I am looking for some plans for Chinese Sticks, something more like the Manchurian Sticks or something larger than the smaller ones. They don't have to be bamboo but they must look cool. I hope to add a remote control motor in order to get the maximum comedy effect, but just a standard plan will work for now.

Having just done a comedy routine that involved tropical madness and pulling a "limbo" pole out of my pants (being female this played rather...interesting),
what about setting up your mechanism inside some appearing -from your pants maybe- poles. Depending on your audience age, and type, you can ask someone to "pull the tassel", or put a glass eye on the end and call it a 'winky'

At least if you are going for the comedy aspect.

So maybe I could build some appearing chinese sticks? Or large ones taken from a small chinese bag or something. I found some plans on line for $7 so if I could get the mechanism to work after the appearance I'd be in buisness. GREAT IDEA !!!! I'd love to pull a Limbo Pole out of my pants in my Slim King routine. It would totally fit with the mentality of that act. Don't want to steal your idea but I sure would like to borrow it! Very funny....
Thanks for the ideas. Did you make your own pole or puchase one?

I thought that Magic Auction was selling plans for the sticks but I was WRONG. They are selling sticks. Sooooo I still need plans. Anyone? Pleeze....
Thanks
Dave

I believe that there are "plans" and a routine in which the Chinese Sticks are destroyed, in "Martin's Miracles" by Eric Lewis.

0pus

Slim King, I would be honored by your use of the Limbo pole from pants! (I only reserve, if possible, my line of "wait a minute!!! what's this in my pants!?!") I am getting folks trained to actually ask me!-having pulled the limbo pole, the rabbit, a dissapeared card, and other things! Amazing where a topit can be used!! Sounds like I need to make a trip to the south lands to see "the Slim King!"

I had a thought on a mechanism that ought to work, though I have not tried it. I was going to PM you, but kept getting an error message. Shoot me a line, I you would like to share with you. I think it ought to work fairly easily with the appearing poles.
Kay

Martin Lewis's tape "Making Magic" shows how to make some sticks.

Thanks everyone! I've been playing with these "Poles' for several days now (Yikes)and more and more ideas come to mind. I still can't figure out just how to put the Chinese Sticks mechanism in, in a timely fashion. I think that I can do it but I will have to work pretty fast while the audience waits and watches. If I just cap the end everything should just feed into the tube as it comes together. Still Brainstorming.

Opus;
Do you know if the plans are in the new Eric Lewis CD put out by his son? Can't remember the name without searching.....
Dave

I do not believe that "Personal Magic," the CD containing the magic of Eric Lewis and put out by Eric's son -- Martin Lewis -- contains the Chinese Sticks material.

Now, to confuse the matter, the book "Martin's Miracles," containing the magic of MARTIN Lewis and written by Martin's FATHER -- ERIC Lewis -- contains the Chinese Sticks material in Chapter 5 under the title 'The Inscrutable Sticks.'

In addition, Martin Lewis's video "Making Magic," contains the Chinese Sticks material under the title "Ripstix."

Is everyone now properly confused?

0pus

No confusion. Martin Lewis emailed me and I believe that you, Opus, are correct in every aspect of your post! I am making the mock up sticks tonight. I'm starting with a pair 2&1/2 feet long. I'm using my daughters play-doh, yarn, the rod covers and a cap from some hair conditioner.
Let's Party!
Dave

Eric Lewis might have published plans and ideas in one of his "Miracles" books. They are "A Choice of Miracles", "Continuation of Miracles", and "The Crowning Miracles". I will check them and post here when I find out something. They are generally available from used book sources such as abebooks.com or eBay.

I own a set of Chinese Sticks that belonged to Eric Lewis. They are made from square brass tubing, painted light blue, and have craft-store jewels glued on.

Amos McCormick

In his book Funny Stuff, Tom Ladshaw tells you how to make up a unique version of the chinese sticks using woman's pumps.(high heel shoes) The idea is the heel of each shoe goes down like the tassel on the chinese sticks.
Something I used to perform years ago was Gateen Blooms Crazy Bicycle Pumps which was quite unique.

Hiya, Magi:

Something with which I've been toying is a bizarre take on the Chinese Sticks (IMO, a Classic prop that's still in search of a REALLY boffo routine). At any rate, I'm replacing the tassles with miniature nooses; the Sticks, of course, become a gallows or tree branches, and the condemned, Three Magi.

The first Mage is brought forward to the Slumber Lumber (by the Lord High Executioner or Hang 'Em High Harry) and the noose is lowered, but won't quite reach. The Hangman pulls the other noose down, but as he does so the first noose shrinks and shortens out of reach -- a sign of Divine intervention, so the prisoner is reprieved. Next the nooses (noosae? nice? Not sure of the plural) are separated, and again, the first one isn't low enough. The second is stretched, and the first shrinks (repeat as needed), and so the condemned is set free. The third Mage is brought to the ropes, and having seen the executioner's dilemma, offers assistance. A pleasant sort, but none too swift he brightly chirps, "Here, this should help!" and casts a Magic spell. Immediately both ropes are long enough, and dangle obediently, waiting for their prey. Fortunately, the first wizard has been watching all along and spares his foolish peer a short drop & a quick stop with his own Magic -- instantly both ropes shorten and the Magi necks are spared...that day, at least.

Sincerely,
Leland Edward Stone

Go to http://www.stevensmagic.com and buy my "Plumber's Poles."

I just got a good set of sticks at Daytona Magic's Hurricane sale for 30% off. Looks like they will be having another sale soon! Those plumber poles look funeeeee! Gotta run...Here comes Frances!

I recommend the Ping and Pong Chines Sticks as the best new set you can readily get. They work very well.

Here is my Chinese Stick Scrapbook:

http://s474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110......lideshow

I have them all except the 3 or 4 I am looking for, and help would be appreciated.

ACE
Joe(JOJO)Strauch

Plans for the Chinese sticks??? Talk to me at the net meeting slim

z

Plans? 1st a collection.
2nd. a nice online photo album
3rd. to have 50 magicians stand in a row at a magic convention holding these sticks. I will pull the first string, and it will start a chain reaction. And to have it on video.

ACE

Oops, I misread the last question. LOL.

well, anyway, those are MY plans!

ACE

If you want plans for Chinese Sticks, just buy the cheapest set and take them apart and you will see eveything you need to know.

Updated collection:
http://s474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110......tart=all
or http://s474.photobucket.com/albums/rr110......lideshow

ACE (the dancing stickman)