i will be most honest i am the most frugal(cheap a**) person i know? i also know you get what you pay for and in the magic world your paying more for the secret then the props and with most tricks there are several that come by different names from different manufactures. that being said and i will start off with a few but please if you have a reason why any prop/trick/effect is really worth paying more then let me and everyone else here your opinion
some of you that own your own stores might really be able to help in this
here are some off the top of my head
stratosphere aka strat-o-sphere aka joker tube prices range form 35 -100 dollars
multiplying rabbits aka rabbits rabbits everywhere aka papa rabbit goes to town
whats next aka hoppin spots aka dubious domino (dubious domino is black with white dots as apposed to the whit with black dots of the other 2 and fred baish gave a good enough reason for me not to get the dubious dominoe as after some wear and tear you can see how the dots move but still what makes whats next more expensive then hoppin spots
what is the best linking rings set?
how about the zombie ?
and any other comparisons you can come up with and lets try to keep the secrets of these tricks secret. i just want to know like many other shoppers am i saving money when i am buying the least expensive version???

Interesting question... I guess I haven't been around enough to recognize too many tricks by their name. I do know that I have seen some tricks that look rather cheaply made and some that are fancy. Some differences are size (pockets vs stage show). Some are wood vs plastic. I would imagine that the more expensive tricks are made of better quality materials and will last a bit longer.

There are two magic shops that I have visited, and both will demo/teach you the tricks when you buy them. I know that I have heard them talk to customers about things like the hotrods and discuss the differences in materials and prices. That is something you can't always get when you order online.

stratosphere- get the one made by mak magic, its very well made
multiplying rabbits- get the 3-D rabbits by goshman best looking and best quality
whats next- whats next is the best nuff said
linking ring- depends on the size you want to use, number of rings and type of gimmick
zombie ball- the ickle pickle one. its smaller, great finish, will remain that way forever, and its thicker so it will not dent that easily when you drop it. and believe me you will.

good luck!!!

thank you mr bag ends any other effects you would like to make comparisons to or suggest which is the better quality fell free to add your own

Entertainers perform differently. So it all depends on your circumstances.


stratosphere aka strat-o-sphere aka joker tube prices range form 35 -100 dollars
Stratosphere was the first one. There have never been any complaints on Stratosphere. It is about 30 years old. The rip offs are the other ones you have listed. They might cost less, but I do not know about the quality.

multiplying rabbits aka rabbits rabbits everywhere aka papa rabbit goes to townAll the above rabbit tricks are from the same supplier, Goshman, except for "Papa Rabbit Goes To Town." Goshman's are better quality. They will last longer. "Multiplying Rabbits" are easier to handle so you can get used too quicker.

whats next aka hoppin spots aka dubious domino (dubious domino is black with white dots as apposed to the whit with black dots of the other 2 and fred baish gave a good enough reason for me not to get the dubious dominoe as after some wear and tear you can see how the dots move but still what makes whats next more expensive then hoppin spotsThe first one made is "What's Next". There are no major complaints with it. The only minor complaint is the moving dots are slightly raised. It can be noticed close distances. The other major one is called "Dinamo": Hank Lee's Magic Factory :: Stage :: Dinamo (http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3086&cat=0&page=1) There are no complaints at all with Dinamo. What's Next is a white card with black moving dots. Dinamo is a black card with white moving dots. The color of what you will be wearing is important because of the contrast. If you wear the black color, use What's Next so the white card will show up good against your black outfit. If you wear white, use Diamo instead. If you are wearing any other color besides black or white, it does not matter which one you use.

what is the best linking rings set?The best one for professional magicians on stage is Owens Linking Ring Prices (http://www.owenmagic.com/Club___Stage/Club___Stage_4/Linking_Ring_Prices/linking_ring_prices.html) Owens are high quality in everything. The average price of Owens are $800.

Solid Steel Linking Rings are cheaper than the hollow ones because they are easier to make. But the steel ones can be very heavy. Do not get chrome plated Linking Rings because the chrome peels off when wearing out. Purchase the stainless steel ones.

5" Linking Rings are made for close-up performances. 8", 10" and 12" ones are better for clowns when performing a stand-up act.

Start off practicing with cheap 8" rings and find out if you feel comfortable with the moves. If you like it, take it to a better quality.

Kids can get bored watching Linking Rings. It depends on the clown. It will be good if the clown can put a lot of comedy in the act.


how about the zombie ?I would prefer "The Thing" YouTube - The Thing by Bill Abbott - www.MJMMagic.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybh8oIHohzw) for a clown instead of "Zombie". The Thing is a little pricey. Both require accurate movement. For me The Thing is a little easier to perform because the routine requires less movement.

Some knock offs are good and some not. As a dealer I always get a few and compare. Then I pick the best of them to stock. Look at my site if you want to see good knock offs. Let me know about any questions you may have. I don't buy Forum or Empire because the quality just doesn't cut it for my inventory anymore. All my stock in these makes are left over so they are good but I won't refill them.

I don't know how I forgot this one but I have been writing reviews and sometimes adding new products to Magic Trick Reviews - New Magic Reviews and Tricks (http://mylovelyassistant.com/)
If you don't have this site put it in your favorites. I review a lot of knock offs too. If you click on my name on a review it will take you to all of my reviews. It's a real good site to have,check it out it could save you lots of money by pointing out the junk. Anything I reviewed I have first hand knowledge of so write me if you want a more detailed description. I have about 100 and something reviews posted now. On books too.

i only do basic tricks so I don't know what's what in those devices....but you're not the cheapest clown here. Zippy is. Maybe it's because she's so poor, but she makes all her props or gets them at Dollar Tree. I usually don't use any props myself except what I can find around the house or borrow from Zippy and LuLu.

Just a couple of notes about Abbott's Thing.

It can be done surrounded. There are no angles to speak of. That is a greater strength than the movement, I think.

Also, if you are at all handy, get Bill Abbott's DVD that includes the Thing. He details how to make the whole setup so you can construct it for a lot less than buying it. When you buy the premade prop, you are paying for a professional seamstress to make the prop (at least it was a seamstress at the time that B.A. talked about it on the Magic Cafe). If you buy the DVD, you are getting the right to make and use the prop yourself, so there's no ethical problem.

Great trick.

-Patrick

I dont do Zombie but am planning to make my own Thing it is a great effect it really takes the zombie to a whole new level.