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Vu Nguyen
New user
26 Posts
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Posted: May 16, 2012 1:35am
I sometimes have an issue (especially during the winter) with my hands getting too dry to really do some slights. Glides, shuffles, or anything that requires you to slide cards around. What do you all recommend? I tried lotion, but it makes the cards feel greasy. I've had to resort to breathing on my hands and using the moisture from my breath. Weird I know...
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Tryllejakob
New user
Denmark
51 Posts
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Posted: May 16, 2012 2:25am
I have the same problem, lotion is helpfull if you let it dry on your hands. Try combining body oil and lotion, it gives a lot of moisture and dryes fast.
If it dosen't help, try changing the slide so it is possible to use even with dry hands.
Best Regards
Jakob Rasmussen
Denmark
www.magicshow.dk
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gillesA4
Veteran user
Brussels, Belgium
328 Posts
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Posted: May 16, 2012 3:16am
This has already been discussed to death! As I cannot get Chamberlain golden touch lotion in Belgium, I use any hand sanitizer with about 10 percent of glycerine, works perfectly for me!
Oh, all these coins on the floor, around me...
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mlippo
Elite user
Trieste (Italy)
401 Posts
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Posted: May 16, 2012 3:33am
I'm in Italy. I went to a stationery shop and bought a sort of a cream (it comes in a round box with a lid). If you look at it you'd think it's the greasiest thing in the world, but it's not. If, after applying it to your hands/fingers you touch a glass, it leaves no mark at all. Actually this is the test I did before touching my beloved Bikes with it!
Not at home now, so I do not remember the name on the lid, but I simply asked for the 'cream used by bank clerks when they need to count banknotes'.
The only problem is that its effect doesn't seem to last very long, so if you're performing for a long time you may need to reapply it.
mlippo
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fingerjack
Elite user
CT, USA
492 Posts
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Posted: May 16, 2012 8:34am
SortKwik all the way (or Skinner's Edge Creme if you can find it).
PS: S-L-E-I-G-H-T-S
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Vu Nguyen
New user
26 Posts
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Posted: May 16, 2012 9:11am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-16 08:34, fingerjack wrote:
SortKwik all the way (or Skinner's Edge Creme if you can find it).
PS: S-L-E-I-G-H-T-S
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Thanks. I should have known better.
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Merc Man
Inner circle
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
1899 Posts
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Posted: May 17, 2012 6:41am
This is highly recommended - albeit you may want to check with Harry Robson firstly to see he has some in stock. It generally sells like hot cakes (which thinking about it, could also be used - if they are the   variety...........okay; moving on)!
http://www.harryrobsonmagic.co.uk/magic-shop/accessories/harry-robson-s-easy-grip
Barry Allen
Mercedes-Benz W123 Series.........undoubtedly, Stuttgart's finest ever hour.
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MaxfieldsMagic
Inner circle
Instead of practicing, I made
1964 Posts
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Posted: May 19, 2012 10:05am
My favorite: http://www.camirandmagic.com/ac_037.html
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
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MagicofDesperado
Veteran user
357 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2012 4:41pm
Someone recommended Astroglide on this forum. Works great.
Dave
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MaxfieldsMagic
Inner circle
Instead of practicing, I made
1964 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2012 5:49pm
There's a big time pro out there (can't remember which one) who swears by feminine hygiene gels, too. Said they dry quickly but leave a nice tack. Not quite sure how he discovered that, but there it is...
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
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edh
Inner circle
4702 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2012 6:39pm
@MfM, I believe it's called Vagisil.
Magic is a vanishing art.
