I am by no means a great manipulator, but competent enough with my 2-inch Fakinis if my hands are dry. I don't do the billiard balls often as I mostly do children's birthdays and other semi-close-up venues.
While practicing for a stage show recently however, I find that if my hands prespire, the balls get very slippery. I've washed them, as well as my hands, which seems to help for a few minutes, but as soon as I sweat, I can't seem to hold the balls at all. I used to use the Vernets, which grip better under these conditions, but much prefer the look of the larger Fakinis.
As I usually prespire from stress before a show, this is a deal breaker unless I can find a way to keep my hands dry. I talked to a more accomplished manipulator who said the same thing, though he must sweat less than I do. He thinks it actually has to do with atmospheric conditions that cause the balls to lose their grip.
Has anyone else encountered this? Any suggestions for keeping my hands dry to better grip the balls? -- they literally seem to lose all their tackiness as soon as my hands are slightly moist.

Marc (THe Magic Man) Charisse

I don't know the official name for it, but there is a powder that professional baseball players and bowlers use to keep their hands dry. It looks like talcom powder. You might want to give that a try.

Kent

Some member of MagicCafé mentioned that he is using rosewood oil - I have never tried it but you can give it a try!

ROSIN is what you are thinking of Kent.

There are some hair gels that are very thick. Almost like a paste.
I believe ICE is one of them. A little dab could do you.

Is this the same rosin used for the violin?

Mcharisse

I have the same problems with Fakinis. Heres how I deal with it, maybe it can work for you:

For starters, make sure your Fakinis are clean. Dirty balls wont stick nicely no matter how dry your hands or the atmosphere is.

Right before a show I will wash my hands with soap and cold water. Cold water closes the pores and limits sweat from comeing thru...

Finally, just make sure you know your show. If my confidence is down, I sweat and fumble. But if I'm really comfortable with myself and my act, I'm not as nervous and in turn wont sweat.

to sum it up, clean balls, clean hands, and confidence....

maybe it can work for you;)

Thanks! I knew it wasn't talcom powder, but nothing else came to mind.

Kent

Try cheap hair spray. Go to the Dollar Store and buy a bottle. The cheaper the better. Spray the hair spray on your fingers. It will dry and will be tacky.

Probably, only powdered not solid form.

I was once experimenting with with my set of billiards, and I rubbed some rubber cement all over one ball, let it dry, and it had an unbeliveable ammount of grip to it, I could do some moves that I've never done before, It does come off after awhile, it does no damage to the ball so you can rub more on before each performance, Just thought I would throw you that idea!

Here is something else you can try. I use a hank ball in my manipulation act and it gets slippery. I tried liquid latex and it works very well. It dries clear and it peels right off with no damage to the hank ball. It will literary stick to your hand. You can get the liquid latex at a place that sells theatrical make-up or clown make-up. It is very cheap and works very well.

Thank you, everyone, for the many good suggestions. I'll experiment and report back.

Marc

For me patting my hands with fanning powder does the trick for sweaty hands.

I have found that if you wash your billiard balls and hands right before the show with "Dawn" dish soap it removes all oils and such. Also if you use "Corn huskers" hand lotion right before it gives your hand a tackiness .

Thanks, Stanyon.

Do they sell the powdered form? Or we convert the solid form into powder ourselves?

James Tong,

I do not know if they sell it in powdered form but I have seen performers and athletes crush up a block of rosin and use the powder on their hands. That has seemed to do well.

Thanks, Elliot. Looks like I have to crush a block of rosin into powder too. I'll give it a try.

I also think rosin would work, but it might also be problematic. You can get a small, rosin-filled pouch at sporting goods stores. (Check the baseball section) The powder will certainly help to dry the hands and make them hands tacky. You'll have to figure out a way to apply it just prior to your multiplying balls routine. It can be messy! I'm also not sure how it might effect your hands for other routines.

That's the challenge, Regan, and an interesting challenge. What works for one routine may not necessarily work for another. It's all trial and error and hopefully one day something work out great.