I have two standard sets of linking rings. I have an 8" and a 12". For a close up show in a room that's about the size of a living room, what would be the best size?

I'd go with the 8".

If it were Strolling Magic I'd use Ninjas or the like.

The bigger rings seem large for Strolling or Close-Up.

-Mary Mowder

I use 3 8" rings for a thousand high school kids, and they work just fine. (They pack easy, too.) I started using 10" Merv Taylor rings in 1971, and changed to the 8", the following season.

I also use Frank Radtke's 1 3/4" balls, and, NO ONE has ever said that they couldn't see the balls. --(probably because I wear a black shirt and they are white balls.)

Jay Marshall used 9" rings. He made them himself so he could do the over the head nose gag. He made them, and had them chromed later. He made 6 rings. He told me that, later, he realized that he was using only 5 rings,so he red lighted one ring!

I use Paul Romhany's Linking Hearts. Easy to carry and the hearts open the door for a more entertaining presentation, IMO.

RNK

I second the use of Linking Hearts. Don't understand why they aren't more popular.

Nor do I funsway. I had these for a few years and never gave them a go. I realized what I was missing after the first time I used them at an event. People were truly baffled and loved the heart theme!

RNK

Perhaps because they don't offer the same optical illusion that a round ring offers to hide the fact that the space where the g** is, is staying under cover.

-Mary Mowder

The g** can be filled in a special way and the entire ring dangled from the finger. Also, the twirl of the heart can be done that shows all sides without detection.

In my experience ( even with magicians) the unique link and unlink advantages outweigh this possible disadvantage.

But, you may be correct that a fear of loosing this move may prevent some from exploring the advantages.

Using the single ring for Ring on Rope effects is very well received even if the Linking part is not used.

I like to start with all four rings linked together dangling from my thumb. Next the bottom one is removed leaving three, then another leaving two dangling.
Next I separate the last lower ring and offer a spectator a choice of which to hold. I then do R&R effects with that before doing my full Linking routine.

You cannot do this with regular rings. and all very close up, which was the original question.

I use the nina size rings for close-up and they are fantastic.
I consider this trick to be one of the greatest things you can do, close-up.

I agree.

Nice to see you back Frank.

-Mary Mowder

Alas, no love for the McAbee Rings...

They are nice but seem thin and "cheap" next to Ninjas.

The rick rack form of the McAbee Rings is not as simple and clear a vision as solid round rings so the effect is slightly diminished.

Still there is no doubt that Martin Lewis is fun and amazing to watch. He really does make it work.

-Mary Mowder

The James Riser McAbee Rings are by no definition *cheap*...

The Making of The McAbee Rings

I didn't say they were cheap. LOL

-Mary

I decided to go with the 8" rings and so far have done two shows with them. I think I'll be incorperating them in my show regularly now. Not sure if I'll ever use the 12". As cool as they are, they're too big and I feel that I manipulate the 8" rings with greater ease.

Dai Vernon used a solid looking set of 5-inch rings close-up.

I am a big fan of the MagiKraft Studios McAbee rings - http://www.magikraft.com/. I have the James Riser manufactured version (nickel silver with no plating) that they sell and don't think they look cheap. They simply look like silver women's bracelets and are ideal for extreme closeup. Certainly they do look "ordinary" since they just look like bracelets but I think that can be an advantage. With the Riser version, there is no plating that can wear off and cause the rings to look bad. 50 years from now, they should still look the same. And, due to the mechanical design of the rings and material of construction, it is almost impossible to see the secret. I have a very hard time finding it myself without resorting to touch. Because of their size (2.75 inches in outer diameter), it is possible to switch out the gaff for a regular ring which allows the spectators to examine the rings. Plus, they're easy to carry and fit into a jacket pocket for spur of the moment use. With these, you can do a linking ring routine anywhere and anytime and be as close as possible to the spectator.

I like the Martin Lewis clip above, I am new to close up work, but may look into the close up rings, who sells the best and maybe a DVD with them. Message me please,

Martin Lewis could make "Forgetful Freddie" seem like an amazing miracle ......