Razor Blade Illusion
Hello to all our friends,
We here at Ronjo Magic carry a variety of a classic effect.
Nearly every stage performer at one time or another since Houdini's day has performed a version of the Razor Blades Illusion.
You start by showing several double edge razor blades and you prove are real as you cut up some paper.
You proceed to stack them up and put them in your mouth, swallow them and show your mouth to be empty.
Next you take a length of thread and swallow it as well.
You may begin to gasp for breath, punch you chest, start coughing, moving your closed mouth while making unusual expressions.
Your empty hand reaches towards your mouth and you pull out one end of the thread.
As you keep pulling one blade comes from your lips tied to the thread, then another and another and another until all the blades are tied on the thread.
It looks scary and dangerous. You can make it very dark and heartpounding. Bloody too if you desire.
The Razor Blade Illusion was an off shoot on the Needles From The Mouth. The blades version is a bit safer and they are bigger and can be seen easier from a distance. A diabolical method of the Needles trick can be found in Jim Steinmeyer's Device & Illusion. The switch is nothing short of genius. This version is intense and hard to watch for many audiences.
One method that I am not familiar with for Razor Blades can be found in the book Swami Mantra by Sam Dalal.
A great book we carry about the Razor Blades is called Helter Shelter. It gives you all the important details. Even if you already perform Razor Blades, this book is worth a look.
For the safest way to do it, see Andrew Mayne's Mad Mojo. He explains how to do this type of effect using candy with a hole in it and thread.
The other three types we carry that are physical props. I will quickly run down the list of the pros & cons of each for you.
Automatic Razor Blades by Blackman
This version has the blades visible on display by magnets glued to the clear posts. These little circle magnets are hand glued to the posts and are often spaced disproportionately from one another. Combine that with the fact they are glued to a curved pole and they are not always level either. This aspect doesn't bother so much when the blades are in place. What does bother me personally is that these magnets are covered in spotted prismatic tape and when the blades are removed from the posts and placed into the center stand, these circles look toys and the fact that they are not spaced equally really stands out. I would cover these circles with a solid color adhesive tape.
The center display (where you stand up each blade after you proven them real) is the BEST, fastest and easiest switching gimmick I have ever seen. I have personally toyed with about 8 different "automatic" styles and I prefer this one. However this device is best used for audiences several feet away, or at least seated below your platform.
The acrylic poles come off the stand for flat transport. The base is heavy acrylic. Imported from Italy.
Uses 8 blades that the audience is aware of.
Dave Powell's Automatic Razor Blades
There was a time where this model was not available so we got in the Blackman version as an alternative choice. Powell's version is deceptive, well made & affordable. The blades are held in place in the back as pictured or on the front of the black plastic. The unit is classy and modern looking. But visually in my opinion it appears suspect. It just looks trick to me. Will it FOOL them? Yes of course! After each blade is removed from the diamond frame, they are placed in the black box behind the spool of thread. (The thread is on a spindle and if it is removed a screw will bee seen sticking out of the base). I do which the spool were placed somewhere else as it sort of obscures the view of the blade box. But the blades are always in view sticking out of the box. The box is a device and the switch is relatively easy to make but takes some effort (no slights, just mechanics and knowing where to place them).
This unit is made of thinner plastic and is somewhat fragile. Minor assembly is required. Just a few screws nothing more.
Can be done at close distances.
Uses 6 blades (not supplied) that the audience is aware of.
Vest Pocket Razor Blades Deluxe
If you have ever seen a version that looks like this you probably saw the vinyl pouch one. With that other style you know that when you remove or insert the blades you would slice through the pouch if you weren't exceptionally careful. For this deluxe version, the entire apparatus is covered with thick fabric. Cutting through the pouch is no longer a problem. There is enough play in the material that you just won't cut it by accident.
This style can be done in any situation. Up close or on stage. The "wallet" is relatively easy to manipulate. It would be best if you walk to the audience to give them a spool of thread and walk back to your table to do your dirty work with the pouch.
Uses 5 blades that the audience is aware of.
With each variation of this effect, there is a possibility of getting cut. After all you are handling real loose blades. Although you never place sharp blades in your mouth you are still putting very thin metal in your mouth and an accidental cut can still occur. If you are not careful, there is also the potential of a choking hazard, even for Mayne's version.
If you decide this is an effect you wish to learn, remember you are responsible for your actions. These effects are meant for professionals only and Ronjo.com Inc can not responsible for the use of misuse of these products. No one under 18 years of age is permitted to purchase these effects.
Have a fun, safe & Happy 4th Of July.
We'll talk to you again on Wednesday.
Pete
We here at Ronjo Magic carry a variety of a classic effect.
Nearly every stage performer at one time or another since Houdini's day has performed a version of the Razor Blades Illusion.
You start by showing several double edge razor blades and you prove are real as you cut up some paper.