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eatonmagic
Elite user
Orlando, FL
416 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2012 10:35pm
Chamberlains...or as George Kirkandall used to call it, "Lizard P-ss"
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J-Mac
Inner circle
Ridley Park, PA
3005 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2012 11:52pm
A few magicians and their solutions:
Gary Oullet: --Had his own mix sold on Camirand Academy web site
Ed Marlo: --Used and recommended Chamberlain's Golden Touch; has it in the cover art of his book "Marlo Without Tears"
Harry Lorayne: --Always keeps a wet hanky next to him on stage
Martin Nash: --Uses SortKwik
Dai Vernon: --Used Chamberlain's Golden Touch
Martin Lewis --Uses Chamberlain's Golden Touch
Frank Garcia --Marketed his own called" Frank Garcia's Manipulation Lotion", said to be same as Chamberlain's Golden Touch
David Roth --Markets his own brand of bow rosin
Geoff Williams --Uses "Tacky Fingers", similar product to SortKwik
Scott Guinn --Uses "Pretty Feet and Hands" followed by mixture of equal parts of rose water, glycerin and alcohol
Michael Skinner:--Used "Skinner's Edge Crème", made by SortKwik and originally called "Paper Crème"; carried it in his sock and used it religiously
U. F. Grant: --Sold his own Manipulation Crème, also similar to Chamberlain's Golden Touch
Jim
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critter
Inner circle
Spokane, WA
2334 Posts
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Posted: May 20, 2012 11:56pm
On the site for the Chamberlain's Golden Touch is a testimonial from Johnny Thompson saying he was introduced to the product by The Professor.
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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thelearner
Regular user
Bournemouth, UK
171 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2012 2:22am
I rub a small amount of hair putty into my hands and that keeps them clammy for ages. Well worth a go I say.
Tim
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Mowee
Loyal user
226 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2012 10:35am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-20 22:35, eatonmagic wrote:
Chamberlains...or as George Kirkandall used to call it, "Lizard P-ss"
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Yup that was George.
I have been using O'Keefes Working Hands...available at Home Depot. (Paint section) And you do not need much. I bought a jar in October and finally ran out in April using it 2x a day.
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Steven Youell
V.I.P.
3866 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2012 1:08pm
I've found that there are two ways to handle this problem. The first is to get immediate results that don't solve the problem long term. The second is to be patient and make changes over a longer period of time. I like the second. I cannot imagine not being able to perform because I don't have my "secret lotion"...
Rule One: Make sure you hydrate from the inside out.
Rule Two: Hydrate hands every time you wash them.
Rule Three: Don't use anything with alcohol in it. It's used as a delivery agent, but it drys you hands.
Rule Four: Sortquick actually dries out your skin over time, so you have to keep using it....
Rule Five: If you live in a place where the weather is killing these attempts, take special precautions, like wearing gloves. There are gloves that keep moisture IN instead of letting it out. Those are the ones you want. Most gloves are designed to keep moisture from going IN, not going OUT.
I drink enough water to make sure I'm hydrated from the inside out. (Long term)
I use Neutrogena in the morning, at noon and before I go to bed. (Long term)
If all else fails, I use Zim's Crack Creme. (Short Term) It breaks rule Three, but has a very high level of Glycerin. That and the Neutrogena seem to compensate for that.
Finally, if you want to use PURE Glycerin, Corn Husker's Lotion is 100% pure Glycerin. It can be used in place of the Neutragena, but make sure when you use it, you don't have to use or wash your hands for a while so it absorbs.
YMMV
SEY
The Best Close Up Mats In The World
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Steven Youell
V.I.P.
3866 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2012 1:13pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-21 12:45, Adam1975 wrote:
Sweat from your ******** is handy,and cheap.And effective |
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And it can be used as a Daub. You can even find the card by smell then.
SEY
P.S. I can't believe I posted this.
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Adam1975
Special user
UK
889 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2012 2:08pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-21 13:13, Steven Youell wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-05-21 12:45, Adam1975 wrote:
Sweat from your ******** is handy,and cheap.And effective |
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And it can be used as a Daub. You can even find the card by smell then.
SEY
P.S. I can't believe I posted this.
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Ha! Me neither,when I looked at my own post.Just a little bit of fun people. 
Anyway,Neutrogena(I use unscented,so I don't smell like a flower shop,but each to there own)as Steven mentioned is great stuff.I literally could not do without it.Seriously.
Ive upped my standards.Now,up yours!
