I am the proud owner of one of this rare illusion (I bought this one about 8 years ago from the guy who ordered it directly from Tabman and only used it once), however, the way economics are I will probably have to sell it again and am therefore looking for more informations.

Of course I have also contacted the owners of the Tabman-page directly, but so far have not yet gotten an answer.

What I am interested in is
a) how many of this illusion were built in total? I heard something of about 10 - 15, but I would like to know the exact number.
b) is the one I own the only one that made it overseas?
c) any additional infos/trivia

Thany you for any help which will be very much appreciated!

Tabman magic by Tabby Crabb has a whole chapter on the arm buzz saw. Looks like the first one was custom built for Kozak. Three more were built after that the last of wich was built for Christian Linderman in Germany. Very interesting book.

I recall hearing that the one owned by Kozak was sold (seems I recall hearing Joe Givan's name??). I had also heard this was the one used by Dan Sperry on AGT. Supposedly, Tabman was to be working on one for Dan, but that never manifested, and the one had to be borrowed.

You should verify all the info that I am offering, as none of it came directly from any of the named people, but it may give you some leads to follow. My apologies in advance if this is incorrect.

I own the last one Tabman ever built. Kozak is my best friend and gave me rights/"OK" to use his routine and have one built. I got to know Tabby the last few years of his life and he was a really great guy. As many of you know he was sick around the time I was doing AGT. He had begun building me the arm saw but because of his condition it took months and months to build it - which was OK with me, I didn't want to rush him. It was being completed at the time of AGT but because of a few modifications I made to my version it wasn't done in time and I did use my other close friend, Joe Givan's. Joe own's Kozak's original version and is the only other person allowed to do Kozak's routine. Tabby's book is great and worth purchasing. He was an amazingly skilled builder and I'm really honored to have known him - he even signed/burnt his name into my arm saw. A piece I will really treasure for a long time.

Thank you very much - in fact I bought mine from Christian.

So if I got that right in total only 4 were built (I always wanted to buy the mentioned book, but until now there was always something more important that ate the budget )?

Dan,

Thanks for chiming in and verifying the details. Tabby and I were good friends, but I only had heard partial information regarding the saw. He gave me my first real kick start as a builder, and I miss him dearly.

Of note.. another poster here, Gimpy, along with Tabby, Ray Witkowski (who had purchased Tabman Tables), and I were all together on a one time "builder's forum" held at Bob Sanders' Magic Ranch soiree a few years ago. That was just a few months before Tabby passed. Here is that motley crew...

Michael,

That brings back memories of the hottest day I can remember. Thanks for the loan of that umbrella, Mrs Gimpy and I would have cooked without it.

What the pic dosent show is that Tabby was barefoot.... It was that hot.

No doubt. That photo was taken midday, after spending several hours in blazing sun, and the theater's A/C was on the blink. See the box fan on the stage next to Tabby? It could have been a space heater and we probably couldn't tell the difference. We all look totally beat down.

Dan,

Did Tabby Complete a saw for you after AGT? Any more info would be great. Loved seeing it on AGT.

By the way I think Tabby was the most interesting person I have ever met.

Yep I have it and love it - very honored to be one of the owners of this rare piece

Agreed, Tabby was a great guy, and a real character! I miss talking shop with him!

In 1987, I saw Harry Anderson's TV Special 'Sideshow'. During the show he talked about many different Torture Illusions used in Sideshow in the past, and in the background as he talked was this Amazing Arm Buzz Saw. I never forgot what an impact it had on me, and I had not even seen it performed.

Around 13 years ago the 'Vivisection Machine' as he called it went up for auction... and I bid highest.
I now own Harry Anderson's Arm Buzz Saw and have used it in my show Carnival Diablo around 8 times. It is a truly sinister piece of equipment.

I was told at the auction that Harry had bought it off of a great old Spook Show Star that had used it back in the late 40's and 50's. It is an original Thayer.
I am still researching what his name was.

I would hold onto it if I were you... there will never be another like it on the market.

Michael, Ray Witkowski has past too. He was a friend of mine when I lived in PA.
I was at the Magic Ranch that year too. It was the last time I saw Ray.

>>>>doctorrigormorto>>>>>

Mark Walker (he is a café 'customer') has extensive knowledge regarding the spook shows of the period you mentioned. I have some knowledge, but HE is the 'prime source'.

I THINK I remember the late BILL MORTON using an arm buzz saw in the blow off of his sideshow at the Milwaukee Wisconsin 'CENTURAMA' in the late '40s. If I am right, it most likely was a THAYER.

The late KEN GRIFFIN, used one, I'm sure, when he toured his illusion show in the '50s,'60s and '70s. His, too, was most likely a THAYER.

I saw both the SILKINI 'BROTHERS' (WYMAN AND JACK) shows. Wyman in the late '40s, and Jack in the early '50s. Wyman did not use a saw. (He trouped with a very light show!) Jack was using backdrops and more props. I don't remember him using a saw. Both relied a lot on audience participation bits.


Hope this helps!

>>>ZAKARI>>>>!!!!

Great to see your name! It's a loooong time since Colon!!!

You still using that blade box??? For history's sake, I bought it from John Friday's brother when John died (late '90s?).
Jerry and I used it, part time, one summer, around Colon. (festivals, etc.)

I'm sure you've heard that Jerry Conklin died (March 29, 2010).

Glad too, to note that you're still in the business!

O

Thank you Dick for that info!

I am going to have to do more research on the Arm Buzz Saw, because the one that Harry Anderson owned was used by a rather famous Spook Show star.
I will let you guys know when I find out who the original owner was.

If anyone else has any other names of performers that used this outrageous illusion... let me know!

The arm buzz saw that Ken Griffin used was made by Owen's. For a time they had it in their catalog. Ken told me that the section of "arm" that was removed and displayed was actually a fresh ham hock which was about the right size and shape and had that "flesh" appearance.

It was a grizzly effect, but very strong. The name that Owen used for it was "Bloodless Amputation."

Dennis "Denny" Loomis

Having trouped in FRANCISCO'S MIDNIGHT SPOOK SHOW, I can tell you he didn't have one.

For anyone interested... I am currently selling a Tabman Arm Buzz Saw...