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usa Regular user 183 Posts |
Interesting but usually complains about prices come from guys that buy .... "floating Svengali zombi invisible cards" for $25 on a whim.???
I guess a good close up mat is not magical enough. |
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ASW Inner circle 1879 Posts |
Yeah, and they're always the first in there posting questions about the Fitch-Kohler watchamacallit...
Whenever I find myself gripping anything too tightly I just ask myself "How would Guy Hollingworth hold this?"
A magician on the Genii Forum "I would respect VIPs if they respect history." Hideo Kato |
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Mike Powers Inner circle Midwest 2983 Posts |
Be careful if you plan to roll or fold the pad. Many pads will come apart over time when rolled. Or they will develop areas in the flocking that become detached from the rubber backing causing the pad to look damaged.
I have a Gibson 7x13 inch pad that is thinner than most. It has held up admirably when rolled and put under a bit of pressure. Most of the other pads I have used become damaged under these conditions. Perhaps some other pad users can comment on how various pads hold up under these conditions. Mike
Mike Powers
http://www.mallofmagic.com |
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Alessandro Scotti Loyal user Italy 263 Posts |
When I bought my pad the shop guy told me to always fold it with the "colored side" on the outside. This is maybe counter-intuitive because one would think that it would be more protected on the inside, however I have followed the advice and the pad has never been damaged even when it was folded for long periods.
Walk of Mind: the best source of bad magic
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Steve Friedberg Inner circle 1402 Posts |
Andrew/George/whatever...
Here, in defense of carpet samples as closeup pads, I 'umbly submit: Their inherent padding, built into the fiber, is perfect for those effects where you need to reach under the cards. Matrix lovers, rejoice. It's instantly recognizable to laity as "one o' them thar carpet pieces." No elitism here, my friend! And yes, they're cheap. $5 for three at my local carpet store...other stores will give them away. Sanscan, aka Howie Diddit, has noted this one elsewhere. Now for the downsides...you can't easily roll them up; heck, you can't roll them up at all. There's no gripping on the backside, unless you score a sample with it already attached. And other magi may recognize that you, too, are a cheap so-and-so who wishes to to get his close up mats at Color Tile, rather than spend mucho dinero at Penguin/Ronjo/Hank's/Denny's/Chris'/et al. But for my work, I'm very happy with the samples. They meet my need and it's something that others may wish to consider. My .02; YMMV.
Cheers,
Steve "A trick does not fool the eyes, but fools the brain." -- John Mulholland |
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Gazzo always said, "Professionals can't afford cheap props." That from a street performer who knows where the value is in sturdy, dependable and good-looking apparatus.
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redstreak Inner circle A.K.A David Kong 1368 Posts |
I got a large mousepad at Staples. I use if for effects like a coin matrix, invisible palm, and Skinner's monte and it works great. I don't know what you mean by "too slick". I can do a spread and flip-over fine.
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ASW Inner circle 1879 Posts |
Steve,
Each to his own, I suppose. As you indicate, it depends on who you want to perform for. I've been fortunate to perform for Hollywood film stars, numerous ambassadors and government Ministers, corporate execs and basically a higher class of spectator in some very nice venues (not name-dropping, just giving you a context). A carpet square, mouse pad, diaper or whatever, is simply not going to fit with the image I want to convey. If I worked in an auto shop and wanted to do some tricks for my buds, a carpet square would be totally appropriate. In regard to what mats I would use... I 'think' I have two smaller Gibsons and two very large Apollos (I'm not sure what the brands are). The smaller ones fit in a briefcase and on top of a fold out airplane table, hence I use them to practice as I travel. The larger pads are superior in surface quality - feel and appearance, and have lasted over six years each, with the green one just now starting to lift from the lining in a minor way at one spot - but that's because it has been around the world five or six times in my suitcase and seen many, many shows. I also have a Dean Dill pad, which is beautiful, but not great for a card worker because it has too much 'give' in the surface. I practice on table tops as well as pads and my favorite surface is fairly firm - a Kard Kushion which is a slightly padded round elasticated table cloth that grips a round dining table and turns it into a card table. This was given to me a by a friend (a card player) in Vegas. I'm not sure if they're still available. If I was a street magician, on the other hand, I think the Dill pad would be great on top of a waiter's tray stand. I have also used the pad in trade shows because it looks VERY classy and I don't do much shuffle work when I do these venues - most everything is up off the table and the pad is a mini stage to place props. best Andrew/George...
Whenever I find myself gripping anything too tightly I just ask myself "How would Guy Hollingworth hold this?"
A magician on the Genii Forum "I would respect VIPs if they respect history." Hideo Kato |
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
I needed a portable pad to roll up and stick in my backpack that I now carry for Street performing.
I bought a $5.99 foam close-up pad (about 3/8" think) with a nice red card surface from my local magic shop (Yendor's House of Magic). But the problem was that it was too light weight and when I unfolded it, it wanted to stay curled up. Coincidently, I had previously picked up some large pads about the same size as the closeup pads, that also about 3/8 thick, but much denser and heavier rubber. I had thought they might make good closeup pads, but the surface was too slick. (A lot like a mouse pad) I got them at a computer show where they were touted as Printer dampers (sit under printer and dissipate the vibrations from the older printers). Any I got them at $2 each. Amazingly, they are exactly the same outline as the lightweight closeup mats. I used spray adhesive to stick them together and now have a great little roll-up closeup mat that can be stored rolled up for days, and still come out and immediately lay flat. The rolled up pad is about 6 inches in diameter when rolled up, only cost $8 total, and fits in my backpack. It beats dragging a full close up pad along, and let;s me do cards in places I couldn't do before. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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markyeager Regular user 191 Posts |
When I was working at Malone's, the close up pads would get stained with drinks clients spilled . I used the Gibson's from Haines House of Cards. The price was approx $10.00. I liked the feel of the cards on them. They will wrinkle if folded, but not if it is rolled. I like performing without a pad. It allows more room for client's drinks. I also like the fact that the Gibson's are easy to cut, creating smaller pads.
It's Fun to be Fooled
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Dave Shepherd Regular user Washington, DC 116 Posts |
Hank Lee's are pretty good. Basic, rather sturdy rubber and fuzz. They hold up well.
In restaurants I use a pad about 6 by 10 inches. I buy one of the biggest ones from Hank (which are also a bit heavier than the smaller ones) and cut them to size. I get about four or five of my pads out of one of those. |
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