You proceed to stack them up and put them in your mouth, swallow them and show your mouth to be empty.
Next you take a length of thread and swallow it as well.
You may begin to gasp for breath, punch you chest, start coughing, moving your closed mouth while making unusual expressions.
Your empty hand reaches towards your mouth and you pull out one end of the thread.
As you keep pulling one blade comes from your lips tied to the thread, then another and another and another until all the blades are tied on the thread.
It looks scary and dangerous. You can make it very dark and heartpounding. Bloody too if you desire.
The Razor Blade Illusion was an off shoot on the Needles From The Mouth. The blades version is a bit safer and they are bigger and can be seen easier from a distance. A diabolical method of the Needles trick can be found in Jim Steinmeyer's Device & Illusion. The switch is nothing short of genius. This version is intense and hard to watch for many audiences.
One method that I am not familiar with for Razor Blades can be found in the book Swami Mantra by Sam Dalal.
A great book we carry about the Razor Blades is called Helter Shelter. It gives you all the important details. Even if you already perform Razor Blades, this book is worth a look.
For the safest way to do it, see Andrew Mayne's Mad Mojo. He explains how to do this type of effect using candy with a hole in it and thread.
The other three types we carry that are physical props. I will quickly run down the list of the pros & cons of each for you.
Automatic Razor Blades by Blackman
This version has the blades visible on display by magnets glued to the clear posts. These little circle magnets are hand glued to the posts and are often spaced disproportionately from one another. Combine that with the fact they are glued to a curved pole and they are not always level either. This aspect doesn't bother so much when the blades are in place. What does bother me personally is that these magnets are covered in spotted prismatic tape and when the blades are removed from the posts and placed into the center stand, these circles look toys and the fact that they are not spaced equally really stands out. I would cover these circles with a solid color adhesive tape.
The center display (where you stand up each blade after you proven them real) is the BEST, fastest and easiest switching gimmick I have ever seen. I have personally toyed with about 8 different "automatic" styles and I prefer this one. However this device is best used for audiences several feet away, or at least seated below your platform.
The acrylic poles come off the stand for flat transport. The base is heavy acrylic. Imported from Italy.
Uses 8 blades that the audience is aware of.
Dave Powell's Automatic Razor Blades
There was a time where this model was not available so we got in the Blackman version as an alternative choice. Powell's version is deceptive, well made & affordable. The blades are held in place in the back as pictured or on the front of the black plastic. The unit is classy and modern looking. But visually in my opinion it appears suspect. It just looks trick to me. Will it FOOL them? Yes of course! After each blade is removed from the diamond frame, they are placed in the black box behind the spool of thread. (The thread is on a spindle and if it is removed a screw will bee seen sticking out of the base). I do which the spool were placed somewhere else as it sort of obscures the view of the blade box. But the blades are always in view sticking out of the box. The box is a device and the switch is relatively easy to make but takes some effort (no slights, just mechanics and knowing where to place them).
This unit is made of thinner plastic and is somewhat fragile. Minor assembly is required. Just a few screws nothing more.
Can be done at close distances.
Uses 6 blades (not supplied) that the audience is aware of.
Vest Pocket Razor Blades Deluxe
If you have ever seen a version that looks like this you probably saw the vinyl pouch one. With that other style you know that when you remove or insert the blades you would slice through the pouch if you weren't exceptionally careful. For this deluxe version, the entire apparatus is covered with thick fabric. Cutting through the pouch is no longer a problem. There is enough play in the material that you just won't cut it by accident.
This style can be done in any situation. Up close or on stage. The "wallet" is relatively easy to manipulate. It would be best if you walk to the audience to give them a spool of thread and walk back to your table to do your dirty work with the pouch.
Uses 5 blades that the audience is aware of.
With each variation of this effect, there is a possibility of getting cut. After all you are handling real loose blades. Although you never place sharp blades in your mouth you are still putting very thin metal in your mouth and an accidental cut can still occur. If you are not careful, there is also the potential of a choking hazard, even for Mayne's version.
If you decide this is an effect you wish to learn, remember you are responsible for your actions. These effects are meant for professionals only and Ronjo.com Inc can not responsible for the use of misuse of these products. No one under 18 years of age is permitted to purchase these effects.
Have a fun, safe & Happy 4th Of July.
We'll talk to you again on Wednesday.
Pete
posted by Ronjo Magic at 1:41 PM
1 Comments:
Hi Guys,
We just got in a new & improved Blackman's Automatic Razor Blades. The base is stronger, sleeker & better made. The magnets on the posts are perfectly spaced. The magnets are in silver glitter and look much nicer. Finally, the blade box, is more invisible, easier to manipulate (if you can image that) and near impossible to accidentally knock over. This new style has taken everything little thing that was wrong with it and made it so much better.
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