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wayman Special user England - Sunderland 589 Posts |
The list is endless: bitten coin, coin unique [Scotch and Soda], flipper coin, magnetic coin, wonder coin, cig through coin, folding coin, shimmed coin, shell coin, karate coin, melt-through coin, beggar coin, miracle coin, erasure coin, bungee coin, double sided coin, hooked coin, copper-silver coin, nest of coins, Chinese coin (bit)...........
These are just some of the gimmicked coins that I own and to be honest I do MOST of my magic with ordinary every day coins using basic sleights. (with the exception of copper/silver) Is it just me or are there a lot more people out there who just have to buy these items. I originaly bought these coins as a stepping stone into magic, to make the path that I had to walk easier, but I have found that it can make life harder.... i.e. If I forget an item and some-one asks me to show them the trick that...... then I have to fob them off with, "Oh, that's an old trick. Have you seen this one?...It's much better...." Anyway, I have three questions that I would like to pose on the issue of "Coin Gimmicks." 1.Which gimmick do you use the most? 2.Which gimmick do you use the least? 3.Which gimmick do you have that's not in the list? |
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Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
I have been doing coins for 35 years. The only gaffs I use are a shell, a flipper, an "Ultimate 3 Fly", and a slot box. I have never cared for color changes such as copper/silver/brass.
The next time you do one of those, take an after-performance poll to see how many of the audience could actually see and understand what was going on. I may be wrong, but I think that these are only impressive to those who are very close. |
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Darrin Cook Special user 621 Posts |
Good question, Wayman. The issue of gaffed coins is a thorny one for coin workers.
There is the issue of "purism," in which one only uses ungaffed coins, and some go so far as not to use extra coins. The catch here is that it is extremely difficult to do deceptive coin magic without a gaffed coin. If you doubt this, try doing an ungimmicked "Copper, Silver, Brass." I have a few ungaffed, no extra coin routines that play strongly, and these are solid gold to me. In my opinion, gaffs actually create cleaner magic. For instance, a shell or slot box reduces the number of sleights and elevates the clarity of a routine. The catch is to bring the gaffs in and out of play without causing suspicion. This is an area I've been working on to improve in my coin magic. I'm similar to Magritte here. I use a slot box, a shell, and occasionally a copper/silver gaff. One problem with color changes is that in a dimly lit bar environment these changes can be hard to see. My guess is that gaffed coins are like gaffed decks --milions of these are sold, only to languish in drawers because few magicians have the ability to switch them in and out smoothly. |
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
I've used the copper/silver coins many times... including in a Coins of Ishtar routine I used to do that also made use of a coin alchemy set. I've done some work with an expanded shell and performed my share of Scotch & Soda. Did the cig through coins for many years and then switched to the non-flap version with the permanent hole. I own the Ultimate 3 Fly and haven't gotten around to perfecting it. I should because Bob Kohler did if for me several times and every time it looked like real magic... the guy's a genius! Other than that I have a box full of coins that I haven't touched for decades. I like the look of what you can do with the Lethal Tender set, but haven't bought one yet.
Oh, well, that's my two unlocked cents worth. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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trevorsmagic Regular user The U.K. 186 Posts |
Up until recently I, too, did a lot of routines with gimmicked coins; now I only use the coin unique [Scotch and Soda]and the 6 or so tricks you can do with it. It does impress the specs as it is quite examinable.
However, I recently bought in my opinion the best item ever....."The Complete Introduction to Coin Magic" on dvd by Michael Ammar,and boy, is he a good teacher. It is easy to follow, with some very good routines all using borrowed coins and learning all the moves and sleights that you think the specs must see, but don't, because the handling taught by Michael is so polished. I still have a long way to go, but find the dvd is easier to follow than the books I use. So if anyone is looking to learn using normal coins, the cost of the dvd is worth it. .......Trevor |
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wayman Special user England - Sunderland 589 Posts |
So copper/silver seems to be very popular at the moment, do you think that this is because it is a very versatile coin that fits very well into a lot of routines?,
AND/OR because of its sheer simplicity and cleanliness of effect? |
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Dan LeFay Inner circle Holland 1371 Posts |
Well every coin has "two sides"...
