How about real/fake iron bar bending?

Chains - cuffs escapology?

also

I encore the gimmicked sword swallow, but for an alternative to swallow try this impromptu Head Spike.

I have used a real sword with a thin shiny steel bar same width as the blade (like a table knife minus its handle) and clinging to the real blade with a strong NIB magnet.

You slide the tip hidden behind the real blade by 'polishing the blade' with a rag.

When you are ready you push the false tip as far as possible beyond the real tip and hold the two at the actual real tip with the rag.

Now you can put the sword hilt on the ground and push the fake blade back down into the rag by pressing down with your forehead.

Looks like the blade is driving up into your skull. Have the real tip blunted in case you become over enthusiastic.

that's geeky.

[quote]On 2001-12-12 11:26, Prophet wrote:
Is the Sword ladder in swami mantra? You know the one where a performer climbs up on the edges of swords like a ladder?


Actually, it is in Swami Mantra. It is called Dracula's ladder.

[quote]On 2001-12-12 11:26, Prophet wrote:
Is the Sword ladder in swami mantra? You know the one where a performer climbs up on the edges of swords like a ladder?
_______________

Yours In Magic

Mike

It is on pg 71 in Swami/Mantra, listed as Dracula's ladder
Slim & Krista Price


[quote]On 2002-02-21 12:36, Burt Yaroch wrote:


I feel like I'm having a conversation with my wife here. Who are these quotatious persons and why are they the measure of my manner?

And since you have become the resident P.C. Police Eric, let me point out that most words, in and of themselves, are not derogoatory (this includes geek and redneck). They only become such with the users context or intent. Even racial epithets may be both detracting and amiable.

I guess what I'm trying to say is while I appreciate your forthrightness and respect your opinions, we literally have an entire globes worth of dialects and languages here at the Café. Thus any one persons concept of what is and is not derogatory cannot be applied universally (we can't even agree on what "impromptu" means).

You just have to understand that we are all adults, we are all guests of Steve and Co., so none of us would ever stoop to belittling another. If someone were to, I'm sure the moderators would be all over them. Just a thought.


Eric's statement is both valid and accurate!
In the sideshow, a geek is considered the "bottom of the barrel" Usually sick both in mind and body, they will do anything to get a fix of whatever they use, and are shunned (Not our practice with other performers)
As an adult, I'm sure you will realize that proper language use is a curtesy.



From Slim Price...
If we do it for real, you call it "Geek Magic" but if you fake it, you call it real magic. Somethin's not right here!

I understood that a Geek was the legitimately used term (used by those 'in the know') for the sideshow act in which live or raw animals are eaten or bitten into.
The Enigma's entomophagy springs to mind.

Tim

PS I would love to hear more about brainman's 'throwing up worms'!

A word on the ladder of swords: don't!

As for strong man stunts: The Joe Weider bodybuilding course included a booklet of strongman stunts among the "bonus books" that came with the course. It included tearing card decks and phone books, bending spikes, barehand spike driving, resisting the pull of 4 people, etc.

Steve

I guess if you want to associate yourself with geeks, you know best. Geeks were usually winos or junkies who were so desperate for a fix that they would bite the heads off of rats, chickens. and or snakes. Words mean something.
Slim Price
By the way my wife and I teach all the sideshow acts for free in San Diego CA. We charge nothing, put you up and feed you for up to three days. We love the shows and I spent 50 years learning the art. Get a teacher, even if you know it all, it never hurts to have someone who can watch and point out possibly better ways to do the acts.

I haven't seen anyone mention Bile Dew. Go to my nephew's page, http://www.georgethegiant.com

He is a famous performer and does a piece where he drinks a liquid, it is pumped back out of his stomach and served. That is about the grossest thing I have ever heard of, but it was LA of course.

On a higher note, he is a real sword swallower and, no, you probably don't want to learn that. Trust me.

The sword ladder effect can indeed be found in Swami / Mantra - on page 71 of the Mantra half of the book. Oh, and it's listed as Dracula's Ladder!

Saxon

Aren't there some good explanations for these kinds of effects in Houdini's book on carny type stuff? - I can't remember the name of it though.

The Houdini book is Miracle Monger's and Their Methods. The history part of the book is good, but the some of the explanations are of dubious value.

Look here: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......23&1