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Mb217
Inner circle
V.I.P. ;)
5755 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 9:54am
Boxing was an interesting part of my journey alright, as magic has been and quite a few others things in my life.  I came out of a tough area in NYC and before boxing there was fighting, a lot of fighting, just the way it was. Eventually I found my way out of that part of the ring into a more productive aspect of it that allowed other things in me to develop, like writing and speaking. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was covering heavyweight championship bouts in Las Vegas at the request of Don King. It all eventually led to Ali down the road apiece again and again. And if you were around Ali and this scene, then you were always around interesting people from every walk of life, famous and infamous. If I may digress for a moment...One of the trinkets that do mean a lot to me during those times is an old beat-up, autographed paint brush given to me by a great man and good friend, Sports Artist, LeRoy Neiman. He saw it all and captured every sporting moment of it on canvas' now featured in galleries around the world. Maybe you've seen some of his work. I remember sitting with him at a fight once while he was quickly sketching the now recently late/great, Boxing Historian, Bert Sugar, another good friend from the game and quite a magical guy indeed.
So one time I was traveling with Ali to promote a couple of books and we had lunch together at a table to ourselves. He showed me a trick and then I showed him one and he playfully threatened me with that old Ali snarl he had realistically given to Smokin' Joe Frazier and Big George Foreman in great fights. After some laughs about it and his continuing plea to know, I showed it to him...It was Tenkai Pennies. 
Ali said that the magician Presto from Harlem/NYC had showed him that once and he always wanted to learn it. I remember him fiddling with it all the rest of the day throughout the remainder of the tour. And yeah, magic is a special part of all the special stuff that has been my life, it has always opened a special door for me here and there, this time with The Greatest. Tyson was another champ that was just simply over-the-top amazed by magic and enjoyed it every time I got a chance to share it with him here and there, but that's another champion and another story.
Funny, somehow Lassen, Schoolcraft and many others that are so highly revered just don't cut it much for me. With all due respect, I guess it's just a matter of perspective and where you sit ringside as to any true essence of people. Probably why I can recognize real "Champions" anywhere I go in whatever ring I'm in. It's not just about winning all the time. 
*Check out my latest Crimp Change - REDUX! and other fine magic at www.vinnymarini.com 
"Not much new under the sun I hear but under the moon, well who knows, that just might be a horse of a different color." -Mb
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Atom3339
Inner circle
2180 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 11:19am
Marion, Time for you to publish your autobiography! Thanks for sharing, Man!
TH
Occupy Your Dream
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cablerock
Veteran user
350 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 12:36pm
Thanks for sharing Marion!
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Chessmann
Inner circle
My Dog Has Peed On
2762 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 7:33pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-20 07:03, lukecloughmagic wrote:
That's a great pic, I'd love to see a comparison of the TTT and 3CM next to each other, from what I've heard the 3CM looks more like one coin when nested?
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I have owned both and do not concur with this. I kept the Triple Threat.
At the end of the day though, they're both good and they both work.
My ex-cat is named "Muffin". "Vomit" would be a better name for her. AKA "The Evil Ball of Fur".
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BanzaiMagic
Special user
890 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 10:47pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 09:54, Mb217 wrote:
So one time I was traveling with Ali to promote a couple of books and we had lunch together at a table to ourselves. He showed me a trick and then I showed him one and he playfully threatened me with that old Ali snarl he had realistically given to Smokin' Joe Frazier and Big George Foreman in great fights. After some laughs about it and his continuing plea to know, I showed it to him...It was Tenkai Pennies.
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Great story!
Were it not for your post I would never have known Ali was a member of the magic fraternity (a coin magician, too!) - another reason to like the guy.
Regards,
Alan
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Mb217
Inner circle
V.I.P. ;)
5755 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 5:25pm
Well, Ali certainly likes coin magic but is probably much more into any sort of closeup magic. He had big smiles and great attention for it all. He useta actually carry around the Vanishing Hanky (TT) trick with him most times I remember (One of the greatest closeup tricks anywhere, IMHO). Useta see him doing it for folks here and there. A few other champs that really enjoyed magic were Heavyweight, Riddick Bowe, Lightweight, Pernell "SweetPea" Whitaker and I used to do tricks for current champ and recognized best pound for pound in the world, Floyd Mayweather when he was just a kid running around the gym watching his uncle, Welterweight Champ, Roger Mayweather workout and train.
Oh and back on the trail here, my friend had his Triple Threat with him yesterday at lunch and it was nice to fiddle with and very well made that I saw - to be honest it was perfect. In general I suppose that you can't go wrong with either of these 2 super craftsman, their work is well done, and you're hearing that from a guy that's happy as punch with just Johnson Coins. He also had a set of those Cartel Coins with him and those were really cool too, nicely made coins that could survive the deepest scrutiny, very well made and quite slick as to their handling.
*Check out my latest Crimp Change - REDUX! and other fine magic at www.vinnymarini.com
"Not much new under the sun I hear but under the moon, well who knows, that just might be a horse of a different color." -Mb
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Zombie Magic
Inner circle
I went out for a beer and now have
6562 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 8:17pm
I could listen to MB all day long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rory111
New user
53 Posts
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Posted: Apr 30, 2012 3:22pm
Lassen is truly a fine craftsman...
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The Count
New user
3 Posts
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Posted: Sep 17, 2012 12:04pm
My 2c.
I believe we have to accept people at face value and not try to change them or expose traits we don't like. I think bad business should be acknowledged but not for personal reasons or bias, but don't beat to death a dead horse. We all have less than stellar traits, maybe just in different areas. If you like them or their work, do business with them. If you don't, stop whining, it's that banter that helps keep needless things alive and sometimes it helps them escalate. I knew this girl once.... never mind, see I got off track. It is up to them on how they decide to run their business and by the looks of it all is well in Denmark for all parties mentioned here.
I had my first custom coin made in the mid seventies by Johnson Products. It was a Sun & Moon coin made with a walking liberty, one of the first they had done. It was perfect and I still have it. I've had others made since as back-up (2 more, just in case), they are perfect. I do feel that gaffs should be held in the highest regard to craftsmanship. On the other hand if you have spectators asking to see the coins you haven't done your job right. Work within your limits.
I went outside of my box or comfort zone and bought the Johnny Wong Super Triple. It's not a silver coin which is all I use but heck, something different but also you can't let someone stare at the edge or leave on the table, but it's a great coin and it blows the crap away for laymen. I love it. What more do you need? So my point is the craftsmanship should be at a comfort level you can deal with according to your budget, expertise, and possibly if you like the guy, etc, etc etc. But you are the artist - the ultimate story is on whether you produce a great coin effect or not, - not the coin makers. I agree having the best tool for the job can make things easier, but sometimes reality and cash availability sets in.
The first car (steam) of sorts was built in 1692 by Ferdinand Verbiest. The first production cars were made by Karl Benz in 1888, Ford wasn't till 1903, (along with Harley Davidson). The point is since the car was invented if we had only one car, one craftsman, we wouldn't have diddly for cars today. There are many makes of cars now with a slew of options at different prices - most travel on four wheels, have doors to get in and out, steering wheel, brakes, etc. - you get the idea. You buy gaffed coins you like, at a budget you can afford (hopefully) and generally from someone you can trust. I buy my coins that way. And if I have to wait a little longer than I want for what I want, well, that's life, isn't it ...
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Poof-Daddy
Inner circle
1066 Posts
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Posted: Sep 17, 2012 1:36pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-12 07:49, Christopher Williams wrote
Also, does anyone recommend any other gaff coin makers? Don't just want a list of them, but actually looking for a reputable dealer, good communication, good customer service, amazing craftsmanship and well recommended?
Thanks
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seems this thread missed the point and turned into a "my dad is bigger than your dad" between Lassen and schoolcraft
Mark Mason of JB Magic - very PROMPT customer service
Joe Mogar - answers his phone and is easy to deal with and nice to talk to got his coins and Jhonny Wong's
Johnson Products - answers phone, very helpfull
Roy Kueppers - havent yet tried but have heard good things
Tango - well made mass produced and useable
these are the ones I have dealt with or heard about - other than Lassen and Schoolcraft - there are more out there I'm sure
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Pzak97
New user
53 Posts
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Posted: Sep 26, 2012 11:39am
I just received my OxF from Schoolcraft. The craftsmanship was amazing and the service was fast with good communication.
Regards,
Mike Petryszak
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J-Mac
Inner circle
Ridley Park, PA
3010 Posts
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Posted: Sep 26, 2012 10:50pm
Quote:
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On 2012-09-17 13:36, Poof-Daddy wrote:
seems this thread missed the point and turned into a "my dad is bigger than your dad" between Lassen and schoolcraft
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They always do, Poof.... Always.
Jim
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Magic Alaskan
New user
70 Posts
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Posted: Sep 27, 2012 3:26am
Count: Are you kidding me? Who cares? Really......
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