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MagicGSX New user 1 Post |
I am looking to buy an appearing cane. Can someone tell me which is considered the best black appearing metal cane on the market. I am considering the newer silver streak model, but am a fan of the traditional black with white tip.
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Bengi Veteran user Georgia 309 Posts |
I've tried several....In my opinion, no one will out-do Fantasio
Bengi |
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Mitch Regular user Toronto, Canada 157 Posts |
I picked up a used Harakhan cane (Japanese)earlier this year as they are considered the best.
They are bronze in colour and are very fast and tight when opened. You can pick one up at stevensmagic.com for about $100 including shipping (if you are in U.S.) imagine more if outside U.S. I love mine.
Mitch Solway
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Magic, first of all you might ask yourself, why do you want a cane?
The late Sid Lorraine said to me one time that magic must be logical, albeit a sort of strange logic. And, he added, how many people today use walking sticks? The vanishing/appearing/dancing cane is much like the giant die in the die box: Who has ever seen such a thing, other than as a magic prop? If the "cane" is a pool cue, in a routine based on a pool room, then it will work. But to come on stage with a walking stick, for no apparent reason (other than the obvious: it's a magic prop) just isn't logical. However, if you insist on it, the Fantasio products are probably the best for your buck. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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Chad Sanborn Inner circle my fingers hurt from typing, 2205 Posts |
Quote:
Magic, first of all you might ask yourself, why do you want a cane? Nothing magicians do is logical. If it was, we wouldn’t fool anybody. Its ok to be illogical. but not ok to be unnatural. There is a difference. Chad |
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Bengi Veteran user Georgia 309 Posts |
If it weren't for my appearing cane, my appearing dove would have nowhere to perch!!!!
Bengi |
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Wallace Loyal user Bangor, Northern Ireland 208 Posts |
Thanks folks who use the Fantasio, I’ll stick with my German steel model, it doesn’t ’wobble’!!
Mind you I must admit that the Fantasio Vanishing Cane is a heck of a lot safer than a steel one....preserves the fingers!! _________________ Wallace B
Wallace B
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Rich New user UK 7 Posts |
I have in the past used several types of canes. Fantasio ones look good, but can be slightly flimsy when first produced, being made from plastic. I currently use the silver streak metal cane from The Trickery, which is very visible, easy and once produced really does look like a solid piece of steel. I think it is ok in my act, because mine is a more magical act and so a few things don’t exactly look ’natural’ things that you would find at home. (Remember I also use Vernet multiplying balls).
So if you were getting one for the first time, I would recommend a black Fantasio one. _________________ Rich - Penna.org.uk |
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
In case anyone is interested, Paul Diamond has a segment on his recent video series on the proper care and handling of an appearing cane. It's on video No. 9 "A Magician's Best Friend". There may not be much there for someone who has used a cane for a while. If you're new to the prop though, he has some nice tips.
Scott O.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Bengi makes a valid point: his cane is used as a place for his doves to perch; that's logical that he would have a cane.
And Chadmagic, yes, everything we do is illogial, but it MUST be within a context to be believable as magic, rather than just tricks. It has to have a certain "logical illogic", if you will. Coins are money, can be spent, and people carry them. You could do exactly the same thing with metal discs -- but it wouldn't be logical. The doll house is so named because it is, theoretcially, too small for a human (hence the surprise when one appears in it). You could do the same thing with a "magic box" -- but, then, it wouldn't be magical because is wouldn't be logical (of course someone can fit in a magic box; didn't you just call it a magic box!) So everything we do isn't illogical, if you think about it. (Or shouldn't be.) If it is, then you are just doing tricks and not magic (to repeat myself). cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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Jeb Sherrill Inner circle Elsewhere 1161 Posts |
Appearing canes are one of my favourite stage productions and I've used several. I hate Fantasios (my first cane) way too flimsy. The German one is good. I haven't tried the silver streak, but I'd like too. If you can track one down I seriously suggest a Walsh. To me they've always been the smoothest and the fastest.
Cheers, Sable
I don't believe in reincarnation, but I may have in another life.
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dorbolo New user 53 Posts |
Peter,
Your view of magic is very interesting to me. I think that you are saying that the total effect must be something that the spectator can relate to personally and assimilate mentally. "Logical" here, will mean the same as "coherent." Is this what you have in mind? It does not follow, though, that a logical progression of a routine requires that the props and setting be ordinary objects. Last June I saw Shimada pull canes, parasols, silks, cards, and a flock of doves out of thin air on stage with no explanation and very minimal movement. It was stunningly beautiful. Logical? Well, sure. Each effect built on the last to create a crescendo of tension and aniticipation. Bill Tarr uses colored poker chips in place of coins. Michael Skinners linking rings were poetry in motion. Not ordinary objects, but not ordinary performers either. Great performers create moments of sheer beauty and mystery. The logic is in the structure of the act, which can accommodate unusual and exotic props and settings as well as ordinary ones. Different magicians have different objectives. Perhaps, if the objective is to convince an audience that you have a certain power, then it is important to avoid unusual props. But if the objective is to give the audience an experience of beautiful astonishment, then the exotic can be as effective as the ordinary. What do you think? In good spirit, Jon |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Justifing the reason to use an appearing or disappearing cane can be overdone.
I use the Walsh steel cane for the introduction warm-up for my kids show and the vanishing Walsh steel cane to a "The End" 36 inch silk for a close. All work with the same magical word from the kids. I also have numerous Fantasio canes and candles. His book, effects and routines are great, that is if you do Fantasio stuff. _________________ Dennis Dowhy (800) 927-6671 www.Magic-Magic.com [email]DennisDowhy@magic-magic.com[/email]
Dennis Michael
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Jon, you point out that Bill Tarr uses colored poker chips instead of coins.
