On Nov 10, 2014, saysold1 wrote:
The question you asked though is like asking which of 3 types of hammers or which of 3 screwdrivers is best.

You said your a card guy that wants to get into this stuff. So the better question for you is why you are so focused on the tools when it might be better to learn something about performance. Getting inf@ is easy - you could do that with a billet and pencil. The art is how it is fed back and that's to be found not in hammers, screwdrivers or Sharpies but rather in books of which others here can provide their recommendations.

So my point is your focused on the wrong thing. Im sure I know what Jay F is pm'ing you but even that is just another excellent type of hammer. Without the knowledge to be found in books, it will likely become a pricey paperweight in your drawer.

On Nov 10, 2014, jstreiff wrote:
Remember that magicians and mentalists approach mystery performance differently. For the magician it is all about accumulating effects and methods. For the mentalist, it is first about developing character and persona, from that determining claims and abilities and then and only then deciding what effects are consistent and sensible given that character, persona and those claims. Method is the last thing mentalists are concerned about, unlike magicians. So a change of approach is the first thing someone coming to mentalism from magic must deal with. Everything else then eventually falls into place. You will discover that most all the greats of mentalism concur on these points.

On Nov 10, 2014, Freddan wrote:
Buying gimmicks, sometimes stuff that will end up in the drawer, is a part of discovering and learning about magic and mentalism. I have a bunch of stuff I don't use that have played an importerna role in my development as a magician and in learning and understanding basic principles. So read a review (Google) or buy and find out for your self.

On Nov 11, 2014, MatCult wrote:
I'd like to point out that neither I, nor any other professional mentalist, would ever use a "writer" (such as the ones you can find HERE by simply Googling the terms from this thread). Only amateur magicians use such things.

Also note that mentalists don't use "gimmicks".

Wink face

On Nov 11, 2014, Martin Pulman wrote:
Phren,


Your list of gimmicks and the mentalists you claim use them seems incomplete. Any chance you could expose some more of them on a public forum?

Thanks.

Regards,
Martin

On Nov 11, 2014, saysold1 wrote:
Phren-

You've gotten some very helpful and friendly responses. Sadly you seem a bit insecure and overly sensitive with the answers generously provided to you. You are certainly misinterpreting things and starting off on the wrong foot here.

The type of question you asked - which of 3 gimmicks etc is best? Is a question we see here on this section often. It's certainly not a bad question but we see this asked a lot especially from Magicians (of which I and many of us were at one time). If you want us to know more about your background please feel free to share with us - but it us natural to make assumptions based on your initial questions.

Thicken your skin a little Phren - people here are generously trying to help you including me. No one has insulted you. You are new here and it takes time to create a relationship. If you dip your toes in the water and ask a question then be prepared for a variety of answers. Some may be helpful and others might not be applicable to you - but if you can't handle the fire stay out of the kitchen.

On these forums done of the top performers in the world offer their wisdom along with everything from part time hobbiests and in between. That's a great resource and we are here to help. Good luck.

On Nov 11, 2014, bevbevvybev wrote:

You know you're a mentalist when: you can entertain everyone for an hour with nothing more than a few scraps of paper and a pen, if that.

:)