Thumb tips

AgeGap · 22nd July 2007, 06:05 AM

What do people think about thumb tips. I feel like I am cheating when I use one as they take little or no skill to pull off, what look like, complex sleights. I know that some well known (to me at least) magicians use them. Also I am also scared of being caught out although this has never happened.

Cain · 22nd July 2007, 10:07 AM

It's an extremely useful tool. I have not used one for awhile because I do card magic almost exclusively. I don't think using it lends the appearance of "complex sleights." Instead it "looks like real magic." Unfortunately, it is rather well-known though I have never been caught either.

MelBrooksfan · 22nd July 2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by AgeGap

I feel like I am cheating when I use one as they take little or no skill to pull off, what look like, complex sleights.

Well, stop that. All's fair, really, when you have a live audience. I mean, basically, what you're doing is cheating anyway. In other tricks you block their view by a few degrees of an angle to cover a pass. You have to cheat.

Bob Klase · 22nd July 2007, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by AgeGap

What do people think about thumb tips. I feel like I am cheating when I use one as they take little or no skill to pull off, what look like, complex sleights.

If you're doing the complex sleights correctly then they should look like you've done nothing at all, much like using a tip correctly.

I do know some magicians (and there are many others I don't know) who are true "purists". They refuse to use any type of gimmick. They enjoy it and none of the ones I know actually perform much.

Mick Houlahan · 22nd July 2007, 02:34 PM

Using a TT feels like cheating? There are television magicians out there using camera edits, whole audiences full of stooges, CGI, and hidden psychic midgets with spy transmitters - I think you're safe from accusations of cheating.
Seriously - they're great tools. Don't post about 'em. Hee-hee.

firecoins · 22nd July 2007, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

I do know some magicians (and there are many others I don't know) who are true "purists". They refuse to use any type of gimmick. They enjoy it and none of the ones I know actually perform much.

Getting the effect across is the most important part. The method you use is irrelevent. Thumb tips are an excellent tool to gets lots of eect with the least amount of effort. Many "purists" don't perform much because they base their repitoire on method and not on audience perception.

Brown · 23rd July 2007, 08:03 PM

When I was first exposed to this prop, I thought it was stupid and lame in the extreme. I was convinced that no one could ever be fooled by it.

I changed my mind about ten years later, though, when I saw how skilled people used it to achieve baffling effects. Some folks are quite smooth with it, and some can switch it from hand to hand without attracting any notice at all.

The prop has its place. As props go, it's pretty versatile.

Brown · 24th July 2007, 09:15 PM

Just today I learned a new trick with this prop. And what a good trick it was. I didn't even catch on that the prop was being used, since most of the visual cues that accompany use of the prop were missing, and it wasn't your typical prop effect. Of course, I felt like a dope because I was fooled by a technique with which I was familiar, but sometimes that's what makes a trick a good trick. I may have to dig my prop out and give this new trick a try.

Cain · 25th July 2007, 01:18 AM

And you're not even going to tell us what the trick is called, or describe the effect. C0cktease.

JonWhite · 25th July 2007, 07:49 AM

I've never bothered getting one of these before.

This thread has reminded me why I should.

Cheers!

Brown · 27th July 2007, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Cain

And you're not even going to tell us what the trick is called, or describe the effect.

It was a mentalism effect, and that's all I will say.

If I were to describe the effect, a person having the barest familiarity with the subject of this thread could put two and two together. It would be tantamount to disclosing the secret of a particular trick. So in keeping in the spirit of this forum, if I can't keep the secret a secret, I'll keep the trick a secret.

22nd July 2007, 06:05 AM	#1
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,719	Thumb tips What do people think about thumb tips. I feel like I am cheating when I use one as they take little or no skill to pull off, what look like, complex sleights. I know that some well known (to me at least) magicians use them. Also I am also scared of being caught out although this has never happened.
AgeGap Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,719

22nd July 2007, 10:07 AM	#2
Cain Contrarian Join Date: May 2002 Location: S. California Posts: 3,824	It's an extremely useful tool. I have not used one for awhile because I do card magic almost exclusively. I don't think using it lends the appearance of "complex sleights." Instead it "looks like real magic." Unfortunately, it is rather well-known though I have never been caught either.
	__________________ Well, well, well. If it ain't the serious, elusive Leroy Green. I've been waitin' a long time for this, Leroy. I am sick of hearin' these buuuuullshit Superman stories about the "wassah" legendary Bruce Leroy catchin' bullets with his teeth. Catches bullets with his teeth?! Niggah pleeze.

22nd July 2007, 02:56 PM	#6
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,054	Originally Posted by Bob Klase I do know some magicians (and there are many others I don't know) who are true "purists". They refuse to use any type of gimmick. They enjoy it and none of the ones I know actually perform much. Getting the effect across is the most important part. The method you use is irrelevent. Thumb tips are an excellent tool to gets lots of eect with the least amount of effort. Many "purists" don't perform much because they base their repitoire on method and not on audience perception.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

23rd July 2007, 08:03 PM	#7
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	When I was first exposed to this prop, I thought it was stupid and lame in the extreme. I was convinced that no one could ever be fooled by it. I changed my mind about ten years later, though, when I saw how skilled people used it to achieve baffling effects. Some folks are quite smooth with it, and some can switch it from hand to hand without attracting any notice at all. The prop has its place. As props go, it's pretty versatile.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

24th July 2007, 09:15 PM	#8
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	Just today I learned a new trick with this prop. And what a good trick it was. I didn't even catch on that the prop was being used, since most of the visual cues that accompany use of the prop were missing, and it wasn't your typical prop effect. Of course, I felt like a dope because I was fooled by a technique with which I was familiar, but sometimes that's what makes a trick a good trick. I may have to dig my prop out and give this new trick a try.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

22nd July 2007, 11:38 AM	#3
MelBrooksfan Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,011	Originally Posted by AgeGap I feel like I am cheating when I use one as they take little or no skill to pull off, what look like, complex sleights. Well, stop that. All's fair, really, when you have a live audience. I mean, basically, what you're doing is cheating anyway. In other tricks you block their view by a few degrees of an angle to cover a pass. You have to cheat.

22nd July 2007, 12:30 PM	#4
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,389	Originally Posted by AgeGap What do people think about thumb tips. I feel like I am cheating when I use one as they take little or no skill to pull off, what look like, complex sleights. If you're doing the complex sleights correctly then they should look like you've done nothing at all, much like using a tip correctly. I do know some magicians (and there are many others I don't know) who are true "purists". They refuse to use any type of gimmick. They enjoy it and none of the ones I know actually perform much.

22nd July 2007, 02:34 PM	#5
Mick Houlahan Scholar Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago 'burbs Posts: 107	Using a TT feels like cheating? There are television magicians out there using camera edits, whole audiences full of stooges, CGI, and hidden psychic midgets with spy transmitters - I think you're safe from accusations of cheating. Seriously - they're great tools. Don't post about 'em. Hee-hee.

25th July 2007, 01:18 AM	#9
Cain Contrarian Join Date: May 2002 Location: S. California Posts: 3,824	And you're not even going to tell us what the trick is called, or describe the effect. C0cktease.
	__________________ Well, well, well. If it ain't the serious, elusive Leroy Green. I've been waitin' a long time for this, Leroy. I am sick of hearin' these buuuuullshit Superman stories about the "wassah" legendary Bruce Leroy catchin' bullets with his teeth. Catches bullets with his teeth?! Niggah pleeze.

25th July 2007, 07:49 AM	#10
JonWhite Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 603	I've never bothered getting one of these before. This thread has reminded me why I should. Cheers!
	__________________ "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not 'a closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge" Ian Rowland

27th July 2007, 08:04 PM	#11
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,025	Originally Posted by Cain And you're not even going to tell us what the trick is called, or describe the effect. It was a mentalism effect, and that's all I will say. If I were to describe the effect, a person having the barest familiarity with the subject of this thread could put two and two together. It would be tantamount to disclosing the secret of a particular trick. So in keeping in the spirit of this forum, if I can't keep the secret a secret, I'll keep the trick a secret.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice