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Jay Braggart
New user
Houston, TX
25 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2012 9:57pm
Can anyone tell me where to get a good set of plans to build a blade box. I have the old Brill plans but I'm not sure if I want to use them, if any of you have used the Brill plans before please share your thoughts on it.
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:59pm
The Brill plans are fine, but I wouldn't bother with the pole through the box. It just slows things down. The Brill, Abbotts and Osbourne plans are all based upon the original plans that Burling Hull published in an illusion book. I think that statement is accurate, but it has been some time since I have seen all those plans, and I never saw them together. In looking at them, they all seemed to be about the same.
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3729 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 2:54pm
You might check out my Facebook page, albums, for a different approach. It will give you some ideas, but there are optical cheats that observers aren't aware of. I published some 40 copies of the plans in '96 or so, with permission for those specific owners to build one...but haven't reissued them. I will eventually republish them when I can get a series of photos and good clear step by step instructions. As it was, those plans were more of a puzzle than clear instructions...all the info was there, but you had to really dig for it.
The Hull box was very effective and easy to build. That one was my first. Think about hinging the sides so they fold down for packing, the lid setting down on top of the folded sides and latching closed. This will give you the box at about 8" deep for travel (as I recall). Good old fashioned interior Pin Hinges will hold the box solid when the sides are unfolded. I put the box on saw horses, the blades had their own display holder. I think now, I would either just use Saw Horses for the blades too, or design the display holder to do double duty as their travel case.
I'd also veer from the usual and not use metal for the blades. The good stuff is heavy and expensive, the lightweight stuff looks cheap, chintzy, flimsy and fake.
FYI, I'll be trying to build a few units this summer, and will probably announce it here if I have any available. David Avedon built one off my plans that he took on tour to Canada, etc., and it may be available from his estate.
Have fun.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 3:12pm
I have always wanted to build a blade box with mirrored walls and chromed blades. This way, when the marks come up to look in the box it will be like gazing into a hall of mirrors with arms, legs and body parts going in all different directions. There are number of drawbacks to this. It keep the box from being damaged when being moved from gig to gig or lot to lot. And it might slow down the turn of the tip since the marks might spend too much time looking into the box, trying for figure what the heck they are looking at.
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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DonDriver
Inner circle
1642 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 3:31pm
I like it Todd.A good talker can keep the tip moving so that's not a problem.It would have to breakdown and special cases for each side would have to be made for moving around like you said.But hey...a man of your means....that kind of money to build it would be pocket change to you,unlike us other carnies...hahaha.(keep Finn working thoses commercials)
Don
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Jim Hand
Regular user
Ocala,Fl.
129 Posts
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Posted: Apr 16, 2012 5:37pm
Hey ,Todd, what a fantastic concept...You can get very thin plexiglass material with a mirror finish...I built a box for the Curator a copuple years ago and the blades were a polished aluminum. There was a certain amount of reflection going on and was quite confusing when anyone looked inside.
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Jay Braggart
New user
Houston, TX
25 Posts
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Posted: Apr 17, 2012 2:21am
Thank you guys for the help and advice, it is what I needed to know.
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ringmaster
Special user
Memphis, Down in Dixie
994 Posts
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Posted: Apr 20, 2012 12:46pm
The Brill plans are very good, possibly his best. And the price is right.
The Osbourne plans are for an "improved" version that defiantly is not an improvement, I wonder if they are based on a real illusion.
Jimmy Dixon's break in two box was the only real improvement I've seen.
I know it's spelled wrong.
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff53/davidsweeney/Parker%20Jenny%20on%20Midway%20of%20Mirth/
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The Curator of the Unusual
Inner circle
Tampa FL
1394 Posts
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Posted: Apr 20, 2012 1:03pm
Just bought another set of Brill plans, (couldn't find my copy), In my opinion the Brill plans are not very good, (I am using them for another purpose) I wish I had a picture of the Blade Box Jim Hand built for me, probably the smallest dimensions of a Blade Box today, yet can fit a BBW in it! 13 Blades! and is dual purpose (side view or top)...I would suggest driving to Florida and having Jim Hand teach you how to build a Blade box, Money well spent...My only regret is I left it at Home, wish I had brought it with this year...
You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself.
Evel Knievel
contact: curatoroftheunusual@hotmail.com
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3729 Posts
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Posted: Apr 20, 2012 10:26pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-20 12:46, ringmaster wrote:
Jimmy Dixon's break in two box was the only real improvement I've seen.
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Do you have a link to any pix on that one? I'm real interested in other takes on Blade Boxes.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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ringmaster
Special user
Memphis, Down in Dixie
994 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 3:45pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-20 22:26, Tom Jorgenson wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-04-20 12:46, ringmaster wrote:
Jimmy Dixon's break in two box was the only real improvement I've seen.
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Do you have a link to any pix on that one? I'm real interested in other takes on Blade Boxes.
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Google is your friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF6RK3nPPeI
I know it's spelled wrong.
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff53/davidsweeney/Parker%20Jenny%20on%20Midway%20of%20Mirth/
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 5:32pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-20 12:46, ringmaster wrote:
Jimmy Dixon's break in two box was the only real improvement I've seen.
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Don't bring up the break in two box to Denny Haney of Denny & Lee's Magic Shop. It seems Denny built the first one and then showed it to Jimmy. At least that's the story I got from Denny.
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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The Curator of the Unusual
Inner circle
Tampa FL
1394 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 6:25pm
The most important aspects of a Blade Box are 1. a enticing Broad, 2. The delivery, of a convincing pitch... You see, the prop, err Blade Box is really, barely even necessary...other then to be a veiwing area of the enticing Broad in a compromised position...
You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself.
Evel Knievel
contact: curatoroftheunusual@hotmail.com
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 6:39pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 18:25, The Curator of the Unusual wrote:
enticing Broad in a compromised position...
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Jim,
Please stop quoting phrases from that court case against me. Thank you.
Todd "guilty until proven innocent" Robbins
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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The Curator of the Unusual
Inner circle
Tampa FL
1394 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 7:00pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 18:39, Todd Robbins wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 18:25, The Curator of the Unusual wrote:
enticing Broad in a compromised position...
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Jim,
Please stop quoting phrases from that court case against me. Thank you.
Todd "guilty until proven innocent" Robbins
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Todd
As Jimmy Dixon would say "Strictly Coincidence"...
Jim "Plead the 5th" Zajicek
You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself.
Evel Knievel
contact: curatoroftheunusual@hotmail.com
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 7:05pm
Quote:
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Todd
As Jimmy Dixon would say "Strictly Coincidence"...
Jim "Plead the 5th" Zajicek
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Understood.
Todd "Drink the Fifth" Robbins
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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The Curator of the Unusual
Inner circle
Tampa FL
1394 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 7:19pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 19:05, Todd Robbins wrote:
Quote:
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Todd
As Jimmy Dixon would say "Strictly Coincidence"...
Jim "Plead the 5th" Zajicek
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Understood.
Todd "Drink the Fifth" Robbins
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Touche'...!
Jim "serving Life w/o Parole on a Midway near you" Zajicek
You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself.
Evel Knievel
contact: curatoroftheunusual@hotmail.com
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3729 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 9:43pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF6RK3nPPeI
That's sweet. Congrats and a tip of the hat to whomever. I love that blade layout.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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ringmaster
Special user
Memphis, Down in Dixie
994 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 3:41pm
Twisting, turning, ducking, dodging, contorting and convorting.
I know it's spelled wrong.
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff53/davidsweeney/Parker%20Jenny%20on%20Midway%20of%20Mirth/
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DonDriver
Inner circle
1642 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 4:39pm
If you watch Jimmy's pitch you'll notice he never smiles.I went out with Jimmy doing the blade box pitch and the Baby Jam for several seasons.I would get on him to SMILE once in awhile but it was like talking to a pickled punk.He always hired local girls to work it and never showed them any stage presence because he didn't have any either.
However Jimmy made good money doing the blade box pitch.That shows you how strong that pitch is.
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ringmaster
Special user
Memphis, Down in Dixie
994 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 9:34pm
When we were playing the Indiana State, JB was working the box with Lady Diana. There were thirty or forty bikers and OL's in the top. they liked the show and when we got to the box they all got in front of the ding stage. Well they didn't turn, and nobody else wanted to push through them. Finally one huge guy came up the steps and dropped his quarter. He went behind the box and looked at it from every angle for about a minute in complete silence.
Then he let out a tremendous laugh, then, came to the edge of the, stage pointed to the club members and said "every one of you get out a quarter and come look at this"
I know it's spelled wrong.
