What is the best set of multiplying balls for cheapest price? I just spent most of my budget on Christmas shopping. I need a better set than those little, hollow plastic pieces of junk that crack when you drop them. Thanks for any input.

"Magic by Gosh. Multiplying Sponge Balls." It´s very inexpensive. A great way to start learning this classic of magic. Combine this with a sponge ball routine and add "Ball to Cube", not expensive, also by Gosh. There you have the makings for nice, elegant magic, without having to spend much.

Good luck.

There are some reasonably priced Multiplying Gold Balls on ebay a lot lately... I think they are made in India, but they aren't too bad at all.

Just buy Fakini. You will save money in the long run.

Fakni balls are pricey but they are a great investment in for the future. There is nothing quite like the feel and weight of a Fakini ball set. And, if you take care of them, they will last a life time.

I know you specified "lowest price" but those suggesting Fakini are right! Following the purchase of every available size and brand, you'll eventually spend the $100+ dollars for a set of Fakini.

Fakinis are the way to go. However, if you want to practice and get a feel for ball manipulation in general, I would get some 1 3/4 inch bouncy balls. you can pick them up at most any toy store. They come in many colors and have a very good feel that sort of mimmics that of a Fakini set. Of course you would not have a shell, but it is a very cheap way to get a set of balls to start practicing the single ball moves and vanishes and then determine if a Fakini set is right for you.

Tim, this is what I suggest.

Check ebay constantly. I saw a set of orange 2" fakinis (like new condition) go for around $45. I missed the end of the auction or I would have picked them up myself. Keep an eye on ebay. Sometimes some interesting things pop up. Also, I will pm you about some 1.5" sets of rubber multiplying balls I have been making up myself.

FC

Tim, Not everyone prefers the silicone Fakini balls over the traditional wooden sets. I suggest that you get one of the German made wooden sets that are available at most magic shops. You can get a set of these for about $20, as opposed to about $100 for the Fakinis.
Speaking of the cost of various sets, here is a trivia question ... What manufacturer has the highest price set of multiplying billiard balls currently on the market? Hint - it's not Fakini.

I agree with Kyle about using the bouncy type ball from a toy store. You don't have the shell but can practice the basic moves. That is exactly how I started before buy my Fakini's.

It certainly is up to each performer to figure out what balls he is most comfortable using in performance. I just prefer the Fakinis over any other set for the following reasons. Keep in mind that this is just my own humble opinion.

- Fakini's have a much better grip to them for some moves

- They bounce so that if they are dropped, you can catch them and continue on. If they fall, they do not chip

- Because they can bounce, you can do some really nice bounce color changes and switches

- Because they are silicone, they do not make as much noise as the pastic sets or wooden sets

- Silicone is easy on the hands then the Vernet sets

These are just some of my own personal reasons why I prefer a good Fakini set over anything else. test them out and see what works best for you.

"for the lowest price"

...remember you get what you pay for!

In some cases, Kevin, that's right...however, if you find a good USED set...well, consider this:

I forget what the Ireland rubber golf balls used to go for new, but they came four rubber balls and two shells. I was using the German wooden inch and three quarters, and they were pretty chipped and worn.

Then I went to a magic auction and saw those Irelands, in pretty bad shape, and paid approx. $6 for the set. I then bought some craft store rubber-based white paint for a dollar, and sprayed two coats.

They still look brand new, and just get wiped down after using them.

Lowest price? Find a nice, used set. Best quality? Fakini.

I agree with Pete, as well...eBay...goin' there right now!

Doug

I agree that it will depend on the performer as to which set they perfer but I think that MOST people that you talk to(that actually use manipulation balls)
will tell you Fakini is the way to go. I graduated from the Chavez Studio of Magic and that was the recomendation I got form the school. Once you try them you will never want you use any other type of ball. The way I look at it is if I am going to use a set of manipulation balls in all my shows then its worth the extra money to get the best set out there.

I agree with Paul. I am also a graduate of the Chavez course. It is a preference thing, but I think the initital investment on a Fakini set is so well worth it and will last you a life time if you take care of them. it is the only balls I use except for when I want to do various color changes. then I use a 1 3/4 super ball I get at toy stores.

The best I have seen at a low price are made by Loftus or Empire. They are bade of a hard foam rubber as golf balls in yellow. $10 to $15 is what they cost. I have tryed them all these are the second best in my opinion next to Fakinis.

Fitz

Fitz:
Those work fairly well and is a decent set for the price. Just always remember to use the same balls in both practice as you will in performance.

Always! I just feel these are a good "Cheep" set.

Fitz

If your looking for a good cheap set then what Fitz mentioned might be a good choice for you.

Thanks for all the advice.
I ordered a set of the golf ball ones due to price and seems like a common item...don't know why that matters but I liked the idea of an item people could relate too.
The Fakinis would be way out of my league.
I had seen the Vernet balls on some websites and was leaning that way until I seen some in at a local magic store.
They sure looked cheap and ugly to me.
Thanks again to all
Seasons Greetings
Nick Zender