Hey folks,

I have a birthday coming up and wanted to learn about silk magic. I'm more interested in silk productions, vanishes, color-changes, etc., than goofy gags. (Classy and classic!) I have a palmo and a silk ball and a handful of diamond-shapes silks, but I'm not really sure how to use them effectively or where to go from here.

What is the best not-too-expensive resource to learn about handling? Through the dye tube? One of the Rice Encyclopedias? (Which one?) Are there DVDs, or is a book better?

Anyone want to sell me something of yours?

Thanks!
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

You can get all four volumes of Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic on CD for $40 from Hank Lee. They did a hack-up job transferring the material (misspellings, etc.), but if you can get by that and can read it on a computer, it's great to have it all in one place.

For videos/DVDs, I have a set of old "Why Knot Silks" videos from P&A Silks that I got at one of Peter's lectures. He only had the first three volumes at the time, but there are five now and are all on DVD. There's great info on them, but they are a little expensive.
You can't go wrong with Duane Laflin's material. While I don't have his DVDs, his lectures are always the tops. Great stuff, clearly explained, and a super guy to boot! His daughter takes care of online orders at Lock Family Magic.

Good luck on your new venture!

Duane Laflin has an excellent series of 3-4 DVDs on Silks, including one on the Hank Ball, one on the Palmo and others. I highly recommend them.

Daniel,

I think the Rice Encyclopedia Volume 2 will give you the biggest bang for your investment. It is a true reference rather than a few tricks.

Almost anything out there is good but sometimes money counts! Start with investments you'll use from now on.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

I'll second Bob's recommendation of Rice Vol. 2. I've used it far more than any other silk material I've bought. You will keep coming back to it.

Father Photius,

Thanks for not explaining to Daniel that I can even understand the pictures in Volume 2. (Reading comes hard in Alabama!) It works for me.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Did all the illustrations make it into the complete CD-ROM version?
-Dan

Yes, from what I've seen/remember, and I've been through all four volumes.

That sounds like the winner. Thanks, everyone!