I am looking to do "Silk through Mike Stand"...any product recommendations as to what would be best for this effect? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

The Stealth Retractor would be your best choice.

Richard

Paul Diamond's reel seems to be the best made. He's not running Diamond Magic anymore, but I think they're still available.

If you can find a Kirkendal(sp?) reel> it's almost as easy to fix as the Paul Diamond version and as fast as a P&L.

Hi:

I don't know if you're familiar or not with the utility device, so sorry if I'm telling you what you already know. You need a hand-held reel to accomplish the effect of a silk penetrating a mic stand (you can do many other effects with a reel, BTW).

The models that Julie and Dave mentioned are good, but like they said, may be hard to find. Another option is the Owen reel. I have one and it's very smooth and quiet - I like Kirkendal a bit better, but George Kirkdendal has died and his reels aren't made anymore.
I believe the Owen reel is about $75.00. Quite expensive, but worth it. You don't want to use any of the IT reels as they're designed for another purpose.

Again, sorry if you know all of this already!

Ron

Richard, Dave, Julie, Ron,

Well thank you all for your thoughtful advice and recommendations! Precisely the input I was looking for. Everyone sells ITR's these days and I had no clue where to start in choosing a "traditional" reel. (These are the purchases that are often difficult to justify to my wife ($100?....for a KirkenDaal?.....and it does whaaat?....)

Thanks again all!

Try El Ducos "Swedish reel".

If you are buying the reel for this one effect, there is no need. You can do the effect without a reel...

Best, PSC

You're right again, Paul...been doing it that way since my Kirkendall's spring broke! I still love the reel, though...wish I could replace it!

Doug

For that effect you can do it sans reel, but the reel is best. A cheap reel will work fine, but ITR types are totally useless. You can check eBay from time to time, too. I think Fantasio sells a nice plastic one that is reasonably cheap.

I have the PM Magic Reel, and it works great!

I like my Thread Boss 2000-$18

Does anyone know if Mark Allen's Underground TM is good (better than the thread boss?)

Hi, I'm using it every day with total success in all kind of lighting, even in direct sunlight!

I recommend it for its size, perfect for close up and stage too. Also for its design, for the really near to invisibility fiber-thread that is incredible hard (I never broke it!).

Well, I'm not brother or cousin of Mark, hahahah, but I'm still using several Sorcery Manufacturing ITR's (depending effect...) but my really favourite ITR is the Mark Allen's TM2.

Good luck!

Joan Monse

Magicmafia22 and joanmonse:

You are getting ITRs (Invisible Thread Reels) and Traditional Reels mixed up. They are different utility items used for different purposes. ITRs are used for levitation effects and Traditional Reels are used for the retraction of an item.

I saw Todd Lassen released the utility reel recently. Can anyone told me where I can find materials (books or DVD) regarding the use of the utility reel?

Since the Lassen Utility Reel is essentially a "traditional" reel, any material relating to this type of reel would be appropriate and welcomed.

El Duco's have a great reel.

John

Sadly, El Duco just died, and I don't know if the business will continue.

What always worked best for me was the Fantasio Candle Pull. White disc shape, about the size of a half dollar, about as thick as a stack of about 3 half dollars. It has NEVER broken in about 20 years.

However, now I do a gimmickless silk through mic stand. No, not just reel-less... completely gimmickless.

JF

I recall that Paul DImond had a video on this effect and his presentation with standard reel was very effective.