New to silk magic, saw a David Ginn Lecture this weekend and bought one of his routines minus the $99 6ft silk. Just wondering since I'm new to it and wanna have a BIG SILK finish to the effect, should I expect them to always be that high?

$99 is on the low side for a 6' x 6' silk. At some dealers, they are $125 - $150. These are the new 6' silks that are mass produced (rabbit in hat, dragon, clown face, butterfly).

There are also 36" versions of the same designs that are mass produced. They range from $30 to $40, depending where you buy them.

(A 6' silk is 4x the amount of silk as a 36" silk.)

The original 6' x 6' silks, before these new mass produced ones, were around $300+, I think. I bought a used 6' Rice's Dragon silk for $100, and it was a good deal. Look through sites like Rice's and P&A to get some perspective about prices of larger silks.

I bought a new 6' x 6' tie dye silk from Richard Hughes for around $200 years ago, and it was a great deal for the quality and workmanship.

I'm happy to invest in some quality products for my show that have a great impact.

- Donald

Go ahead and pay the money. With proper care, the silks will last longer than you will. They are a great investment for stage magic. They fold flat and play big.

In my experience with silks, you truly "get what you pay for"... Take good care of a Rice or P&A silk, and it will be around LOOOOONG after you're gone...

I've paid close to $300 for a 6x6, and I have paid about $75. They're not the same...

As to Rice Silk quality, see this:

http://www.silkkingmagic.com/featured.htm

and the main site is here (just click on the picture):

http://www.silkkingmagic.com

If you have any questions, just get in touch with Ruth Rice. She'll be glad to help you!

Doug

My P&A Silks still look like new -- and the ones that are 10 years old are great in color and crispness. They ran $600 each.

It is all a matter of perspective of what you wish to do with silk magic -- pro, hobby or dabble.

No, I understand that quality is pricey right now. I was just looking for one to finish an effect I bought from David Ginn. He used a very large one and was selling it for $99, but I just wasn't sure if that was standard or not. Who knows, I might be wanting more from time to time and it would be done at paid performances, but I just haven't gotten there yet. Right now just looking around, but thanks a lot for all the replies. Good to know there are still people on this site that wanna help and not sit and debate. Thanks again, guys.

The ones David is selling are 5 momme silks. I prefer a 6 momme (if packing tight) or an 8 momme if there is room.

But I do understand finanaces on these things.

Richard

Honestly, if finances are tight, you would probably be okay with David's silks. If you perform hundreds of times a year, they won't hold up forever, but if you are a "weekend warrior", they will probably work fine.

Good grief! I just checked the prices on a 6 foot quality silk. I about fell out of my chair! $300 - $400! Yeah...if David Ginn is selling it for $99, whoa! Good price!

Doug

My six footers are $175, 8 momme.

Richard

I own one of Blackstone Jr.'s 6 ft dragon silks, paid around $450.00 for it on auction, also have a 3 of his 50 ft streamers (made of 36 inch silks sewn together) you can see these in action on the Blackstone Magical Memories DVD during the Christmas sequence with the drum illusion. I freaked when I saw the DVD and saw my silks in use!

Wow, Richard...good price! And 8 momme. Can't go wrong, there!

Doug

This is what a 6' x 6' tie dye silk by Richard Hughes looks like:

http://www.donalddunphy.com/assets/DDunp......hoto.jpg

It's a thing of beauty!

- Donald

Please realize that no two tie dyes are identical. They are similar but not identical.

I have several photos of ones I have done. I just sent some photos to a guy of what I had in stock so he could pick out what he wanted. I can't promise to always do that but I can try.

Richard