Ropes, Ribbons, Strings & Reels in Magic & Conjuring

An eight phase rope routine, including sliding knots, jumping knots and cut and restored sequences.

To perform this routine, you will require no more than a piece of rope, about four feet long, and a shorter piece approximately six inches in length.

1st digital edition 2015, 10 pages.

This is the linking ropes on steroids. Imagine doing the linking ropes for real. I mean with three ungimmicked pieces of rope. NO MAGNETS, NO ROPE SNAPS, RUBBER CEMENT, HOOKS, OR FALSE COUNTS WITH THE LOOPS. Ropes actually link for real, no optical illusion that the ropes appear to be linked. Only three pieces of examined rope are used. No switches or extra hidden pieces of rope. Can be done in short sleeves, under any conditions. NO PULLS OR GIMMICKS OF ANY KIND. Learn it in just a few minutes. This is a new and improved revised handling by Devin Knight.

EFFECT: The performer (that's you)...

A unique rope routine with over 20 effects.

Here Aldo created a wonderful rope routine in eleven phases where rope is stretched, cut, restored, knotted and so forth:

• Phase 1: Stretching the Ropes
• Phase 2: Two Ropes Become One
• Phase 3: The Rope With Four Ends
• Phase 4: Cut And Restored Rope
• Phase 5: A Rope With No Ends
• Phase 6: A Knot In A Loop Mystery
• Phase 7: The Ends Are Back
• Phase 8: The Traveling Ends
• Phase 9: The Vanishing Knot
• Phase 10: Knotty Knots
• Phase 11: Silk Off Rope

1st edition 2010; 15 pages.

A visual penetration of earphones through your T-shirt.

• Very easy to learn
• Perform it surrounded
• No gimmicks
• Resets in less than 10 seconds

1st edition 2014, length 3 min

Three professional effects with a finger ring and a rubber band.

Paul takes three well known rubber band effects, one is the popular "Crazy Man's Handcuffs", and shares his touches and improvements. Paul is not teaching each of these routines but rather focuses on his contributions.

Recorded live at the Convention at the Capital 2001.

runtime: 6min 32s

A different version of the Pitchman Act. This one is based on the tie salesman. Everyone has seen the booth where they sell the cheap ties be it a pushcart, folding suitcase, or a department store counter. The performer is loaded with tricks and gimmicks and things keep happening every time he shows a tie. The routine is full of comedy with a lot of surprises and really clever bits. You probably have the material among your tricks and can easily fix up the rest. The ebook covers every detail, with lots of illustrations.

1st digital edition 2014, 11 pages.

Many years ago Harry Anderson taught this effect to John Cornelius. Now John is teaching it to you. Two pieces of ropes are knotted together. Surprisingly the knot can be slid up and down completely fairly. And finally you open the knot and you have again two pieces of rope.

runtime 4min 35s

Pulls, reels, and threads are some of the most usefull gimmicks to a magician. Just think about the popular ITR (Invisible Thread Reel). But you might say: "I only do cards, I don't need to know these stage methods." Think again. For example, Patrick Page illustrates in what he terms the 'pendulum principle', a method how you can with a simple piece of thread clean up a lapped card such that you can get up from the table clean. So even for the pure pasteboard afficinado, there is something to be found that will take your effect to another level. And I love when Page starts with 'a little bit...

This practical method of Cliff Osman can be performed anywhere and is easy to do. The magician's right thumb is tied with a long piece of thick string; two or more knots being used. The left thumb is then bound tightly to the right thumb and the ends of string tied. The string is drawn skin tight around each thumb and all knots are genuine. Now, with his thumbs thus tightly bound together, the performer is able to perform a series of amazing tests. Instantly link your arms with those of the spectators, catch solid hoops or rings on your tied arms, pass your hands "through" table legs, etc.,...

Create your own custom versions of the popular cut and restored rope effect.

Dariel Fitzkee applied his world-renowned Trick Brain method to completely analyze and dissemble the Cut and Restored Rope effect into its basic components. Fitzkee's patient explanations and diagrams examine the six basic principles of all rope, cord and string effects, allowing the clever performer to pick and choose the methods that best fit his or her performing style to develop diabolically clever and unique rope routines.

Along the way, you'll learn the secrets to several past and present commercial rope effects that...

Thinking Inside the Box
A card merely thought of by your spectator, appears inside the card box sandwiched between two Jokers.

Cash Deposit
A borrowed bill and a bank deposit slip transpose under the spectators nose.

Empowerment
Let your spectator think he's the magician.

Visual Rubber Band Un-Link
A new method of un-linking two rubber bands.

