Well, I have to agree that Lynetta's Egg Bag is the best. I do however feel that black is best for the color for some obvious and less obvious reasons.

Johnny Thompson uses a red bag in his act. I have the video, it looks great and no 'tell'. Years ago, egg bags came out in red. Then Tarbell, Mardo, Sterling, and Berland came out with the plaid material design.

It was not until the Malini Egg Bag that it became Black in Color.

Johnny Thompson used a red bag in his Tomsoni & Co. staqe act which is red just for visibility...when he does the Egg Bag routine he uses a black bag.

When I saw Marko (learnedpigproject) from Panama doing the eggbag (tarbell), he did it with a square pattern bag. I followed him and did the same... I didn't know the color whas a big deal... I actually thought the patter thing was a right thing to do because of the design of the bag so that you can show it inside out without worring about it...

Just to be clear ddeckmann, I was only referring to the "Malini style" egg bag.
Of course the Tarbell and Senior Mardo require a pattern because of their design.

Wm, actually Max Malini (1873-1942) predated Johnny Thompson and used a black bag. Lynetta Welch's "Legacy Egg Bag" has 3 names attached to it Max Malini, Charlie Miller, and Johnny Thompson. This was the historical progression of the bag.

Here are the reasons I feel black is the better choice for color or shade for the Malini Egg Bag.

1. Black makes the bag appear smaller which is important because you are producing and vanishing a small item in a much larger container.

2. Black better hides the folds that might give the "tell"

3. This one is more opinion than a rule: The bag should not be the focus of attention. It should be more about the vanish and/or appearance of the egg under "test conditions".

But FORTUNATELY for those who disagree, Lynetta makes the bag in Burgundy (red), can custom make a bag for size (in case it matters) and also makes a Tarbell style bag. Her workmanship is incomparable.

Ricky,
I'm sorry you've had the problem with the bag. I'm curious. . did you study my instructions thoroughly?
It's free now. . online at: http://www.HobsonEggBag.com Over 1 hour of detailed instruction.
I go into detail how, when using my egg bag, it's not necessary to do many of the traditional "slapping" and wringing moves that magicians of the past have used on other bags. Quite the opposite. You will see by my instructions, that the mystery comes from a much simpler, easier handling. My theory is not to run when you're not being chased. Please look again at the instructions on handling my bag and I believe you may find that you've been a bit rougher on the bag than you need to. I've been using the very same bag for years now and it's never come apart. I did have, two of my bags returned to me because of a flaw where the bottom seam was sewn a little to thin and it came apart right at the seam. That was a obvious flaw in manufacturing. If you think you have that same type of flaw that made your bag come apart, I will gladly replace it at no charge to you as I did with the other two bags. So far, I have sold 1,100 Hobson Egg Bags and only two returns. I will always stand behind my products. My product email is: hobsonschoice@mac.com

Jeff Hobson

1,100 bags... Jeff me bucko... you can retire!

Just a quick clarification for those who might not want to go through my entire online instructions at http://www.HobsonEggBag.com

Concerning the discussion about using black as the color of choice for bags....

Yes, when using the Malini-style bag, black is the only color that should be used for the INSIDE of the bag.
If you're having someone from the audience hold the bag by themselves, and you want them to look inside of the bag, black is the only color that effectively hides the pocket, and thus, the egg.

However, any experienced stage performer will tell you that a black prop, especially an egg bag, is the absolute worst color you can use. Why? Because it will disappear into the background unless, of course, you are wearing a bright, solid-colored costume. And then, you'll have to be conscious to hold it constantly in front your costume. Sure, for close-up situations, black, inside and out, would be fine.
But I will assure you that with an audience of 100 or more, they will be taking only your word for what is happening since the bag cannot be clearly seen. This goes for any dark colors on stage. In addition, how often do we, as performers, have perfect lighting to work to? And how often do we get to choose our backdrops to perform in front of? The answer is: rarely ever. I found my egg to work in the vast majority of venues anywhere and under any conditions. That's what being a professional performer is all about. Making your act work anywhere, anytime. Let's all remember that magic is predominantly a visual art. For the magic to happen. . . it has to be seen CLEARLY. This is a elementary detail that many magicians, and even professionals today, seem to miss.

That is why I've chosen bright red as the outside color and black for the inside of my bag. Yes, if you're one of the few that where's a bright red jacket on stage, then my bag will not work for you. To be honest, I've only had one request for a colored bag besides red. Unless I have many requests, it wouldn't be possible to manufacture.

So, this double colored bag allows for a great advantage. One, it's visual. I've seen videos from the back of the Palladium theater in London as I perform the trick and the bag sticks out from the background greatly.
Two, when you turn the bag inside out. . . . . the audience can tell that you do so! With a solid color bag. . . an audience can't tell if you're really doing what you say you are.

Some magicians (very few actually) have asked if the double color could denote that there's a double layer of cloth and thus, have a secret pocket. I will give you my opinion on this;
1/ After more than 10,000 performances of my egg bag, I have never had even one layperson ever mention this at all.
2/ Even if I thought that I might have one person, every now and then, think that might be a possibility, I would still use the two-tone bag because the advantages greatly outweigh the minor theory of a double walled bag.
3/ In my opinion, this is "magician-thinking", i.e., laymen rarely, if ever, would think in this manner.
4/ If you're presentation is good enough, the audience wouldn't have the opportunity to dig that deep into methodology.