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Vu Nguyen
New user
26 Posts
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Posted: May 22, 2012 10:53am
Vagasil? Really?? I can't tell if you guys are just trolling me haha.
I can definitely vouch for the hair tack stuff though. I fixed my hair this morning and my hands feel great!
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MaxfieldsMagic
Inner circle
Instead of practicing, I made
1964 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 10:45am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-21 13:08, Steven Youell wrote:
Rule Five: If you live in a place where the weather is killing these attempts, take special precautions, like wearing gloves. There are gloves that keep moisture IN instead of letting it out. Those are the ones you want. Most gloves are designed to keep moisture from going IN, not going OUT.
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Steven, do you seriously wear gloves all day so your hands are conditioned for card magic? Man, that is dedicated. Makes me embarrassed to admit I just spray some cr*p on my hands right before the performance.
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
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J-Mac
Inner circle
Ridley Park, PA
3005 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 11:21am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-21 13:08, Steven Youell wrote:
I've found that there are two ways to handle this problem. The first is to get immediate results that don't solve the problem long term. The second is to be patient and make changes over a longer period of time. I like the second. I cannot imagine not being able to perform because I don't have my "secret lotion"...
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Steven,
Generally very good advice. And I have done all of that many times using various methods and advice, including extended treatments by dermatologists. Sometimes it just doesn’t help, or at least it doesn’t help much. Long before I became more serious about my magic hobby I had dry skin problems to the point where working outside became a literal pain! My hands crack and bleed shortly after the first frost of the season every year. Oddly enough my feet suffer the same problems as my hands do in cold weather. (Fortunately there are no effects where I need to use my feet to perform!) Long ago I used to slather plain old Vaseline over my hands and feet nightly and then tape baggies over them. Truly disgusting! And my hands and feet would then be nice and moist - until a few moments after I removed all the Vaseline and washed my hands and feet. Then they looked and felt as bad as ever.
Fortunately I don’t work outside in winter anymore, but of course my magic is very dependent on the condition of my hands. Without some external treatment I cannot slide a card off the top of a deck; I can't push a coin from finger palm to my fingertips with my thumb without some moisture being applied. Dermatologists just shrug their shoulders and tell me to use lotions daily. They no longer try to sell me any proprietary lotions or similar products. The best advice they have given me is to use either Zim's Crack Cream or cow udder cream (I use one called "Udderly Smooth" that I get from Amazon). Neither of those helps much with my magic but they do heal up the bleeding cracks well.
Best for me with cards and coins is Na-PCA from Twin Labs. Bow rosin used sparingly also works well with coins but not cards. Zim's Crack Cream feels like it would work well but the stuff I got has a "Spice" scent that I cannot stand. Maybe they sell a non-scented version. Chamberlain's Golden Touch feels similar to Na-PCA but lasts such a short time as to be useless.
Anyway I'm running on and on, though I mostly just wanted to say that sometimes the best, natural way just won't quite work well for all of us. Some of us need a little help on top of that.
Thanks!
Jim
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ljsviol
Loyal user
244 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 11:45am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-26 11:21, J-Mac wrote:
... Without some external treatment I cannot slide a card off the top of a deck; I can't push a coin from finger palm to my fingertips with my thumb without some moisture being applied....
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Jim,
In a way, it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one the problem to this extent. -)
One approach I've taken in general is to identify sleights (both card and coin) that work well even with dry hands. For instance, in general, a sleight which mainly handles a card by its edges (like DPS) is not going to be much affected by dry hands (for me at least), whereas something like the side steal (as if a card is going to move simply by putting my little finger on its face, hah!) doesn't work well.
So when possible, I try to go 'around' the issue of dry hands by finding sleights that don't care. -)
I've considered starting as a thread discussing sleights favorable to dry hands (if that makes sense), but I didn't know if I'd be mocked for the idea. -)
Larry S.
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Jim Stan Magic Man
Loyal user
Chicago Area
216 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 1:05pm
Chamberlains Gold Touch is great. Another product is Working Hands Creme made by Working Hands Creme Inc in Oregon. I have not seen this in a few years. I got mine at Walgreens.