Rubber Band Split
A single rubber band is split into two.

The Shrinking Band
One rubber band shrinks as it is absorbed into another.

The King Has Left The Building... With Amnesia
A two card transposition, Elvis style.

Remote...

Here are the real secrets of thread work. This ebook was originally published by the Berlin Magic Circle in a bilingual (German/English) edition, and in England it was sold and recommended by Ken Brooke. If you are prepared to spend the time learning some of the material in these pages you will have miracles at your fingertips. Braco and Finn Jon are the worldwide experts on invisible threads and floating routines.

This ebook also contains a special bonus: the full routine for Mike Danata's Floating Golden Stick. This is the best work on the subject still.

1st edition 1973 in bilingual (German/English)....

The Gypsy Thread trick is one of those classic effects in the same league as a linking ring or cups and balls. A thread is broken into several short pieces and then magically restored into one long piece of thread. Many of the best magicians have made the gypsy thread a feature of their performances: Fred Kaps, Dany Ray, Ricky Jay, Billy McComb, Ali Bongo, Hans Trixer, Marconick and Eugene Burger to name just a few.

Lewis Ganson teaches in detail with text, photos and illustrations the ins and outs of this routine.

This was part of the famous Ganson Teach-In series originally published by Supreme Magic Inc. Rights are now owned...

In this publication Fogel reveals his famous rope tie technique. From the foreword:

• Foreword
• Introductory Address
• The Routine
• Requirements
• Explanation
• The Fogel Rope Tie in Action
• Production of the Whisky Bottle
• Summary
• Concluding Observations
• Finale

1st edition 1961,...

This routine has multiple effects. You begin with a length of rope...showing it freely. Instantly a knot appears on one end. You clearly untie it, but a moment later another knot appears. You clearly untie it again but...yes you are right...another knot appears. You repeat this effect again and again. At the end you have snapped five knots in all.

Now you borrow a finger ring and execute Grant's "Poor Man's Monkey Bar" in which you tie three knots on the rope with the ring knotted to the one on the right. Then you put the rope behind your back and pretend that the ring "magically" pass...

A particularly beautiful routine features a small silver ball or pearl that is removed from a seashell and takes a life of its own. It floats in the air, between your fingers, rides up a small magic wand, travels along the circumference of a large ball bearing and rolls along the back of your hand as it finally floats to you so it can be put back into the shell.

You will learn the secrets of Peki's invisible thread that makes it much more invisible than other threads even in close up instances where viewers are only a few inches away from the action.

Professionally dubbed into English...

This is not a magic trick but a carnival game, a con game, where the operator can decide if you should win or not. Everything looks fair and above board, but there is simply no chance for the mark to win. It looks so innocent, a ball-chain loop, put out on the table in a figure eight. One loop in the eight catches your finger the other does not. You have to find the one that catches your finger. Only problem is that you will never find it if the operator so decides.

This game is sometimes called Loopy Loop, Figure Eight, the Chain Swindle, or Pricking the Garter. You will find in this ebook...

A close-up version of the famed Dancing Handkerchief routine used by many stage magicians. A miniature handkerchief jumps out of a small container, dances, bounces around and walks across a magic wand before going back into it's jewel box. The entire routine happens in your hands while standing.

You will learn the secrets of Peki's invisible thread that makes it much more invisible than other threads even in close up instances where viewers are only a few inches away from the action.

Professionally dubbed into English from German.

runtime: 13min 33s

A classic publication with wonderful coin magic, some card tricks and cut and restored rope. Slydini adopted some routines from Benzais.

• The "Coins Through The Table"
  • First Effect (For One Coin)
  • Second Effect (For Two Coins)
  • Third Effect (For Four Coins)
  • Han Ping 'Benzais'
  • With Six Coins
  • Something Extra The Benzais Grip
  • Again With Six Coins
  • It Doesn't Belong Here
  • One Handed Method
• Just A Few More "Coin Tricks"
  • 5c For Your Thoughts
  • The Benzais Concealment
  • Transit Dime
  • Follow-Up For Transit
  • A Simple Vanish
  • Another Simple Vanish
  • Not So Simple
• Different Types Of Card Tricks ...

Several excellent effects using a deck of cards and rubber bands. From the introduction:

• Introduction
• Wrap-It
• Flying-It
• Rubber Penetration
• Up-Again
• Transpo-Wrap
• Star Wrap
• Wrap Again
• A Trio Band
• Mini-Wrap
• Stranger In The Wrap
• Pyramid
• Snap Twice
• Super Link

1st edition 1993, 20 pages; PDF 26 pages.