Just my opinion, albeit, an experience one.
Jeff



Yes, hit the 1,100 mark this month. I'm amazed as well.
Retire? No. But my wife can! She's the "Martha Stewart" of Las Vegas and has
made every bag herself with no help. Oh yeah, and she raises 3 children as
best as any Mom I know. She's the REAL magician in the family!
~jh

Posted: Apr 14, 2010 1:25pm
Sorry to chime in AGAIN. . . but while it's on my mind. . .

For those who say that my bag is too expensive. . .

I've now discontinued the $149 "package" and now sell my Hobson Egg Bag and Ultimate Eggs
separately. $84.95 for the Hobson Egg Bag and $15.00 for a set of two Ultimate Eggs.

Thanks!
~jh

You are lucky guy with a great wife.

The hot tip is to invent a trick to sell cheap, like color computer printers or razor blade handles... AND MAKE A FORTUNE SELLING REFILLS.

Hmmmmmm. Rope, Playing Cards, Flash Paper, Mouth Coils. . . . .
YES!

~jh

Posted: Apr 14, 2010 1:54pm
Sorry to chime in AGAIN. . . but while it's on my mind. . .

For those who say that my bag is too expensive. . .

I've now discontinued the $149 "package" and now sell my Hobson Egg Bag and Ultimate Eggs
separately. $84.95 for the Hobson Egg Bag and $15.00 for a set of two Ultimate Eggs.

Thanks!
~jh

The best bag is the one that you take the time to properly learn how to use and develop a routine for.

Jay Marshall was great with his Tarbell style that matched his coat. John Thompson is super with his routine. And Hobson.....well what can I say, he made it his own and it works.

I like a red car but you may like a blue one. I think Jeff's and Lynetta's are both fine bags. Martin Lewis sells a good Senior Mardo style.

So choose your bag and learn how to use it.

Richard

Right on. I've even used an ungimmicked paper bag.

I use this version:

http://www.bazardemagia.com/home.php?p=p......egoria=0

It's very similar to the one sold by Ken Brooke (but ditch the wooden egg)! and Brookie's routine works a dream with it.

It's cheap as chips yet the production quality is EGGSCELLENT!

My father made his own egg bag.
he can sew like you wouldn't believe...

I was told he does his routine in homage
to Dante.

I'll have to post video someday...

Is there anywhere here an actual description of the various types of bags and their differences?

I had an Adams bag for years and never liked it.

A few years back, I bought a bag from Tannen's. It felt much better (I won't go into a detailed description as this is not a "safe" forum.)

Oddly enough, the description in the Tannen catalog mentioned that you need two eggs and a Devil's Hank to do the routine. When I got the bag, it came with a standard routine, but no mention of "two" eggs or using a Devil's Hank. (which I bought the same time as the bag). Making a trip to Tannen's, I asked the clerk there what the description was alluding to and he had no idea! A few years later, my daughter found Vols I and II of the Tarbell course and sure enough, there was the egg bag routine, devil's hank and all! Sad the guy didn't know that.

First off thank you all for giving your opinions and knowledge of the subject. Although, as Rhodes said, I was kinda hoping for the different bag types and there pros and cons about them, not just a discussion about a single bag( hobson's) or how expensive they are. Could we mabe try to get back to my question, thanks everybody.
ps. No disrespect to any of you, I have the highest regards for every single one of you and would be happy to achieve half of all of your skill and professionalism by the end of my career.

Respectfully
Eli

You can't argue with Jeff Hobsons's experience and his routine is great! Although I don't own his egg bag, I have seen and touched one and you can't can't go wrong if the style suits you.

As Richard Hughes said, it's the bag you're going to use that's the best bag for you. All of the folks "hawking" bags here make quality stuff.

I prefer the solid black Malini bag for my own reasons some previously stated, but the thing that Jeff sees as a draw back (not being able to tell the inside from the outside) is something I see and use to advantage in my routine.

Frank Starsini does also make a very nice "Malini" bag with certain advantages as well.

Much will depend on personal taste and comfort. When I first bought Lynetta's bag I was disappointed (I was used to handling the Danny Tong "Malini" Egg Bag). As I learned to handle Lynetta's bag, I became comfortable and recognized its strengths and realized that it wasn't a problem with the bag, but it was my own lack of knowledge. I suppose you can say that about most of the bags on the market. Find one you like and build an entertaining magical routine!

Thanks Mr Carlo!

John Novak wrote a book, now out of print, that compares the types (not manufacturers) of egg bags.

I think the best way to judge the direction that you want to take with a routine is to look at the routines of others, and the bags that they used.

Wayne Dobson and a Malini bag: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RouUn8jDs2k&feature=related

Martin Lewis with a Mardo bag: http://www.magikraft.com/video_catalog/t......gbag.htm

Jeff Hobson has some great instruction on his egg bag site: http://www.hobsoneggbag.com/

The Egg Bag DVD is another great resource and is produced by Stevens Magic Emporium.

Interesting that no one so far has talked about the Hen Bag.
I remember that so clearly from childhood. Those I see for sale today look cheesy though. Is anyone using them?