I asked Frank that very question. His answer, "We tried that once, but, the balls fell apart when we added too much red coloring."

Kregg

The white ones show up better, anyway. But, if you need red ones, I think the Gorilla Grip balls are available in bright red.

I love Fakinis, though! They're what I own. I wish that the uncoated shells were available. I stocked up on a bunch of used ones. The coated shells have to be replaced too often, because the coating peels.

I have been using the Fakini Balls for years and they work really well. The wooden balls I've used in the past have been difficult to use and I never could figure out why. Recently, I purchased (for another routine) some balls manufactured by Owens Magic. I talked to Alan and he says the difference is in the finish and it's a really tedious process. The balls are wood and blow the Fakini Balls out of the water in terms of handling. So I'll be saving my money and purchasing a set of balls from Owen, maybe this year, and the Fakini's will go on the shelf.

One Word: FAKINI!!

Wood
You do have to be careful about the finish on the wooden balls and buy high quality ones. This is because once the ball is painted it needs to be coated in Shellac. This is a porous material, which means you need to warm up the balls as it were, because once your balls and hands are warm then the tack from the paint comes through. This gives you the good grip. Incidently this is wonderful for body loads and under hot stage lights.
To really upset some people... I've recently being reading the books of Benson and Wakeling, and they both (well, Benson taught Wakeling) recommend balls larger...larger than 2 inches. I've not tried them, but I can see why, and intend to try them for myself.
Paul

I own two sets of Fakini balls. A rocket red and a white set. Great product !

Is there anyway to get Fakinis in a dark red, or another good billard ball in the dark red color. I have always wanted to work with Fakinis, but white just doesn't fit my act.
Rob Pond

I have heard that they can not make them in pure red or a darker red as it starts to destroy the silicone. This is why you see the red Fakini balls are a much more subdued red color.

What I have done for simple color changes is to get super bounce balls at different toy stores. They work rather nicely and allow me to do color changes. When the balls wear out or get brittle, they are cheap enough for me to just buy a few more. This allows me to be creative without breaking my budget either.

Kyle

The Vernets have always worked well for me and are much easier to grip. Also, I like the matching zombie, which I have routined to follow the balls...

I still love my 48mm red wooden balls. I bought them several years back at a local shop that has since closed. They are the perfect size and weight, and the smooth finish of the paint grabs very nicely on my fingers and nothing else.

Cheers,
WoodRat

Personally, I hate the Vernet "spike" style balls. They really hurt when you use them for a long time. Or maybe I'm just a wuss.

DW

I have to agree with the other guys and girls. Fakini all the way. I've heard that the creator isn't very well so he has stopped making them, is that true?

Diane

After years of defending 1.5 inch Vernets,(including on this thread) and struggling to do a triple roll with them, I got to wrap my fingers around some Fakinis at Dennys in Baltimore today. I did the triple roll with the 2-inch balls before I even left the store, with a great new set of billiard balls, of course. If you like the balls at all, try the Fakinis, they sure made a believer out of me. Now I have to find a similar light white ball to add the zombie effect.

Hey,

To be honest I can only reccomend fakinis as they are the only balls that ive used and they are absolutely amazing. You can do all of the moves with these easily. Also if you are going to get a set get 2" in white as they look more like 2 1/8" (Alan Wakeling). If you don't think you can handle that size trust me you can. I have very small hands and so does denny from denny and lee magic and he can use 2 1/8".

Hope that helps,

Sam

Mcharisse,

You could always buy a large white styrofoam ball sold at most craft sections (like at Wal-Mart). I made a Zombie out of one and it is pretty cool.

Jeff

Jeff,

thanks, looked at those and thought about adding one for fu,. I also found some hollow plastic balls in a vending machine at toys are us that are exactly the same size as the 2-inch fakinis. Bought two - turned one into a zombie to float one of the multiplying balls, the other and hankerchief ball. A little testors white gloss and they match really well.

Fakini are the best- however, be prepared for a long wait if you're not getting white...I ordered the yellow in October and I am still waiting for them.

Sawuin2,

Yeah it is true that sometimes you will wait a long time. But it is definately worth the wait. Anyway if your practising a lot you should have to worry about the wait as you will be practising something else.

Sam