique in getting them up, and getting them down, it's a routine.

I'm looking to start learning about the cigar box juggling (that and hat juggling) I figured if I like it, I might as well start young. Was wondering if anyone could point me to a beginner set, and maybe some introduction books and movies.

MagicMike
I looked around and all I was able to find was http://www.dube.com/ has one DVD, and one book on cigar box juggling.

MagicMike
I looked on ebay and there are about a dozen sets of cigar boxes there for sale.

Howdy!

Ok to through my very quick two cents in here!
I have used EVERY box currently made today.
the Dube Stacking Boxes have been the best!

But currently I use Boxes made by NewJuggler.com
they are lasting well, but I will give a full report at the end of this years tour!
(that will be over 1,000 shows)

As for Fire,
Ray Wold, the human torch, has done a 3 flaming box routine for over 20 years now!
have a tapes of him on Johnny Carson, at the 20th Clown college reunion, and a live Vegas show.
He might have done them in Viva Variety on comedy Central, but I am not sure!

Larry

For learning get the plastic ones and learn the moves!
as you get better get some wood ones!

also you can take Cardboard pencil boxes and go to town!

Larry

Larry
Do you have to stuff the pencil boxes?

I used to use wooden cigar boxes, but switched to the Dube plastic boxes. I find they handle about the same as wood, but are far more durable.

I will soon be releasing a long forgotten prop (I used this routine as a closer for years) that looks like cigar box juggling but is incredibly easier to do. Stay tooned.

I've never seen fire cigar boxes but I've seen fire everything else. Charlie brown is THE guy when it comes to cigar boxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk_i3J3XHtU

Cigar Boxes, were actually brought back into popular eye,
through a Magician!
Felicien Trewey (1848-1920).
one of the pillars of Vaudeville.

An excellent Juggler, as well,
he brought many Chinese Street Magician's tricks,
onto the stage.

He,..and the Chinese,
didn't NOT use Cigar Boxes, however(!).
They used felt blocks.
The same size and shape,
as chalk-board erasers,
used in schools,...
when I was a child. 🙂

Besides stacking, vertically;
the 'big trick',
was 'horizontal' stacking!
Due to the 'grip' of the felt,....
it was,..IS,..
quite a spectacular effect!
First, building the stack,...
adding blocks,
one by one.
(30 to 40 blocks,...)
Then,....'chopping' them off.
Very impressive!

{check out Trewey,...
his Hand Shadows,..
his Chapeauography,....
he was the 'father',..
albeit,
somewhat forgotten,..
of modern stage manipulation,...entertainment.}
gallagher

p.s.: I believe it was Harringer, who first used Cigar Boxes;
as a 'Tramp Juggler',
replacing, the felt blocks.
W. C.,...
then.
'politely' stole Harringer's act,....
nothing 'new' in Show Biz.........