Magic Tricks

The great Banachek used to wow the college crowds he performed before using Larry White's Tip Pen, which is a gimmicked el cheapo Bic ballpoint pen (or biro pen to my UK mates). Those are still around, and you can pick one up for about $(US)10. While the working is generally attributed to Banachek and White, I remember reading how to make one in an early Bob Cassidy book. I tried, and as quite frankly as Bob put it, it was a pain in the a**. While the Tip Pen does work, it's fairly finicky, and I have to fiddle around and find the right surface and position to make it effective. I am happy to report that the gimmicked Sharpie of Fall--using the same method I'd imagine--works without a hitch, and once you get used to it, you can even set it to fall at varying intervals. I think that it must be the weight and center of gravity that make the larger diameter pen work better. I don't know. I do know that it's a classic effect and well worth the price. You get the pen and a link to the instructions. But once you understand the gimmick and play around with it, there's really not much to know. It's going in my bag in my gimmicked Sharpie collection.