Exactly my point! What he doesn't use is blank metal discs or something like that; something that has no relevance to the audience. Perhaps "logical" is not the word; "relevant" might be better. Or even "sensible". For example, take that old standby, the Die Box. Who has ever seen a die that size being used, other than by Bob Barker on The Price Is Right and by magicians? Therefore, since you obviously aren't running a television game show, the die is a magic prop and has little relevance to the audience. The Linking Rings may be considered beautiful but what are they -- other than magic props? Of course Shimada can get away with producing parasols and silks; he's doing an Oriental act. After all, he's Japanese and, in that context, what he does is logcial, relevant, and sensible. A clown may use a vanishing/appearing cane (in colors, perhaps) and get away with it. A magician in white tie and tails may use a vanishing/appearing cane (in black with white tips) and get away with it. But a magicians in jeans and a psychedelic T-shirt most certainly shouldn't use a standard walking stick; it is not relevant or sensible. The props that you use must fit the persona you are creating (which, after all, is really another magic prop). Otherwise, you lower magic to a demonstration of how well you handle magic props -- a sort of "look what I can do and you can't" type of thing -- and that's just plain bad! cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Quote:
You might be over simplifying things here; there are, in fact, many things that magicians do that are COMPLETELY logical. For just one example, an entire set can be devoted to demonstrating various gambling techniques and scams; many magicians do exactly this type of set and there may very well be NOTHING illogical in the entire act. More on point, however, I would suggest that Peter probably meant to convey it's usually conisdered a good idea to have logical MOTIVATION in your act. Since walking sticks similar to the standard appearing cane went out of style long before any of us were born, he's probably right to question such a choice. Personally, I think things like the appearing cane are what laymen who don't like magic think of when magic is mentioned. Regards, Thomas Wayne
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Jeb Sherrill Inner circle Elsewhere 1161 Posts |
Thomas Wayne wrote:
You might be over simplifying things here; there are, in fact, many things that magicians do that are COMPLETELY logical. For just one example, an entire set can be devoted to demonstrating various gambling techniques and scams; many magicians do exactly this type of set and there may very well be NOTHING illogical in the entire act. ____________________________________________ I'd be very careful with the terms "completely" and "nothing". There is nothing the least bit logical about anything we do from a certain angle. Shamada may be up on stage in his full Japanese regalia producing Japanese items, but why. That is a type of logic yes, but where we draw the line is very grey and I suggest great hesitation in drawing those types of lines anywhere when describing what others should and shouldn’t do. Scams, gambling techniques and Japanese motifs may serve as themes, but LOGICAL? We as magicians have defined and redefined what "magic-logic" is over the years and will continue to do so. For the record I agree with themes and to a great degree I agree with themes and magic making sense in the way you meant, but like so many things it will depend on style. I can't get too far into this because the subject is just too vast, but for me to make a cane appear in my hand while I'm wearing blue jeans may not make sense, but it does look cool no matter what and the question arises, "why am I doing this". After all, that guy up on stage in the tuxedo with tails making the same cane appear might make you ask, "what's he doing up there in a tuxedo, that's doesn't make any sense? Shoot, where did he get tails?" For the record I'm not saying the blue jeans weren't out of place with an appearing cane, or that I think the other guy shouldn't wear a tuxedo, but we do have to be careful making statements like, "this makes sense and that doesn't". At the very least we had better define our terms. Besides, this thread was supposed to be about what the best appearing canes were, not should we even use them. I love my canes because I love the effect and that’s about the bottom line in my act (though no, I don’t wear blue jeans). Sable
I don't believe in reincarnation, but I may have in another life.
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Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Quote:
Though it may have been unintentional, thanks for the laugh, Sable. Truly, the admonishment followed IMMEDIATELY by the perfect example made me laugh out loud. Regards, Thomas Wayne
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Jeb Sherrill Inner circle Elsewhere 1161 Posts |
I'm glad you caught it. I almost put NOTHING in caps, but decided against it, afraid it might be read as mocking. My favourite jokes are usually too subtle for most to catch. You are indeed a scholar and a gentlemen. I guess that goes without saying though; from your posts I think you read more than I do.
Sable
I don't believe in reincarnation, but I may have in another life.
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funmagic New user Patrick Cordier 29 Posts |
I cut my hand quite badly with my first steel vanishing cane many years ago and have since used the fantasio plastic canes which I find perfect both in quality and price.
I open my kid shows by selecting a magic wand from a dozen or so on my table which also includes my cane. Every wand is different..some explode, some collapse, some fly out of my hand and some even make noises. The last one I try is a Silver Scepter (perfect for kid shows)...when I've finished with the Silver Scepter I say "Oh I have no more wands left" however, the kids are quick to point out my cane laying on the table, I then pick it us and go to the front of my table saying "Don't be silly, this is not a wand it's my magic handkerchief" which gets the kids screaming. I then vanish the cane revealing a large silk. As a matter of interest, the silk I use is a black and white paterned which helps hide the rolled up cane. I have also sewn the cane end about a third of the way up from the corner of the silk which again helps hide the rolled up cane. The selecting of the wand makes for a great warm up and the flash silk production from the cane makes for an excellent opening. |
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Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
This discussion brings to mind a marvelous essay by Eugene Burger on "self-deception and the Walsh cane."
It's in one of his more recent books (possibly "The Experience of Magic." I'll look up the reference and correct this post if necessary). Posted: Mar 7, 2002 9:28pm I found it: From "The Experience of Magic" - pg. 68 - "Collapsible Canes and Self-Deception." A very interesting essay. It might be painful to read it.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
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