Magic literature contains a myriad of methods for doing ring on string effects. Many of these involve clever sleights or duplicate rings. The cool thing about this method is that it does not use any gimmicked cord, duplicate rings or any type of sleights. It can even be done with a borrowed ring. The incredible thing about this method is that it is done under test conditions with your wrists tied behind your back!

The performer's wrists are tied behind his back using an examined three-foot piece of string or cord. The ends of the cord are tied to each of the performer's wrists. A spectator...

Stretchy Bands are large hair ties, similar to elastic band and loom bands. They pack small and play big, are great for teaching in workshops and offer a different selection of effects to elastic bands. This video teaches 26 different visual tricks which includes mentalism, penetrations, vanishes, games, restorations and more. They are just as much fun to perform as they are to watch. Check out the unedited, uncut, no camera trickery trailer that shows just a few of the effects.

1. Y Knot
One band is locked within the other and around a the spectators finger. You wave and suddenly the two...

An approximately 3 ft. length of rope is shown and pulled between the hands, it's a solid length of rope, - it is not made of elastic, it doesn't stretch and yet suddenly it begins to get longer and longer ... 5ft., 8ft., 10 ft., - yes, it stretches and stretches until it is 30 feet or longer.

A wonderful eye-popping effect that forms a perfect preface to other rope mysteries. In Milbourne Christopher's original effect no special gimmicks are used, just a rope and the special method of preparation and handling.

THE PLUS: In addition to all this, an alternative handling is given which allows the effect...

What a fantastic effect, from the audience's standpoint. The performer exhibits a three foot length of rope and mysteriously begins to S-T-R-E-T-C-H it to an unbelievable 20 feet!

Completely revised, these greatly enlarged instructions include both of Milbourne Christopher's exclusive methods for stretching a rope to many times its original length. No hidden reels, magnets, or special rope needed. Regular, soft cotton magician's rope works fine for this. This will be a show-stopper in your act. Also makes a terrific introduction to a cut 'n restored or ring-on-rope routine.

1st edition...

This trick was on the market about 10 years ago. If you have one and no directions, here are the original directions. If you would like to make this up, you can make it from a metal slinky you can buy in most toy stores. Very easy to make, and complete directions on how to gimmick a Slinky are included.

Just when you thought every possible penetration effect had been invented, comes this new novel idea. Magician patters that when he was a small child he couldn't afford to buy magic props, hence he did magic with his toys. He brings out a regular Slinky toy and shows it to be the toy we all...

If you are a magician or psychic entertainer looking for something different and exciting to add to your act, then your search is over!

The Spirit Rope Tie, long a staple of bogus spirit séances, offers the clever performer a fantastic array of performance possibilities for injecting fun, humor or mystery into his or her show. Whether played "straight" as a recreation of a vintage spirit séance, or as a comedic effect that gets funnier with each repetition, any one of the rope ties described in the ebook is strong enough to be a reputation maker for you.

Reilly doesn't make the reader...

A unique cut and restored rope effect.

• no weird loop in the hand - just cut the rope in the center as a layperson would
• both cut ends are shown separately and apart
• no knots or fumbling
• the rope is snapped like a whip and is fully restored (other endings possible)
• it can be used in another effect or passed out

This is the first official release U.F. Grant made in 1928. This came before his 45 Tricks, and was an amazing rope trick well before its time that introduced the magic world to the genius of Grant. Very rare and seldom seen.

EFFECT: A length of rope is displayed measuring about 3 feet long. This can be passed for examination before and after the trick. The rope is taken and the ends tied together. The performer states the rope can be cut and restored in any section of the loop. He proceeds to cut the rope 3 or 4 inches from the knot and then restoring it there. It is again cut; this time in the center...

A thread that penetrates stuff, your hand, your thumb, a playing card ...

The performer shows a piece of thread that hangs down from his hand. A playing card is held with the other hand behind the thread. With one smooth motion, the thread penetrates the card and is suddenly behind the playing card. It is hard to believe your eyes.

The gimmick is easy to make and there are no bad angles. This looks as good from the back as it does from the front.

1st edition 2022, video 8:51.

Jean Hugard describes in this booklet a complete routine consisting of 6 effects. He starts with a card trick, the piano card trick, and continues with a series of rope effects: production of a rope six feet long; doubling the rope; trick with two ropes; triple cut and restored rope; comedy explanation of vanishing knots.

The value of this booklet is in the routining itself. Hugard has used this routine many times with great success. The effects follow in a logical succession each building on the other.

Paul Fleming wrote: