|
|
Micha-el Regular user 123 Posts |
Hi all, I'm looking for a recommendation for a reel for the Serpentine Silk trick. I have seen three offerings; the Perfect Reel, the Tango Ultimate Reel, and a combination silk and reel from Stevens Magic which looks like the reel would cost about $15.00. I will use the reel only for the serpentine silk effect. I'll use it for stand-up but not necessarily stage, but not close-up. Any help is appreciated.
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
All you need is a finger reel and a 24 inch silk, or scarf.
Paul Diamond Reel Magic Video instructions can be downloaded from: https://llepub.com/index.php?main_page=p......9fn1nns4 |
Micha-el Regular user 123 Posts |
Thank you Bill, I appreciate the response and the resource suggestion. Actually, I performed the Serpentine Silk years ago. However, the reel I owned broke and then I moved on to other tricks. So, now I am looking for a replacement and would like a recommendation for a reliable reel. I will only use it for this one trick. The reels I mentioned are the ones I found with a Google search. However, I don't have any experience with them. My original reel was either a P&L or Kirkendall which I bought second hand. (This was more than 40 years ago so my memory is a bit hazy about the maker of the reel.)
Regards, Barry Moran |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Barry, Since Krikendall, P&L, and those from England, there were not any others that I ever found. All reels wwar out over time, and it is a simple matter to sit down and take it apart and replace the black thread with 3 pound clear fishing line from Wal-Mart. Just put it back together the same way it came apart. Just be careful and keep the spring from breaking. That is why I referenced the Paul Diamond video. He explains how to repair his reel, but the advice is very valuable for all reels. Plus, he as some very magical effects that you may want to try.
So there is no one making reels with an established reputation, most come from India currently, except for the Tango reel, I think that is in Spain for South America. Any of the reels you mentioned will do the job. If they are a little noisy, then simply use Paul's suggestion to add as little Vaseline to the spring. A 10 minute job. Also you will learn the correct handling for the silk through microphone stand effect. Actually, the effect can be performed without a reel at all, only a silk scarf. Same method as published in the booklet Reel Magic, only they penetrate the arm of chair. Another method is to use Rice's Dis-Solo effect with 2 knots tired around rope, a more visual and slower penetration, replacing the rope with the Microphone stand. Or you could do it as follow up with a spectator and the rope supplied. http://www.silkkingmagic.com/Rice's%20Dis-solvo.htm So, there are no current reels I can suggest for you, as I still use my Rice / P&L reels, and I have 5 others that I am currently attempting to repair. They are very old, older then me, and they need some addition work. My advice would be to just buy 2 reels as you found out, you may need a back up if one breaks just before a presentation. Also Daytona Magic has finger reels he sells. He also has a nice brass reel, and a couple others that may be from India. Harry Allen is a nice guy and will treat you right. https://www.daytonamagic.com/search/index.php?q=reel&p=2 Hope this information helps you decide. Boy, my fingers are tired. |
Micha-el Regular user 123 Posts |
Bill, many thanks for the very nice and complete response. With regard to my old reel, I did (this was many years ago) try to repair it but alas I wasn't up to the task and just made things worse, which is probably why I moved on to other tricks! Since my previous post I did find a Paul Diamond brass reel in an antique sale and decided to bite the bullet and paid an arm and leg for it! Regardless, I am going to buy a couple of less expensive models (will check out the Daytona magic site) and really get to work learning the ins and outs of the reels and the trick. I will also pick up the video that you suggest since it describes how to repair the Paul Diamond reel. Many thanks for the advice.
Regards, Barry Moran |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
I'm sure you're going to laugh at my choice of the 99 cent "Bill Snatcher Deluxe" from Madhatter Magic Shop, but it's perfect for a one trick dedicated reel such as you suggest for Serpentine Silk. These CHEAP little reels are easy to take apart and change the line to whatever you prefer - black nylon, invisible sewing thread monofilament (my usual choice), fish line, etc. I could also use the thicker monofilament that comes with it, and just camouflage it with black streaks rubbed on from a magic marker to get rid of some of the shine. I buy them by the dozen ($10.90 plus postage) and always have a reel ready for whatever crazy thing I invent next that needs to have its very own reel always attached and ready to go.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
Micha-el Regular user 123 Posts |
Jim, thank you. At that price it looks like it would be worth picking up a few. The reel will only be used for the Serpentine Silk. Actually, I think the silk through mic stand is more mysterious, but the untying silk seems to get a more visceral response.There is something amusing about the animation of the silk. Anyway, thank you for the reference.
Regards, Barry Moran |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
There's no reason why you can't perform BOTH in the same routine - first the Silk "Snake" comes to life and slithers out of a knot, and then the Snake penetrates the microphone stand. Finally you might have the "Snake" lay an egg (plastic). The Snake then disappears but is found inside the egg aka the Legend of Ouroboros. Make it a masterpiece!
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
Micha-el Regular user 123 Posts |
Hah! Interesting. Sounds like a new act.
|
Magical Moments Veteran user 338 Posts |
You can get a terrific Serpent Streamer from Silk King Studios for an extremely reasonable $30 plus $5 shipping.
It comes with their original instructions. Attach a reel and you are all set! |
jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
You can also learn to print on silk using your computer printer, or paint on silk and make your own hand-made design. Check out the materials available at Dharma Trading Company:
Inkjet printer silk: https://www.dharmatrading.com/transfers/......ets.html Silk Paints: https://www.dharmatrading.com/paints/kit......its.html
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
Micha-el Regular user 123 Posts |
Thank you all for the suggestions. I have picked up a few reels and now on to learning how to best use them for the serpentine silk. (Also picked up Paul Diamond's instructional video, Thanks Bill.)
|
David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
The Paul Diamond video lecture is a great resource.
For anyone interested , John Sterlini of the Sterlini Magic Mfg. Co. https://sterlinimagic.com/ (and his other website: https://usedmagic4sale.com/shop/) repairs and refurbishes reels. On UsedMagic4Sale.com he is currently (as of Sept. 16, 2020) listing a Tannen Utility Reel https://usedmagic4sale.com/shop/product/......s-magic/ Last night on his Facebook livecast (Sterlini's Magical Mayhem!) he showed a refurbished P & L Reel that he will be listing , and he also said that in the next few weeks he will list refurbished Kirkendell reels and Owen Magic Supreme reels, so contact John via his email listed on his websites to see what he has available. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Smooth as silk » » Serpentine Silk (3 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |