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Justin Flom Veteran user 325 Posts |
Is there a way to make a gimmicked swallowing sword? If so, where would you get the materials.
Justin |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Use a carpenter measuring tape, when stiff and facing the audience it looks like a thin sword. Make a handle for it. It will roll up in your mouth.
Be careful it could cut your lip. Could be used as a comedy prop gag afterwards!!
Dennis Michael
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Justin Flom Veteran user 325 Posts |
Ok, Thanks! Have any ideas for what to cover the tape up with because I'll be surrounded.
Justin |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
There is usually a swallowing sword available on e-bay for around 20 bucks. I've used a Tai-Chi practice sword (the telescoping kind) with some success.
As for the tape measure either cover it with mylar tape or just sand the yellow paint off with some fine grit sandpaper.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Justin Flom Veteran user 325 Posts |
Ok, thanks!
Justin |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Justin,
Making the tape based trick sword is a cool idea. Sanding the numbers off the tape is a must unless you want to make it a real gag (no pun intended) bit. However, even at a distance it is not going to fool anyone (if that is your goal). It should take you about a week or two of effort to learn to swallow a sword. Why not go for the real thing?
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
A Week or Two?? I think I'd die sooner than that!
I've done balloons, I've done hypnosis, I've done fire eating, I've done juggling, I've grown hair on my face (opps that's OK for guys)... I've survived Vietnam, I've survived building Collapses, I've survived 25 years of marriage... No I don't think so! I'll leave the body pentration acts to the proctologists.
Dennis Michael
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Justin,
The purchased effect of the fake sword commerically available (made in India) at most of the magic shops I have seen lately (2 of them) and also available on e-Bay for $15-$20 is not a bad prop. The handle is red cast metal that is bright and substantial enough to hold, but not so big that it becomes suspect. The Blade is essentially made of what others have suggested you use to make one, but it seems a bit wider than normal measuring tape and is chromed and VERY shiny on both sides. It actually makes for a pretty good illusion of swallowing the sword at about 6 feet distance from Specs. That gives you plenty of cover and the details are not obvious at that distance. I had one that the blade had been kinked at the hilt when I got it, and it made it harder to handle but I still used it a couple of times, and it went over great. I sent it back to the seller for replacement since it came that way, but he claims he never got it, so I guess I need to get another one. I may pick one up at an upcoming magic auction, or on e-Bay again. But I think it's worth having one of these in your collection. I don't know about mumblepeas statment of learning to actually do it in a week or two, I am sure that I would bleed to death before that... BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Justin Flom Veteran user 325 Posts |
I just bought one for about $16. and I love it. Even though my family knew the basic workings of it (because we're a family of magicians) they were still impressed from about five feet away. Now I'm trying to decide whether to do it faster or slower. Which do you think would be more impressive?
Justin |
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x-treem Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Faster vs. slower, there will be some varying answers. Depends on what you want to accomplish. Gross them out doing it slowly and gagging with bodily squirms. Fast to show you have "skill" and that it does not bother you physically.
A direct from text adaptation : The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Starring Mickey Rooney in his final role.
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Dr. Jakks Special user 832 Posts |
oohh.....try the real thing? Ouch-ee
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Fast or Slow depends on the audience, and the program.
If doing a dramatic program for just about any age, do it really slow and make it seem as much of a difficult struggle as reasonable. Otherwise speed it up a bit, but not too fast. I found that when I tried to take it too fast, I would lose some of the acting necessary to "sell" the sword actually going down your throat. I would not tip my head back far enough, or bring it forward too quick. Maybe I am a bad actor, but I find that if I hurry something like that, I tend to skip some of the body mechanics needed to make it seem real. But it sure beats the needle through the arm for ease of use, and reset BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Dr. Jakks Special user 832 Posts |
This is a tad off subject, but with needle through arm, do you clearly penetrate your arm or is it done pen through dollar style?
Jakks |
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Den, wrong end! No anesthesia is needed for sword swallowing as opposed to receiving a proctoscope. When swallowing a sword you are at least going the right direction. Can’t say that about the other end!
My Brother David, you should not bleed at all! There is only a simple gag reflex to overcome. It isn’t that difficult. It probably takes longer to master a good pass (not even an invisible one) then to be able to slide a blade down your gullet. Once you have mastered control over the gag reflex you are home free and building an act. Jakks, the needle is not gimmicked to penetrate the arm. There is a gimmicked needle available that allows for a bit of stage blood to be produced, however, it is otherwise ungimmicked. You could use a bit of wire cut from a coat hanger or a straightened paper clip to perform the effect. So if the needle is not gimmicked then what is left?
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
mumblespeas, I think I will keep my gags, as verbal puns and sight gags, since I am choking just thinking about it......
As for the needle, that should probably go to another thread, but the effect is cleaner than the "pen thru" and looks like you went right through the arm. And the "blood" (which I think helps sell it.) is a mess, but a powerfully disgusting effect. Not quickly, and easily repeatable - in my opinion, but a nice geek effect. I do it along with swallowing razor blades, etc. And it plays well. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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The Village Idiots Elite user Orlando 464 Posts |
My partner and I perform many of the effects mentioned in our Sideshow. I have been eating fire for 15 years among other effects. Blockhead, needle through arm, walking on glass. Anywho, swallowing swords is not something learned in two weeks. I guess you could get a little ways in but you really have to push yourself and being half crazy doesn't hurt either.
We used a gimick sword just like the one mentioned. Our's got a kink in it about half way up the sword from mishandling. Don't ever drop it and do it slow, as if you were really doing it. Even the fastest sword swallowers don't shove it down their throats. They may drop it and let gravity lower it but none shove it. A coat hanger bent into the shape of a sword is how I have been working on this effect for real. Not that I am recommending it to anyone. This is just how I am learning. Will
Some are born idiots.
Some are made idiots. Some have idiocy thrust upon them. |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
The newer "swallowing swords" are very inferior to the original ones made in the 1960's and 70's by Roydon. I've found 5 of 'em in the last 12 or so years, and gave 2 of 'em away to a doctor friend. I kept the other 3 (and the other specialty sword Roydon made, too). If you ever find this rare find with the painted wooden handle, BUY IT and USE IT. It's awesome.
Steve Thomas |
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SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
anyone know the current maker of such swords? Please post or better yet PM (I don't look in this section much) me with the maker. Thanks!
~Spiff |
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wol Loyal user Norfolk, UK 238 Posts |
Any one with sources for reading on sword swallowing for real I am very interested. I currently eat and breathe fire and juggle but I am looking for a new thing, I am also reading up on nails up the nose (is that blockhead? if not let me know?) anyone with other disgusting things for me to try I am most interested!
Keep passing the open windows!
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Wol FYI...definately find the out of print book 'Memoirs Of A Sword Swallower' by Daniel P. Mannix. It will give you all the background 'colour' you need. I think it was even out in paperback years ago so should be readily available at used book sellers.
BTW: I don't swallow swords BUT as I mentioned in the above post I odered the gimmicked sword...out of the box, my Wife near fainted! hahahaha. Fun trick. Handle IS ok as is but could easily be dressed a bit and at $12, worth the order. It's on ebay. Doug
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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