Jim
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MagicofDesperado
Veteran user
357 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 2:48pm
Someone on here recommended Astroglide. Try it Works really well.
Dave
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Steven Youell
V.I.P.
3866 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 3:13pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-26 10:45, MaxfieldsMagic wrote:
Steven, do you seriously wear gloves all day so your hands are conditioned for card magic? Man, that is dedicated. Makes me embarrassed to admit I just spray some cr*p on my hands right before the performance. |
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I do not, but I live near the Ocean in Southern California. The climate is mild and we rarely have to use the Heat or Air Conditioner.
However, many people live where there are freezing temperatures in the Winter and Heat in the Summer. This can cause problems.
Now that I've gotten older, the skin tends to dry out and precautions have to be made so I became obsessed with this subject.
Read this carefully: One solution does not fit everyone. Here's what I've found:
1) There are short term solutions-- like Chamberlins. Chosse and MacMillen used that all the time.
2) There are long term solutions-- like I mentioned.
3) There are combination solutions.
Often, 1 and 2 counteract each other, so you have to be careful. If you work to hydrate your skin (hands) every day and then put on something with a high alcohol content right before you work, this can counteract what you do during the day.
The most common mistake humans make in things like this is to automatically assume there is ONE cause and ONE solution. I've almost never come across a problem that simple. If you want a permanent solution that will work for you personally, here's what I'd suggest:
1) Keep track of your daily habits: Where do you work? What chemicals are your hands exposed to? How often do you have to wash your hands? What is your weather like? Do you have the heater on a lot (dry air)? Things like that.
2) Then develop a plan and stick with it for around 30 days. See if it works. If not, make an adjustment. For example, Doctors probably have to wash their hands a lot, right? So that's a factor that must be overcome. Please note, I am NOT suggesting you stop washing your hands. But you might consider putting something on them after you do. How much paper do you handle at work?
See? It's unique to the individual.
Finally, you might want to consider consulting a dermatologist to eliminate any physical problems. He might also be able to suggest some solutions that will work for you.
I have personally found that there are things out there you won't find in every store. Usually I look for things that are designed for construction workers, etc. Currently I'm experimenting with something I found in a HARDWARE STORE. Almost always these preparations say something about curing cracked hands-- which is what happens with SEVERE dry skin.
I'm currently using a combination of Neutrogena and a foot cream that is designed to fix the dry, hard skin that becomes cracked on your heels. Right before I perform, I use one or two sprays of Zim's Crack Creme. This has been producing very good results.
Hope my OCD about this stuff helps someone!
SEY
The Best Close Up Mats In The World
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ddyment
Inner circle
Gibsons, BC, Canada
1383 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 5:03pm
Note that I have made available a free on-line essay on resolving the "dry hands" problem.
Some of you may find helpful information there.
... Doug :: PEA Honorary Life Member :: Deceptionary Proprietor :: Travel Author and Speaker
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slyhand
Inner circle
Good ole Virginia
1746 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 10:40pm
I use my own proprietary blend. Maybe I should market it. Many of my friends ask me if I have my "stuff" with me so they can have a few squirts.
I am getting so tired of slitting the throats of people who say that I am a violent psychopath.
Alec
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kentfgunn
Inner circle
Tampa FL
1423 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 10:49pm
Instead of pouring smelly stuff on your hands, you can develop your own sleights and accept the fact that you have dry hands. If you work with what you've got, sometimes, you find other paths that those who carry vials of goo don't ever discover.
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Steven Youell
V.I.P.
3866 Posts
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Posted: May 26, 2012 11:42pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-26 22:49, kentfgunn wrote:
Instead of pouring smelly stuff on your hands, you can develop your own sleights and accept the fact that you have dry hands. If you work with what you've got, sometimes, you find other paths that those who carry vials of goo don't ever discover. |
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Well, I didn't consider that. I never knew that Neutrogena would hamper my creativity... 
Congrats on publishing, Kent!
SEY
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