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Bill Thompson Elite user Mississippi 422 Posts |
Preface:
My daughter gave me Shoot Ogawa's Ninja Ring DVD for Christmas. I have had an old set of Adams rings since I was kid, but I never have bothered to learn a decent ring routine. Watching Shoot do his thing spurred me into action. I now needed a really nice set like Shoot's. I headed off to the Magic Shop where I found a set of Empire 4" rings for only $9.99. They looked so clean and nice right out of the box, that I went ahead and purchased them. I found the routine could be done just fine with them. The guy at shop and I both surmised that they were probably comparable. After some use I found this not to be the case... Empire Rings (size 4") I thought these looked great and they seemed to work fine with the Ninja routine. They can't take the abuse from repeated crash links, blocked links, and one handed blocked links. After only a few weeks of practice the chrome finish began to chip off and one day the weld in the single ring popped open during a one handed blocked link. I replaced it with the other single ring from the set, but now I am noticing that the weld seem is visible and cracked in it too. Recently I was able to attend a lecture by Shoot and got to see a set of his rings afterwards. I found significant differences between the "offical" set and the Empire rings. Pros: * Inexpensive * Full 8 ring set * No visible welds Cons: * Can't withstand repeated use/abuse. * Chrome finish will chip with use. * Chrome begins to discolor with time. Rating 4 out of 10 Silver Ninja Ring (size 4.5") Pros: * Heaver metal (steel? nickel plated?) * half-inch larger diameter makes routine easier. * Able to withstand the abuse of the routine over time. * Beveled key ring makes routine slightly easier. Cons: * Expensive * Only 4 rings Rating 9 out of 10
"To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment.
Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven." - Chuang Tse |
h_A_Z Special user Ireland/Msia 701 Posts |
IMHO nothing beats the GOLD Ninja Rings... It is so beautiful!
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Muckey Spleen New user 83 Posts |
I'm a fan of the Empire rings myself - but I did cut and bevel the key instead of just pulling it apart. The Ninja Rings are nice, but a little pricey, as you pointed out. I tried a set of the gold ones, but these had a duller finish (at least by the time I tried them,) making them a little less deceptive - especially for "time-delayed" links and unlinks. Their larger size is an advantage over the Empires. I do a six-ring routine that incorporates elements of Ninja Rings with more traditional moves, so the Ninjas won't work for that. And you can't beat a ten-dollar price tag for a set of decent rings without obvious welds. Haven't had a problem with chipping, breaking, or finish wear yet - at that price I'll just replace them when I do.
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Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
The difference between the 2 sets, are Empire Rings have have 1 cut, and then are stretched to make the key ring. This doesn't help as when they nest together, if you actually look, the key ring is bigger. They also don't round off the edges so they can be shape, and if you do a crash link wrong, it can hurt your little finger.
The Ninja Rings have 2 cuts to make them all the same size when nested all together. The edges are also rounded to make it easier for the rings to slip around etc The Ninja Rings are so much better, but beware with the Gold Ninja Rings that the Gold doesn't fade |
h_A_Z Special user Ireland/Msia 701 Posts |
Why beware with the Gold Ninja Rings if the Gold doesn't fade? Isn't that good?
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Bill Thompson Elite user Mississippi 422 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-04-20 14:59, h_A_Z wrote: I understand internet speak... I think he meant beware because the gold finish has been known to fade.
"To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment.
Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven." - Chuang Tse |
Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
Yes, that is what I meant. Reading again, I can see the confusion, but it means what it says. Basically it means make sure the Gold doesn't fade
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Been using the same set of empire rings for two years now, two nights weekly. Not on e chip or scratch. I do my own routine and maybe not a rough as Shoot's but they work great for me.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
tdowell Inner circle 1050 Posts |
There is no comparison here. Ninja rings are far superior. That doesn't prevent you from using the Empire Rings, but they are not the same. You get what you pay for.
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wally Inner circle 1828 Posts |
Looking for a set of Shoots Gold rings.
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PaulGreen Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Hi Wally,
You have been looking for the Gold Ninja Rings for a long time!!!! I have a set in MINT condition. Please contact me via PM. Perhaps we can strike a deal!!! Respectfully, Paul Green |
wally Inner circle 1828 Posts |
I bought the Empire rings, Not watched shoots dvd yet, so not used the rings, I would have prefered a thicker ring for handling.
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wally Inner circle 1828 Posts |
Still looking for a gold set. cheap.
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Neznarf Inner circle NY then AZ now 1840 Posts |
Shoot just sold a new set at his recent lecture here for $90.
"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain."
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wally Inner circle 1828 Posts |
Shoots not replying to e-mails and facebook messages ?? I know he is touring.
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