The Sanada and Your Variations

MichaelSaintLouis

I'm a big fan of your magic. I've gone through the "Illusioneering" notes about a million times because it is one of the few works I can find to reference the Sanada Gimmick. Are there any major books I have missed? Have you written a more extensive text on the gimmick or your variations? It seems an often-ignored tool (in fact, I am having trouble replacing mine). Do you still market your variations (such as The Cloaking Device)?
Also, there is one thing that has never clicked for me that you advocate and that is wetting sponges before working with them. Can you explain the advantages of this?

Shanester

Jay,
I have your Cloaking Device and am trying to use it in my sponge bunnies routine. I find that a large bunny fills up a lot of space making the CD sit up, and to me look more obvious. Also I am worried about loading the bunny into the port of the CD as it feels as if it will tear when producing it (they are good quality Magic by Gosh 3D bunnies.)

Your advice would be appreciated as I have seen examples of how your gimmick can produce amazing visual magic.

Thanks you for taking the time to visit the forum.

Jay Scott Berry

Shanester,
You make an important point about loading and concealing an item in the Cloaking Device. I use Supersoft sponges, as they have the best "compression ratio". Working with Steve Goshman, we have come up with a softer bunny, which looks the same but compresses slightly better.
In general, if you slightly wet the sponge, it not only comes out of the pocket easier but also is also a little bigger upon production.
As for handling and concealing the gimmick, there is definitely a learning curve, of sorts, both technically as well as actual muscle training. In the same way as many coin manipulations or palms. The simple practice of holding and using the gimmick routinely will help you become more natural in handling it. Like any hidden device, it only works if they don't know it's there.

Jay Scott Berry

Michael,
I think that the idea of a finger shell is probably one of the oldest gimmicks in magic. It was rediscovered, so to speak, by Sanada about 15 years ago. As I started playing with the basic gimmick, it occurred to me that the primary limitation was that you could not preload it effectively.
This lead to the creation of the Cloaking Device and the FS/2 gimmick (originally called the Sanada 2000). I do till market both of these items.
I have DVD's on each of these gimmicks, which demonstrate and explore the basic handling, effects and possibilities.
I don't know of any other material that is out there which addresses the extensive possibilities of the finger shell principle.
The wetting of the sponges is for 3 reasons. 1st, they become larger, 2nd, they open more quickly, and 3rd, they are easier to produce from the pocket of the Cloaking Device or from an Eclipse Tip.

LeeAlex

I can only endorse the Cloaking Device.

It really is a gift from God (well Jay Scott Berry actually!) and is a great alternative to the usual TT.

In fact I find it a lot more practical than a TT, and it really fools those that are looking specifically for the TT, including magicians.

I use this for my sucker torn and restored napkin which normally goes into the show as an audience participation number (the scene of hundreds or thousands of spectators waving the napkins in the air is great - and then we show the whole audience doing this from my view on the projection screen which really gets them waving much more!)

I would recommend anyone who buys the device to get the DVD along with it as Jay's tutoring is second to none - even you know he has the device in his hand, you are still watching miracles.

MichaelSaintLouis

Ah, a question answered! I have been searching for the Sanada and Sanada 2000, but I reckon I should have been looking for the FS/2. I really think I would trade my dog (the one that isn't house broken at least) for one of the old tin finger shells I have heard about from my Asian sources!

Jay Scott Berry

Michael,
I'm not sure if I'm willing to take your dog, but I am working on developing a more sturdy finger shell. I have addressed some of the "strength" issues by adding additional tape to the gimmicks. However I agree that a tin model would prove useful. The only problem seems to be how one can adjust the size...

Jay Scott Berry

Lee,
Thanks, I'm glad you are able to use these. It's quite a versatile idea.
I love the "Vortex Streamer production". It is one of the few effects that can be performed surrounded. It works equally well for kids, adults, close-up, stage, strolling and even trade shows.
I also use it regularly for the bill switch and the cut and restored ribbon.

MichaelSaintLouis

Mr. Berry, you would adjust a tin shell the same way you adjust a plastic one. You would just need tin snips instead of scissors. You'd also have to sand and paint the edge, but this is why the old magic shop I remember from my youth sold paint in several flesh tones. The old ways are sometimes better... Now I have to find a tinsmith!

LeeAlex

I have to point out that Mr. Jay Scott berry replaced my split gimmick immediately at no cost to myself.

It arrived incredibly within three days of him posting it from Spain to Turkey!

I now have a practice gimmick and a performance gimmick - and would recommend this to all who use this. Not only does it expand the life span of the performance gimmick, it also ensures it keeps clean without having to "redress" the band.

Even the gimmick was made from some other material (i.e. tin or other metal) I would still like to see the gimmick "banded" as a point of comfort.
The load space of course has to be flexible.

There are many different types of plastic these days available - some more durable and hard than others. I think the problem point will always be the same - the finger "gap" - being the thinnest point.
This point could be reinforced with wire within the plastic itself.

A harder more durable gimmick could be made - at a higher price, but who cares - this gimmick is priceless!

Edit: On the question of size (I was lucky enough not to have to adjust mine at all) - if the material used were not cuttable, then the gimmick could be sold in small, medium and large sizes.

Daleshrimpton

I have a book, written by someone who wanted to remain anonymous called "Conjuring apparatus up-to-date, and how to build it". It was published sometime in the early 1920's.
It shows a false palm, and looks identical to the modern day Sanada gimmick.
I also have in my collection, a very unusual item that looks like a shell finger, but it extends well down the finger, and into the palm. I guess that this is as least the same age as the book, probably older.
It is amazing to see that ideas come and go