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mhend Regular user Kentucky 108 Posts |
I am looking for an expanded half dollar shell. apparently they are not all created equally. can anyone tell me who has the best shell and why it's better than the others? many thanks!
"You should never, never doubt what no one is sure of." Willie Wonka
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
I am partial to the Tango one, but haven't notice much difference, except for those stamped instead of milled from a real coin.
I would suggest getting a 'Tails' one as the 'heads' coins seem to flatten the face.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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magicjackson New user 63 Posts |
I have a Johnson tails and I happy with it. Here is a thread where it is discussed further.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=202&14 |
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lorenwade Special user 869 Posts |
As far as manufactured shells go... Johnson has my vote. I've seen Tango and Johnson side by side and the relief of the coin on Tango's looked smashed down too much, but the Johnson not only kept the integrity of most of the coin, but the sides of the shell covered more of the coin than a Tango.
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rklew64 Inner circle 1265 Posts |
I also have to side with Lorenwade on this. My vote goes to Johnson and would like to add Roy Kueppers to the list of very good craftsmanship. Not only did I order some shells from Roy, he makes an outstanding wand as well. Who would have thunk it. I am one of the very lucky owners of one of his cocobolo models of this year.
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mhend Regular user Kentucky 108 Posts |
Thanks for the tips, guys. I'd rather spend a few more bucks and get the best.
"You should never, never doubt what no one is sure of." Willie Wonka
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lorenwade Special user 869 Posts |
Definitely! If you can afford Roy Kueppers... it's all the better.
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
Who would seriously defend that magic is the result of the price of the shell. We all have a good relationship with some craftsmen. I have shells by Todd Lassen for rare coins, by Schoolcraft for 1964 sterling silver Kennedy Half, Tango for European coins, Xavier Belmont for beautiful sterling silver 10 Franc ... I don't know about Johnson products but I only hear good things about them.
Again it's nice to have a good relationship with a manufacturer, but leading or being led to believe that our magic will be better because we use expensive gaff is a fraud. It's just a collector's fantasy. Unless we can afford to have all the possible gaff from the most expensive craftsmen, it's wiser to buy initially from Tango (which has more versions) or from Johnson products because the extra cash can be invested in a TUC (superb), a slippery Sam or a Copper Silver Brass, or a Sun and Moon or a Flipper and possibly a Copper/Silver flipper just for the price that we would pay for one gorgeous set of four coins and shell from a well known craftsman. We probably do an even wiser choice in purchasing a Tango shell or TUC or Johnson product shell and use the cash saved to buy some DVDs of the series of the New York coin magic seminar, Michael Rubinstein's Encyclopedia of Coin sleights, David Roth's Expert coin magic, Greg Petty Flipped out, Dan Watkins Coin Man's walking, or the Ben Salinas' Bobo DVDs. I think that we should pay attention not to let our personal relational preferences influence the advice we give in the café
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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rklew64 Inner circle 1265 Posts |
I whole heartedly agree 100%. Skill set trumps quality of props always. Same example is spending $6,000.00 on a bicycle for the causual rider does not a Tour De France rider make, as a friend realized despite my protest. But there is something to be said for details and subtleties of any props as well as quality, durability and how well the any gaffing is done - cups and balls, hugely opinionated camp right? Sure one can use paper cups. And yes we collect the finer pieces and now I'm losing my train of thought. I guess I'm basically saying that I hope that I never come across snobby in any fashion because I allow myself to own special exclusive custom made props in any precious metals or exotic woods industrial grade synthetics.
I think I may have gotten off the point or totally digressed but I think my thought is reasonable tangent. I apologize for my misunderstanding of your point. Okay I got, not let our personal perferences surface. Sorry but I feel my mom makes the best grilled ham and cheese melt in the world. : ) |
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lorenwade Special user 869 Posts |
I hope I didn't give the wrong impression, I agree with you 100% Lawrence O.
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HerbLarry Special user Poof! 731 Posts |
Next thing ya know someone will tell me that Keds won't make me jump higher and that drinking the right beer won't get me chicks.
The French guy has a point. Spend the savings on some instructional material of your choice.
You know why don't act naive.
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TC Ryder Elite user Florida 496 Posts |
The Johnson Clad Expanded Shell is a work horse. You can't go wrong with it.
It you want to splurge and go silver go with a Lassen or Schoolcraft. And by the way Johnson does make silver stuff from time to time and the quality of their Silver stuff is very high quality as well. TC |
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rklew64 Inner circle 1265 Posts |
I must be in the wrong place. Nice to know the many here are able to always cast the first stone to set straight the misinformed and misguided and highly ignorant lesser beings such as myself.
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mhend Regular user Kentucky 108 Posts |
[quote]On 2010-02-19 13:30, Lawrence O wrote:
"Again it's nice to have a good relationship with a manufacturer, but leading or being led to believe that our magic will be better because we use expensive gaff is a fraud. It's just a collector's fantasy." Lawrence, my reference to paying more in order to get the best was in no way meant as criticism of Tango or any other mfg. I also understand that it wont make my performance better. As someone completely new to magic, with no history of using manufacturers, I have to rely on reviews that I read and the consensus of opinion I get from guys at the Café. I ended up buying the johnson shell because it appeared to have a better reputation. again, I'd rather spend a few more bucks for (perceived) quality. no harm meant. Mark
"You should never, never doubt what no one is sure of." Willie Wonka
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Koolmagic114 Veteran user 319 Posts |
For the most part.. I like the Johnson Shells... I also have some Sasco.. but they seem to run hot and cold.. meaning some seem to fit better than others for some reason. They don't seem to be consistant. Tango shells I have never had luck with.. very inconsistant with me..
So for my taste the Johnson for a good above average.. OF course if you want the top of the lines Kuppers.
Eddy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Co-Creator of "TAGZ" / "Iced Over" / " TelePad" / "Penigma" www.magicianslair.com |
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Douglas Lippert Inner circle E Pluribus Unum 2343 Posts |
A coin man's journey in magic tends to get expensive over time. You start off with ungaffed quarters/half dollars and Bobo and eventually end up with Triple Threats, U3F sets, etc..until once again you begin with ungaffed coins. Rinse and repeat.
Enjoy the journey guys.
Douglas Lippert
Former I.B.M. Ring #8 Secretary |
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rutabaga Inner circle Toronto, Canada 1283 Posts |
Douglas, you summed me up perfectly, well done!
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mrdane Regular user Sacramento / San Francisco 191 Posts |
Hey everyone
Are the shells that come with the Hopping Halves set of the same quality as the shells bought individually? Thanks! -Dane |
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manreb Special user 666 Posts |
Dane
I only have expenience with Johnson Keneddy both clad and silver. In my experiense thay are the same. I have no experiense with the english penny shell. Hope this helps. Joe |
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harry tim New user 52 Posts |
Dane-
I got a Johnson Sun and Moon set because it is a great value, and I use the half dollar shell every day. it looks great even from pretty close, and has good milling. The english penny shell in the set is nice also, but I use this shell much more and couldn't ask any more from it. I wanted a copper silver coin which also comes with this set but it is so thin that I couldn't ring it in for any other routine, I mean switch it for a real coin. I bought a separate copper silver, also from Johnson I believe, which is great. Harry |
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