I love coin gimmicks, that is, I love gimmicks in general. Seeing, buying and toying with them is one of the joys of magic to me. Also being a professional magician, I am not blind to what actually works for a real-life audience and what does not. This means the things I always carry in my pocket, while working, are a shell, four coins, U3F, a jumbo coin and one coin stuck behind my lapel. When I work crowds of 150 people or more I add a CSB set(Thanks to Todd Lassen, who's work is beyond belief...) Which leaves in my drawer...uhm...a lot more! To me, learning how to do a trick with some gaff is just 25% of its success as an effect. The other 75% is learning by experience how to convince the audience everything is what it should be. THIS is the part where the hard work comes in, and unfortunately this seems to be the part where a lot of us saw others fail. And then we assume that gaffs suck... To those of you who refuse to use gaffs, considering it to be "not pure" or whatever, read The Books of Wonder. Especially the chapter about "The Three Pillars". It could be an eye-opener. So to answer your question: -mostly used:shell,U3F,CSB -hardly used:Copper/Silver,flipper,hopping half -not on your list: Coin Explosion(Dean Dill), which gives new meaning to the word "Gaff". Can only be performed in formal close up shows and is a piece of theatre in itself. Most talked about effect I perform.
"Things need not have happened to be true.
Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths, that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot." Neil Gaiman |
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Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
The most versatile gaffs in my opinon is the C/S coin and the expanded shell.
They are very simple and create two extremely independent and very useful effects. 1. Change of one coin into another (C/S) 2. Make one coin appear or dissappear (shell) The routines that can use them are plentiful. I agree gaffs allow you to really create some really awsome magic. I use gaff coins and have no bones about it. The difference however is, I am not dependent on them. I can just as easily do plenty of gaff-free coin magic. The gaffs, just make things a bit cleaner. |
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Magique Hands Loyal user Lincoln, NE. 247 Posts |
Silver-Copper-Brass is one of the strongest routines I show for close-up work. Using gaffed coins can really help blend your coin work together.
Yes, as a 'stand alone', gaffed coins can make it possible for you to do some pretty amazing things. But, if you mix your coin gaff routines, with the pure-sleight stuff, then you're really onto something there. More than likely, the audience will see everything as 'pure sleight of hand.' And all the better for you. Have Fun! - - Troy
"If you go around sprinkling Woofle Dust on everything... people will think 'My... What an odd character." www.magicmafia.com
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David Neighbors V.I.P. 4910 Posts |
Tory has a good point --a sleight and gaff combo can kill! Because you get the best of both worlds. It can't be a gaff because you can't do that with a gaff, and it can't be sleight-of-hand because you can't do that with a sleight! The gaff lets you do the sleight on the offbeat! Toss in some shells when they think that gaff is not in use and you have got something.
Dan also makes a good point. I have always thought that you should learn your sleight- of-hand first. You should be able to walk into a room with nothing on you and someone should be able to hand you a deck of cards and 4 coins and you should be able to do an hour of good stuff! When you know how to do good sleight-of-hand then when you handle a gaff coin it will look the same as a real coin because you know what a real coin should feel like! When you handle Aa shell it should be free and easy! Don't handle it like an eggshell --It's just a coin ! So shells, 2 copper/1silver's, double coin gimicks, three coin gimmicks, sun and moon gaffs, and hooked 1,2,& 3 coin gaffs are what I use the most! Also flippers and a U.3. F. gaff. I have 10 or so routines from that! Todd and I will also be coming out with a new gaff or two some time soon! Best, David Neighbors The Coinjurer |
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trevorsmagic Regular user The U.K. 186 Posts |
Hey guys, some brilliant posts there. I, too, think that the ability to mix the two (gaffed and normal) is great.
As I said earlier, I use the coin unique [Scotch and Soda] for a number of tricks and the really cool bit is when you finish the trick and a spec says, "Here, let me see that coin," you can say, "Sure. In fact, keep it," because you've already palmed the coin unique. Let's face it, the few times they do question the coin it's worth giving them the normal pound just to see their faces. Trevor |
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David Neighbors V.I.P. 4910 Posts |
Another thing the old masters used to say is
"You not only have to know how to do a trick, but when to do a trick!" If it's the first time you have worked for this group you should start out with some sleight-of- hand stuff, and maybe some coin rolls, stuff that makes it look like you know what you're doing! Then after they think all you do is sleight-of-hand then you can ring in the gaff but still end the routine clean ( with real coins or they all vanish at the end). Then after they know you better, then when you think the time is right you can go gaff city!! By That time they have given up wanting to look at the coins or your hands. I call that kind of trick A " walk on water trick." After thay know you do killer stuff then you can ring in the massively gaffed stuff and really blow them away!!!Thanks. Best, David Neighbors The Coinjurer |
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wayman Special user England - Sunderland 589 Posts |
Wow!
What a response, lots of input. Keep it coming... I just love magicians; they are the sneakiest bunch of people on the face of the earth. As the saying goes, "Trust me, I'm a doctor!" should also apply to magicians!!!. We are always doing what we say we aren't!!. Ain't magic great! |
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Dolini Loyal user 217 Posts |
Wayman,
If you like to collect coins then there is one I would highly recommend. Johnsons - The Hopping Half. I call it my two coin trick. My approach is different from the directions. I pretend I am not sure how to do the trick. I start by putting one coin in my pocket and saying "no that's not right" lets start again and I open my hand and two coins are still there etc. What I like about this routine is that you are left clean at the end. Dolini
John O'Shea Dolan
johnosheadolan@hotmail.com |
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mambra New user Milano (Italy) 66 Posts |
Hi.
Would you put the chop cup for coins (and related gimmicked coin) in the list? If not, forget this post. If so, I found it quite amazing. Sometime they ask for the coin, but they see one and I use two, so it is very easy to give them the non-gaffed one. That is one of the two reasons I am always looking for moves/routines related to the chop cup (the other is my use of the "normal" chop cup - if the chop cup can be said "normal"). Stefano Stefano Mambretti |
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David Neighbors V.I.P. 4910 Posts |
Hi Gang,
I have a hopping half routine that starts out with two real coins. Then you switch in the gaff in the middle of the routine. It also uses the rattle gimmick so you get to hear the coins jump back as well see the coins jump back. It s in my "Sound Routines" book ( The book on the Rattle Gimmick). For more info, E-Mail me. Thanks for your time! Best, David Neighbors The Coinjurer |
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wayman Special user England - Sunderland 589 Posts |
mambra:-
The chop cup for coins is in the list already Its called Miracle Cups and Coins. Its a favourite of mine. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Coins are great props to help me connect with
my audiences. Expanded shells of different countries are in my case. Ditto on the good stuff from Todd L. I was going to have him make me up something new and then my washer broke. He wrote me back. hmm clean clothes or new gimmick..... hmmmm As Albert Goshman said, it is not the props but the magic is in you. I have seen magicians bowl over an audience with a BAD french drop. My technique has gotten a bit better over the years, but it is my connection with the audience that gets me the gigs and repeat business. Don't get me wrong, when you combine great technique,great gimmicks and a great connection - SHAZAM - It is a beautiful thing. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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gimmick1586 Regular user 181 Posts |
Even though my name is Gimmick, I'm not to big on them. But coin gimmicks are so unique! You would never think of some stuff they have. The first time I was showed a expanded shell I was freaked. I couldn't believe it! So people don't see it coming. But I do have 2 shells, penny shell and a 50 cent piece. And I have two expanded shells for 50 and 25. The thing is I really don't know how to work with them really. But after I get better with coin work I might pick it up and spice it up.
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Copper/Silver and Expanded Shell are the most versatile gaffs I've come across, although I do use others. I enjoy trying to come up with unusual ways to use coin gimmicks.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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