Magic Tricks

This is a clever idea to put the hookup
on the writing utensil itself,
hidden in plain sight.

However, it could be improved in a number of ways:

1. The swami part is black. Why? A non-gimmicked sharpie is not black on the end. It's gray. If you're going to make it black on the end, that's bad for the following reasons-- a., it doesn't look like my real sharpie; b., it stands out/contrasts with my flesh-colored thumb. Making it flesh-toned would make it 10 times more invisible in case you flash it, but I understand that would look very strange on the sharpie. Making it light gray is much less contrast against my thumb color. That's why magicians use red sponge balls, or flesh-colored sponge bunnies. The red sponge concealed in the hand looks like a shadow within the hand, and Goshman's 3D bunnies look nearly flesh-toned. That's also why (I think) most magicians prefer red-backed cards. The red (on white stock), really pink from a distance, approximates a (white) hand.

2. The black puddy this comes with sucks. I use Tacky Wax (which by the way is far superior than Magicians' Wax for just about anything, comes in a small yellow tub) or that super tape (it's red, double-sided tape on a wheel, you can get it at Walmart in stationary or crafts/sewing section). Way better alternatives, and they are transparent and more sticky.

3. Using a marker may impress those familiar with nail writers (magicians). It's a great achievement. However, practically speaking, a professional magician's hands should be sparkling clean. This ink gets everywhere, all over your fingers. Maybe with great care you can avoid it, but that just adds to the difficulty, when china marker NWs or lead NWs don't have that problem at all.


Here are some tips if you want to use the Super Sharpie:

-Blank playing cards are perfect. No noise when writing.

-Business cards that have gloss finish on BOTH sides are ideal. Not a matte finish on the blank side.

-Use double-sided tape instead of the black puddy. Or Tacky Wax.

-Shove the Super Sharper in your rear and get Solari's Swami Secure, which is the best NW I've ever tried. It even beats Lincoln's Best Boon, no question. And the latter is way more expensive. It's 10 times more stable and secure than anything, it's like a dream. Super easy hook-up too, since it's attracted to a magnet, fit's in the smallest pocket or behind your lepel or collar or under your rolled up sleeve. You could even hide it in your hair.

Here's a funny and revealing story...
I've pretended to write the number or word in BLUE PEN.
I set the BLUE PEN down.
Then I swami'd the number or word, which to your educated eye actually looks like black crayon (china marker).

Nobody noticed the discrepancy, and they were all blown away.
I wouldn't make a habit of that,
but just know that in a pinch,
it doesn't really matter if you grab a pen
and your swami is marker or pencil lead.
They're so in shock that the number/word is correct
that they're not thinking (I guess).

I'm always surprised how a swami has gotten me out of some embarrassing situations, similar to if you can one-hand palm a card. Recently I dramatically revealed a card, and the spectator said, "That wasn't my card." This was at a paid gig. I said, "Oh, that's interesting," then I quickly scanned the deck and cut it to the top, and continued, "because the 10 of clubs isn't even in this deck," I one-hand top palmed the card and, "it's been here in my pocket."
Yes, if you don't do the one-hand top palm, then you're out of your mind.
And if you don't swami, then you're out of your mind.
It will serve you for the rest of your life.