I took a vote amongst my family and it was a tie so I'm going to ask you guys, what looks better, silk-to-cane or bare-handed production?

It really depends on your routine. The good thing about a cane is it is so versatile. It allows you to turn anything soft (rope, balloon, silk etc.) into a cane. What tricks are you doing before it, and after it? Is your cane metal or plastic? Metal canes are generally better for bare hand productions because they are faster.

Let us know the answers.

You can also use the cane as a kicker ending to a manipulative routine. Ball to cane, etc.

I like the cane to two silk.

I personally like silk to cane because it seems that the silk has fused into the cane. The silk also provides great misdirection if you are planning on producing two canes.

I enjoy the silk to cane because it is not only an apperance but it becomes a transformation. Also the silk really helps visually hide the transformation and helps also in getting the focus from the audience. if you do the bare hand production, most people may miss the magic happening.

Kyle

I also like the candle to silk to cane, I like it, you can see it in McBride on stage videos vol.3

Torch to cane is also nice if you have a good metal cane.

Bare hand cane production. Catch the cane in the middle of the cane.

Silk to cane. because honestly if you don't use a silk you can see it open. same with vanishing cane. if you don't suff the can it looks bad.

I have used both of those ways before, bare handed and also silk to cane. I know that you spoke of only two ways to produce it, but don't forget there are many other ideas. Here are just 3 others I've used with success:

I have had the mini silk streamer that is coloured like a cane, black with a white tip. Twirl the silk around like a propellor, and change it to a solid cane. All of the sudden the softness of the silk, changed to the solidness of the cane. Gets a great audience reaction. Slightly different than a typical silk to cane presentation.

Another idea is to display a 24" silk. Drape it over your fist, and produce the cane, catching the cane in the middle. It pops the silk up into the air, which you catch with your other hand. Looks pretty cool!

Shimada had a handling of an appearing cane, that starts with a silk held between your hands. You tie a knot in it, and as you stretch out your hands, you release the silk, to reveal that the silk is knotted around the cane stretching from hand to hand. The handling of this, complete with step by step photos, was in Genii magazine approximately 15-20 years ago, in a feature article about Shimada. Someone may know if this is published in a book somewhere. This gets a nice audience reaction as well.

- Donald.

If possible, watch James Dimmare work his appearing canes routine. He uses silks... and looks like pure magic. He performs his famous five-minute routine on World's Greatest Magic 5. This should help you in your decision to either do bare-handed productions, or to go with silks... better yet, why not mix the two?

Magically,
- - Troy

If you get a metal cane - initially practice with gloves on as they can "bite". Aim to catch it in the middle once fully extended.

Paula

Hello coolleprechaun:

I've never liked the bare-handed production; I really think people can see it open, even if it's a very quick metal cane. I think if you do it that way, many people can tell that you had something in your hand that expanded.

Much better are the alternatives Donald has given. The pop-up silk looks very good - I believe both Neil Foster and Dale Salwak (of Chavez) have done this in their acts. It looks good and gets "oohs" everytime.

Scott Cervine had a video out a number of years ago. He had the Shimada cane from silk that Donald mentioned on it as well as splitting canes where he had a cane and split it into two. Looked fantastic! I believe you can still get his video from Stevens Magic.

Troy mentioned Dimmare. He has a really, really good routine in the "New York Magic Symposium" book series. You can still get the book - It's called "Spectacle" and is by Stephen Minch.

Ron

There was also a method of reaching through a paper hoop and letting it open.

One tip I got years ago in Paul Diamond's lecture..to catch the cane in the middle, simply open and close your hand as quickly as you can.

If you don't do that you will end up holding either the tip or the top of the cane.

IMHO Silk to cane is an audience pleaser. Something about the transformation is stronger than just the apearance of a cane. Also there are metal canes that are much gentler than the old gun metal hand slicers of old. They aren't cheap but what quality prop is?

In most of the "letters" I get from school show programs, the "rag" to cane, gets a great response.

My silk, is a rag, I use as part of my allergy segment.

Anyone willing to share a "different" way you use a cane.

I first saw it, as part of a newspaper routine.

The cane was produced as the hand went through the paper.

Back in 76, I almost broke a display case, when this newbie tried to open one up for the first time. (mini memory lol)

Harris Deutsch
Laughologist

I bought a Torch to Cane when I was in Japan. It is beautifuly made, but I have not used this effect for many years.

Torch to cane is great but now you are back to problems of using fire again.

I have been unable to locate any videos by Scott Cervine. Are there any other books or videos out there that explain the cane split?

Take care, Bry