From Bill Tarr’s brief description (a section in his Now You See It, Now You Don’t), my interest in thimbles is stimulated. Wal-Mart sells good-looking brass thimbles for about a dollar, but having tried several sizes they keep dropping off my fingers. Am I just clumsy or would plastic, wood, or some modification provide a thimble that was easy to pull off, but hard to fall off?

Guidance on thimble instruction after Tarr and other advice from a veteran manipulator would also be appreciated. Thanks.

I would think you should purchase a set of thimbles by Royal Magic. Their thimbles are tapered so it should fit all of your finger without coming off. It's inexpensive to purchase it.

Regular thimbles from Wal-Mart and sewing stores come in sizes. Just purchase a size for each finger. Failing that it has been suggested to line tape inside the thimble. It should set on the tip of your fingers, not go all the way to the bottom of the thimble.

Right, put some adhesive tape inside the thimbles. Start with real thimbles, the kind you find in sewing departments.

After all, that is what John Ramsay used. I have one of his thimbles--he had some made with his name printed on them.

After you learn to handle this kind, you may want to check out other dealer type thimbles. I used to have great success with Berland's thimble act (they show up on ebay often).

Then Werry, in Europe made some nice ones.

Joe Porper makes some awesome brass thimbles and Fakini makes some out of a silicone that are very interesting.

And, as soon as I can find the woodworker, will be re-issuing my routine.