I need to replace a vintage silk that I got in a trunk of old magic. But the prices I've seen make me shutter. Has anyone had any experience with silks from on-line sources like E-bay?
Thanks,
Edd

Silks only cost a few dollars, I don't understand your problem. You had not mentioned what trick you were using the silk for, so it is hard to advise. The new diamond silks only cost $3.00.

I do not use commercial silk in magic. It is usually very heavy and will not perform properly.

As a last resort just wash, dry, and iron your vintage silk.

Oh, sorry, I guess more explaining is in need: I do a crystal silk chamber where I put 7 small silks into it and transform them into one giant tye dyed silk. The one I'm using right now (the vintage one) is atleast 10 feet long and 2 feet across. I can't just iron and wash it, it is developing holes in it and I've torn it a bit in one spot. The holes/tear don't show because I double the silk up to display it. To replace it with something only a fraction of the size would cost me $45 from Hughes magic. The ones I've seen are the same weight as the heavier silks Hughes sells.
Edd

Sometimes there's only one way to find out: give it a try. I have two of Richard Hughes silk streamers (each is 12 feet long). All I can say is that they are both stunning and excellent quality. I think I got my money's worth and will order form him again in the near future.

Jimmy

I like the silk streamers as well. Right now, in some of my smaller tricks, I'm using one from Magicwarehouse. It's 20 feet long, and very colorful, kids love it!
Good luck!

I briefly looked at a site on ebay. They may do the job for you or not. I believe that they are made of rolled hems which do not hold up too well the way we use silks. They are fine for women's scarfs and such but they just do not hold up.

The rolled hems are also bulkier. Also I really don't like the colorations on the silk. It might be ok if you are working a Greatful Dead concert but they are too busy for magic. Just a personal opinion.

If I can help you further, let me know. I might have something that would work out for you. You can always go to 6 mm which is thinner but still pretty strong (weave wise).

Richard,
What to you call the hems on your silks?

Obviously not rolled.

Thnx,
Bruce

Fccfp.

flat hems.

wizardofsorts

You can also try P&A silks. They make some very high quality silks including the streamers you are looking for.

give them a try, their website is http://www.PASILKS.com

They are double turned flat hems. They must be double turned to seal in the raw silk edge.

Well, I got my silk from the store on ebay I mentioned. It seems to work fine. It doesn't quite flow out of the cylinder when I pull it but it's a very subtle difference that I'm sure will not be detected. Of course I can't be sure how they will hold up because I've just got it but I could keep you updated. By the way, the one I got I don't think looks like a Greatful Dead Concert but it sure did smell like one.
Edd

Remember, you get what you pay for! I am sorry you do not see the value of a good product. Of course if you do free shows, I can understand your problem.

Hi, Edd! I took a chance on the silks from the person on E-Bay that you got them from. Not bad at all. I ordered two 24-foot streamers that were 12-inches wide. I originally wanted the heavier 8 momme silks but wound up getting the 5 momme streamers because I needed to compress them into a smaller space. The dye job was quite good. No hems at all though which I was concerned about but the seller responded very professionally throughout and even answered questions about hems versus no hems. Hey, I got both streamers for $60 and so far the lack of hems have not been a problem. I got these streamers for a Duke's Dye Version routine. One I got in yellow, blue, and red and the other streamer was neon green and purple ---- the latter is my favorite! Taking a chance paid off this time. I will order form her again depending on the need but will also order from Richard Hughes for streamers with hems a with a different artistic touch. Actually, I just got two silks from him with some hand drawn designs. I love silk magic!

Jimmy