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff53/davidsweeney/Parker%20Jenny%20on%20Midway%20of%20Mirth/
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The Curator of the Unusual
Inner circle
Tampa FL
1394 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2012 1:59am
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 21:34, ringmaster wrote:
When we were playing the Indiana State, JB was working the box with Lady Diana. There were thirty or forty bikers and OL's in the top. they liked the show and when we got to the box they all got in front of the ding stage. Well they didn't turn, and nobody else wanted to push through them. Finally one huge guy came up the steps and dropped his quarter. He went behind the box and looked at it from every angle for about a minute in complete silence.
Then he let out a tremendous laugh, then, came to the edge of the, stage pointed to the club members and said "every one of you get out a quarter and come look at this"
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If your only getting a 1/4...You A. don't have a very enticing Broad and/or B.a Bad delivery of a very unconvincing pitch.. I would suggest finding a enticing Broad and studying Todd Robbins, John Strong , Bobby Reynolds,Tyler Fyre or C.M Christ for a better Pitch...My pitch is mute cause I generally rely heavily on the enticing Broad..So much so...that even a Chimp could turn the Tip...Best of Luck and Happy Blade Boxing...
You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself.
Evel Knievel
contact: curatoroftheunusual@hotmail.com
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ringmaster
Special user
Memphis, Down in Dixie
994 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2012 10:19pm
That was in 1984.We turned everybody+around 50 mice at a buck and Otis Jordan did OK with his pictures. No blow off.
I know it's spelled wrong.
http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff53/davidsweeney/Parker%20Jenny%20on%20Midway%20of%20Mirth/
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Jim Hand
Regular user
Ocala,Fl.
129 Posts
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Posted: Apr 24, 2012 10:02am
Working the NJ State fair for Col.Jerry Lipko in the early 60's. my wife to be and I did the blade box on points (25) ... Even at a dime a peek we still averaged $12-15. a day...My pitch was pretty good ( learned from Milt Robbins) BUT I had a very enticing girl...so enticing ...I married her...
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joe faro
Regular user
Salida Colorado
148 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 10:41am
In the book Ballyhoo ? there is a photo of a upright blade box. Any one sell plans for this kind of box?
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 2:37pm
The upright blade box is the brain child of C. M. Christ, Ward Hall's partner. He didn't build it from plans, so the answer would be no. There have been what is known as a squat blade box. It's an adaptation of the Thayer sword box illusion with an open top and back that allows people to walk around the back of the box and see how it is done. It's a more compact illusion. It is included in the Kaufman reprint of John Northern Hilliard's Greater Magic and Mickey Hades probably has the plans for it.
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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Harley Newman
Inner circle
4574 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 5:32pm
On one tour, Penn & Teller did the barrel and canes version as an intermission piece. I think Penn was in the barrel.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com
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critter
Inner circle
Spokane, WA
2334 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 5:43pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-08 17:32, Harley Newman wrote:
On one tour, Penn & Teller did the barrel and canes version as an intermission piece. I think Penn was in the barrel.
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That's something I'd have liked to have seen.
I throw stuff.
Follow Critter on Twitter: @Critterdun
Ichi-go ichi-e
"Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage."
-Theodore Roosevelt
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Todd Robbins
V.I.P.
New York
2686 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 6:11pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-08 17:32, Harley Newman wrote:
On one tour, Penn & Teller did the barrel and canes version as an intermission piece. I think Penn was in the barrel.
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Hmmmm, I wonder who gave them the idea to do that. Oh, wait a minute, I remember...it was me. They were doing the Himber Barrel illusion in the show (a variation on that Thayer Sword Box illusion.) They also had Mofo the Psychic Gorilla in the show and did a serial number revelation on a bill randomly selected from several dozen collected from the audience. The rest of the bills were donated to the upkeep of Mofo. I told Penn that it hurt me so see so many people wanting to give him money, but that he only collected a couple of dozen bills. I told him that he should get back into the darn barrel and ding the audience during intermission. He did and donated the proceed to JREF.
Todd Robbins
www.toddrobbins.com
www.playdeadnyc.com
http://coneyislandtodd.blogspot.com/
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critter
Inner circle
Spokane, WA
2334 Posts
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Posted: May 8, 2012 7:52pm
Nice.
I throw stuff.
Follow Critter on Twitter: @Critterdun
Ichi-go ichi-e
"Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage."
-Theodore Roosevelt
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