Hey guys,
Okay here's my question. Right now I am performing the sword basket routine with a collapsable (cloth) basket. I am interested in updating to a wicker model. I was thinking of buying Paul Osborne's plans and going from there. Has anyone built or had a basket built from his plans? How did the basket look size wise? thank you very much.

Magically yours,

Matthew Kielbiki

Use the search function on this site to look up some of the past conversations on the Sword Basket . One of the good ideas that I read on one of those threads was the idea of taking an Abbott's fiberglass model "basket" and using strips of burlap to cover the outside of the fiberglass basket form to make it look like a real basket.

I imagine that this would hold up to fairly rough use since the fiberglass is strong and the outside texturing of the strips would make it look more basketlike than the paint job that Abbott's does .

Good luck at finding a wicker basket. You need an American Indian basket weaver to make one for you. They are very rare now-a-days. Thus more expensive. I do not believe Osborne tells you how to weave a basket in his plans.

In his old Genii article he tells you to cover the inside of the wicker basket with fiberglass patches to strengthen it. Just use your cloth basket as a guide when you find a basket weaver.

I believe Owen Magic sells a basket, but the price is out of this universe. Tilford may have a basket available if I remember correctly.

As far a swords, here in my area we have a pone and tobbaco shops that sells great looking real swords to use for the effect. Only about $100 per sword.

As a side business, you could take a basket weaving course at the local hobby store and make the magic world happy buy bringing this product to the market place again.

Thanks guys for all your help.
WMHegbli, that's a great idea, I looked into the basket weavin and it turns out there's an art school about a 5 min drive from my home that offers a course. Thanks again!

Magically yours,

Matt

My problem with most wicker and other sword baskets right now is the shape! with the wide bottom and narrow top.. when you shove the swords in, it's obvous that you're just following the sides of the basket! I worked for Paul Osborne for years and the OLD Abbot basket he had was a woven basket...and that one was the right shape... very oval.. not too heavy on the bottom.. so that the swords looked like they were going throug some space.. not just along the side of the basket. The square pyramid wood baskets are the WORST!!!! They look like magic props.. not at all like a basket.. and the shape is TERRIBLE.

I think George, of Chalet magic, designed a great alternative by blending both requirements and making a "box-type" basket and a basket styled paint job. The shape is pretty deceptive as well if you study the pic as the swords exit at a low point of the "basket"
George's quality is exceptional and the price is great. I have been wanting to buy one for sometime now but am not performing anymore.
http://www.chaletmagic.com/catalog.html
Just my humble opinion,
Chance

I sold my basket and got the Voodoo Box for my show.
I like it better. The box isn't as big as the basket.

Hmm. The best sword basket, IMHO, is the Owen. When I first bought it from Denny and Lee, my wife and I did it (THE SWORD BASKET!!!) in my living room for some friends who were only 4 feet away. They were certain that I must have installed a trap door in the floor. I did not buy the Owen swords, but instead bought a set of Chalet sword which did save me a few dollars.

Paul in the plans tells you how to find people to weave the basket for you.

Years ago we took magicians rope and glued and wrapped it around an Abbott's Fiberglass Basket and it looked good.

The owen is very good; but Stevens sells a version that all goes down into a suitcase...

If you are going to go for a basket I reccomend the Chalet/Ralph Adams design or the Owen Basket. Denny can get both of them. I think the Chalet runs about 2000 and the Owen is 2500. I personally have used both.

The Owen looks like a basket while the Chalet looks more like a box. Which ever way you decide to go you will not be dissapointed.

As far as making your own. A lot of the mistakes you will make along the way have already been made in research and development of these two fine props. I find it best to let the folks who build, build... while we as performers can focus our energy on the presentation.

Scott

I was looking for another product and found this very inexpensive Sword basket. Even if the shipping is higher the total cost is still great.

http://siam-magic.com/product_detail.php?pid=125

Siam Magic has this correct looking basket for only %500 U.S. This looks like another alternative.

"American Indian baset weaver"? Hmmm ... I didn't realize the rest of us were exempt from weaving!

Actually, I met a woman who was selling baskets, and weaving them, at a flea market (caucasian ... imagine that!) She wove me a wicker basket to my specifications for $100.

Look around, you'll be able to find a LOT of people who weave. I'd start with my local community college adult programs; they have a vareity of offerings, and may have weaving. If so, the instructor might be able to help you. Also, check yellow pages and "new age" shops.

I have used the Chalet basket in every show I have done for the last decade. It troops very well and because the inside is slick the girl literally slides into place. Also several things that go into the design make it appear smaller.

I did the Indian Basket Illusion in my show for 20 years. I started with one that Gene de Jean had commissioned from some Korean basket makers. It had been crushed and I had to reinforce it with various things to make it work. But I used it for several years, and switched to the oval style. I hated the oval. It didn't work as well. I finally had two made by a local basket maker to the specs that were in Grant's illusion book. They were just a tiny bit larger than the Korean one I had.

I still have both of them.

The one at Siam magic looks pretty good, but it's not the best shape for the illusion. Also probably won't hold up too well.

Basket "OSBORNE" very big, model not misleading. I execute this illusion (I have improved it). Look on my site in section "Gallery" and "Program".