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Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
After a long hiatus, I've developed a CC knife routine. I showed my daughter's friend, and he spotted the gaff* (I probably should have performed on my knees).
Now I'm looking, over-critically, and I feel I can see the workings at almost every angle, except dead on. No-one over 4 feet tall says they can tell how it's done, but I'm finding it hard to believe. This is a rare time that I long for my ex-wife's critical eyes. Has anyone stopped using Mogar knives for this reason? Or am I running from something that isn't chasing me? * of course,I covered. Worked it in to the routine, made it a highlight, Yadda, yadda, yadda.....
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
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padre rich Special user 635 Posts |
I stopped using them for a while because I got busted at a gig for the gaff. I was bitter and didn't use them for a while. The truth is that I screwed up and didn't kill the angle like I should have - It's not the knives fault! Mogar knives are workers (I do think they could be thinner) . Now I'm just mindful of the angles. Until I can afford my dream set of knives - J.P. Jackson "Buck Set" $200 or so - I'll use the Mogar's
God's grace rocks! It makes a good cups and balls routine look pretty boring in comparison.
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KeithP Regular user 171 Posts |
Chad Long has flash drives that I think have better angles than knives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL3Hm0N-PPk |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
The flash drives are harder to handle. So are the small Swiss Army Knives.
If you get busted, you are doing it wrong.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I don't find Chad's hard to handle at all. I think they are great and timely.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Go with Chad's flash drives. They are essentially angle proof, easy to handle, and make more sense in this day and age. Plus, you can take them thru security checkpoints.
I had to turn over my pocket knife while entering a county fair last summer. I also like the fact that the cap and body separate and allow for more potential routines than the knives. I predict that it won't be long before the CC knives will only be purchased by collectors. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Maybe I'm holding them wrong. I never get busted on color changing knives, though.
However, it might be my routine. I don't do a normal CCK routine. I do a very simple transposition, based on Nic Niberco's routine. As far as "making more sense in this day and age" is concerned, I doubt that. I don't even think that's relevant. I guarantee you that I can make ANYTHING relevant to magic. Maybe you haven't figured out how to do that. Don't kid yourself about CC knives. They will be around as long as people make pocketknives. Once someone finds a substitute (re computers) for flash drives, you will probably find people doing routines with whatever replaces flash drives.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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BobMc Regular user Philadelphia 151 Posts |
I do think there is value in taking the concept and molding it to common things that many people carry these days. Years ago, I used to carry a mini-pocket knife on my keychain. Airport security took that away from me one day when I was running late for a flight. Now I have way too many supermarket discount cards on my keychain, along with a usb drive. I do like the idea of the flash drives.
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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-05 00:12, Bill Palmer wrote: Bill, my point was that there is a difference between needing to make a prop relevant and it just being relevant right out of the box because of what it is. Most everyone in my circles uses and is familiar with a flash drive, not so much the case with a pocketknife. If I'm performing this as an "impromptu" effect just because I "happen" to have it in my pocket then the drives make way more sense and are far easier to relate to for me, you and others might have more luck with a knife. Interesting that Victorinox started including flash drives in some of their Swiss Army knives in order to make them more relevant in today's marketplace and try to boost sagging sales. The truth is that this trick can be successful with almost any object, but I believe it is improved by using an object that most people are familiar with and that many use almost daily. A drive fits this bill better for ME. A pocket knife is so last millennium. Plus, I do like the fact that you get a removable cap with the flash drive that opens up possibilities that just can't be done with a knife. Also, many flash drives (especially Kingston) come in various colors so spectators are often aware of this and I feel it enhances the mystery. Also, it makes more sense to be carrying two flash drives rather than two knives if your routine uses two. The large jumbo drive is a nice ending because nothing like that really exists so it is comical looking and even though this could diminish the belief that everything in the routine is genuine and real, this is overshadowed in my opinion by the fact that in this day and age everyone can relate to wanting more memory capacity. I still like the CC knives. I used to practically collect them and can still appreciate the quality and beauty of a well-made set. But for performing, the drives rendered them obsolete. After all, you can still buy typewriters and use them to write letters, but how many people today can much better relate to a computer for achieving that same task. Does that make sense? Well, maybe not a great analogy but I think you understand my point. As far as ease of use, the drives are very simple to handle. Slightly harder to operate than some knives, but also easier than many knives I've used. I don't find the grip to be significantly different than many of the knives and paddles I've used over the years. Every time I've switched to a different knife or paddle, it takes a minute or two to become as comfortable with it. The main difference I've found is that most knives are heavier and have more heft to them. The flash drives are fairly lightweight. Kind of like using aluminum cups versus heavy copper cups. Yet even though I prefer the feel of my favorite knife set, this is trumped by the fact that the drives are more commonplace and acceptable in my world, and people relate to them better. I guess that's the thing, it's one thing to get a spectator to accept a prop, but it's even better if they can actually relate to it. Many more people will relate to a flash drive than a knife or some bizarre paddle. Now this all is primarily from the point of view of the routine appearing impromptu, if you're working a gig as a magician then the props you use are seen in a different light. |
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kentfgunn Inner circle Merritt Island FL 1639 Posts |
Josh, you're overthinking it a bit.
Videoman - you've fallen off the end of the world. Show one hundred people a pocket knife and a flash drive and 95 of them will know exactly what both items are. You'll get some fall-off if you pick a crowd heavily weighted on either end of the age spectrum. They're pocket knives. Real men still carry knives you know. They're tools that men have carried for millenia. This week's flavor of the month for portable data storage will go the way of the floppy drive before I finish typing this sentence. If you like the flash drives, by all means perform with them. Don't be so blinded by your love of technology that you discount age-old props that will have meaning for a very, very long time. Oh and the typewriter analogy was a stretch, at best. I would like to see your turnover move with an IBM selectric though! It's all in fun. Use the props you like regardless of your motivation. KG |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Last time I tried the move with an IBM Selectric II, I got a hernia.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
By the way, you can't buy a typewriter(new) anymore - the last factory closed recently!
I'm a fan of CCK, especially Joe Mogar's. Real,well made pocket knives. He does make "the Perfect Knife" which virtually eliminates flashing. I prefer the stag set, which to me seems to be very natural. Hudson |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
For what it's worth... I developed a routine many years ago that diffuses the gaff by embracing it. They can't bust me because I've taken their weapon away from them before they can use it. I use 2 knives, neither of which is solid, and they freely handle one of them during the routine!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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atinczor Regular user New York / Istanbul 113 Posts |
I have been using the Joe Mogar CC knives for the past two years and never had a problem with them as far as flashing goes.. I also purchased his DVD on the subject, which is very good.
If you are getting busted, you must be doing something wrong with the paddle move.. As Joe explains in his DVD, you are not supposed to be doing the classic paddle move. Just use your wrist in a speedy motion, not your whole arm, if you are doing so.. Hope I am not revealing much.. Just my 2 cents.. |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Maybe there are local differences. If I pulled out a pocket knife in a restaurant or bar around here everyone would know what it was, but very few people would be happy about seeing it.
Colour changine steak knives would be fine... John
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Hi guys!
This whole knife thing started with 9/11. I loved my Mogar knives! That's why I miss them so much after they were confiscated at the Clearwater Airport in Florida! I had to explain to the folks for quite a while why I was carrying them, and I lost them anyway! For the price of that set, if, and I mean if, I ever replace them, they will not leave the house. Being politically correct is fine, as long as you don't lose money over it! The Clearwater Security did not find my Mogar knives amusing, and said I should be very careful in the future. Since I won't be going back to Florida anytime soon, that was a lesson well learned. Fire Wallets are also out. Try that in a bank today! Doug |
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Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
Thanks to the few who answered my question.
Hudson, Thanks! I forgot about his perfect knives. I think I'll go that route. For those of you who rushed to comment without reading my post: I got busted one time, by a child who was very short. I realized I needed to be lower. I covered my mistake, and worked it into a successful routine. If I'm lame at something, I'll be the first to admit it. But my knife handling is fairly exquisite, well researched and thought out. My observation was looking at the knife a few inches off of center, catching a sliver of the working part. It is not a handling issue. I'm sure with the knife in motion, and the face being the focus, this is a non-issue. I was just wondering if anyone had put thought into the mater.
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Josh, folks
I spent a few years looking for the right kind/brand of USB thumb drives for doing a color changing knives type routine. I settled on Lexar Sport Jumpdrives with the rubber outer shell and the smaller plastic inserts. All you have to do is pop off the colored plastic that comes on the drives and replace to taste for your routines. I showed a prototype to Joe Mogar some years ago at a convention and that did not wind up going anywhere - but I am pleased to see that someone else understood just how awkward it is to carry a knife these days and offered a USB drive product to the market. Feel free to PM or email for more details if you wish, Jon
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Gary Kosnitzky Elite user 409 Posts |
Mogar Perfect Knives are the smartest design I have seen.
For close up they are priceless. |
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55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-07 11:32, Magnus Eisengrim wrote: There most certainly are regional differences. In the Midwest it is very normal for someone to have a pocket knife. I suspect in the San Francisco Bay Area a thumb drive might be more common ... Traveling with them by air is a different issue. I never check bags (travel regularly) so have to leave the CCK behind :-(. Hudson |
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