Ok. I want to make a card sword but shorter. I'm thinking about 18" (total length). My plan is to use an 1/4" threaded pipe with a reel at the base. Then, continue to cover the threaded pipe in epoxy putty for a blade. Trim away excess with a sander. I may make the hilt out of epoxy putty as well, or use some copper tubing. I will put an nail or tack at the end of the reel and make a two layer guard where I will put the card which is impaled by the nail or tack. It's a very rough idea but I would really like to make it so I just need some help finalizing my idea.
Thanks
-Matt-

For something that small I would just do the sleight of hand method of loading the card on the knife, similar to Dick Zimmerman card on pointer effect.

Or do the Don Alan card stab in paper bag from his book or DVD. This can be done on stage or close-up.

For your idea, I would get some hobby brass or Steel tubeing and of graduating sizes and sweat solder them on inside the other. Solder a threaded fitting in the end to attach the handle.

Thanks. I don't want to do a sleight of hand method because I really want the card sword style reveal and nothing different. The dagger is solely for the purpose of fitting in my case. Also I like the look of it better because I will be holding the dagger upside down and I will sideswipe the cloud of cards.

The Zimmerman Card Stab does allow for the deck to be placed on the blade of the knife, then thrown up the deck in the air. A stab into the cards falling are struck with the knife, and the card is impeled on the knife.

I remember a few years ago a dagger card sword on the market. Don't know if it is still available.

I found this offering here: http://www.greatscotmagic.com/magicshop/cardsword.html

and this one: http://www.magic.org/store/product_info.php?products_id=4166

and again: http://www.thisismagic.com/html/assassin_card_sword.html says gimmick can be used with any sword.

I really want to make it myself as I am on a low budget and I can make it exactly how I want it. I already have a good reel. The more I think about it, I will probably make it more like 15-16" in total length, so it will be more of a knife. I am a teen magician and I have to take the precaution that a lot of people do not want me swinging a real sword or dagger in their house. A "knife" is a different story. Any other ideas for making a blade? I really don't like working with epoxy putty because it is difficult to sand evenly and we got rid of our lathe.

-Matt-

Posted: Oct 11, 2010 9:14pm
But thank you for your research.

Just buy some sheet metal at the hardware store. Fold it over a wood dowel for the line to run through. Solder or glue the metal together and then cut the shape of the blade. Attache to a handle.

A reel will not work, it is not fast enough. Use the standard cloth covered elastic.

Good luck!

Thanks I'll keep you posted on how well it works.
-Matt-

For several years I made a variation of the Massey Cardagger. It used a spring to shoot the card up the blade from the side of the handle. It workded great. Never had a problem. I used Massey's original method pretty much. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

I'm not familiar with this version... can you elaborate or PM me?

Here's a scan of the ad I used to run in my flyers over 20 years ago for the dagger. It contained a copy of Massey's original ad from The Sphinx Magazine.

A standard reel is too weak but a custom made reel with a much stronger spring will work for this item. Custom items often require components which require fabrication.
MR

The motive power in the Massey Cardagger is a large safety pin bent out to about 90 degrees used as a "flip spring" shooting the card up the blade toward the tip. Theres a tiny "stop" near the backside of the blade near the tip to "catch" the card and keep it from flying off the end of the blade. I made my blades from 1" x .125 aluminum stock. Massey's blade was plastic.

And there was the large "Rambo" knife I made for John Houdi around that same time. It used a reel that Houdi supplied to me. Very fast. I made only two of these. This was a fun project. I think I outlined this one in my book, Tabman Magic.

Never did get the specs on this from you Tabby.
Ray

Looking at the drawing of the Rambo Knife, I see that I designed it using elastic but I think we actually went with the reel.

Ray, if I forgot to draw the Cardagger up for you, I'll get to it soon. Got lots of requests for that drawing.

Can you elaborate on the "flip spring" because I don't understand where it goes in the drawing.
-Matt-

The drawing above is for a Rambo style knife not the Cardagger that uses the "flip spring."

Ok I see...

Here's that picture of a Tabman Carddagger that I promised to post.