theory11 — Magic Tricks & the World's Finest Playing Cards

Ideas on Taking Care of Your Cards

KrisEsPrend

KrisEsPrend

Jan 13, 2010
10
0
Riverside, CA
I came up with an idea (maybe you did to) to prevent (at least) the stickiness of the deck of cards.

I always put a skin powder or baby powder on my hands to prevent the oil to transfer on cards (BEFORE HOLDING AND PRACTICING WITH CARDS). It is 80% effective.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want you to have a quick reply below of your ideas and practices on taking care of your cards.

Thank you very much. I hope my idea helps. Have a great day!
 
KrisEsPrend said:
I came up with an idea (maybe you did to) to prevent (at least) the stickiness of the deck of cards.

I always put a skin powder or baby powder on my hands to prevent the oil to transfer on cards (BEFORE HOLDING AND PRACTICING WITH CARDS). It is 80% effective.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want you to have a quick reply below of your ideas and practices on taking care of your cards.

Thank you very much. I hope my idea helps. Have a great day!
Click to expand...

I always try to eat a greasy burger before practicing... I have found this to be both costly and counter productive =P

But seriously, practicing over the carpet instead of tiles. I notice that I drop my cards way too much... Though, it is the only way to master those ariels =D
 
KrisEsPrend said:
I came up with an idea (maybe you did to) to prevent (at least) the stickiness of the deck of cards.

I always put a skin powder or baby powder on my hands to prevent the oil to transfer on cards (BEFORE HOLDING AND PRACTICING WITH CARDS). It is 80% effective.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want you to have a quick reply below of your ideas and practices on taking care of your cards.

Thank you very much. I hope my idea helps. Have a great day!
Click to expand...


How about washing your hands?

Seriously. Powers absorb oil and end up on your cards anyway. Wash your hands good with soap, finish with cold water (helps keep your hands from sweating and getting oily again) and then dry them really well. If you have Purell or another instant hand sanitizer, it helps to draw the moisture out of the fine pores of your hands. When that dries, you are more than good to go.

L
 
Lyle is exactly correct. This is what I have posted on here about 20 times for people but hardly anyone believes me. Wash the hands good with soap and water. Purell...let dry and let the cards fly.
 
Cards aren't made of steel - they're made of paper. Therefore, their sworn enemy in life is moisture, whether that be in the form of oils from your hands or humidity outside. To make a deck last as long as possible, make sure your hands are relatively clean before using them, and try to keep them out of hot, humid environments. Heat can be a major factor, as it can cause the finish on the cards to melt and become sticky.

The best protection - wash your hands, don't drop 'em, and keep them in a comfortable environment.
 
But I think if the powder ends up on cards, it will absorb the oil from cards too. Because before I tried this I saw an article on washing the cards. Baking soda or corn starch is one way to clean it, like the fanning powder. Still the same thing I guess.
 
j.bayme said:
Cards aren't made of steel - they're made of paper. Therefore, their sworn enemy in life is moisture, whether that be in the form of oils from your hands or humidity outside. To make a deck last as long as possible, make sure your hands are relatively clean before using them, and try to keep them out of hot, humid environments. Heat can be a major factor, as it can cause the finish on the cards to melt and become sticky.

The best protection - wash your hands, don't drop 'em, and keep them in a comfortable environment.
Click to expand...

What about the pass trainer decks?
 
Well everyone are talking about "how to keep your hands clean ...."

BUT

what if someone asks to perform, you take out your perfectly clean shinny deck and realize your spec. have really dirty hand, or is eating something ...
 
I just put card powder on a newly opened deck, break em in and them use them, after about a month or so, I'll put them in the closet for awhile and circulate whatever cards I have that way. They usually end up feeling pretty much like a new deck of cards and really if they get dirty or whatever, you can usually just replace them by buying a decent deck at Wal-mart or whatever store is close to you.
 
Slicke said:
Well everyone are talking about "how to keep your hands clean ...."

BUT

what if someone asks to perform, you take out your perfectly clean shinny deck and realize your spec. have really dirty hand, or is eating something ...
Click to expand...

the prices we pay for our art. sorry. you gotta deal with this. all we can do is be kind (CHANGE, ....its a pun!) to the cards ourselves. and let them handle the abuse our spectators give them.
 
That's a large part of why I always perform with bikes, and bikes are what I carry casually. I don't care if a deck of bikes gets ruined, even if it's brand new, because it's only $2 to replace.
 
ChristopherT said:
That's a large part of why I always perform with bikes, and bikes are what I carry casually. I don't care if a deck of bikes gets ruined, even if it's brand new, because it's only $2 to replace.
Click to expand...
I agree. I use Bikes when I perform on the street or a bar because I know my deck is going to get abused. Now for hire I use Tally's or Split Spades depending on the event.
Tips: keep your hands clean, rotate decks, and try to practice over a mattress or something instead of on tile or wood.
 
worldwideme said:
the prices we pay for our art. sorry. you gotta deal with this. all we can do is be kind (CHANGE, ....its a pun!) to the cards ourselves. and let them handle the abuse our spectators give them.
Click to expand...

Yeah but it's heart breaking for us to see our deck of cards getting dirtied before our own eyes and we're helpless ....
 
I'll be honest, I go into my performances expecting my deck to get destroyed. It doesn't bother me, because I'm usually expecting even worse than they do.
 
j.bayme said:
Cards aren't made of steel - they're made of paper. Therefore, their sworn enemy in life is moisture, whether that be in the form of oils from your hands or humidity outside. To make a deck last as long as possible, make sure your hands are relatively clean before using them, and try to keep them out of hot, humid environments. Heat can be a major factor, as it can cause the finish on the cards to melt and become sticky.

The best protection - wash your hands, don't drop 'em, and keep them in a comfortable environment.
Click to expand...

I live in HK, and here is wet and hot!

Because it's so difficult to keep my cards out of hot, humid environments, i want to share my way to protect them. Clean hands are a must, luckily my hands are not sweaty. Personally, i have a desiccant box to store my cards and i dont use the same deck for a long period(bikes for 30 min, tallyho for 30 min, v4 for 15 min... etc.)
 
Slicke said:
Well everyone are talking about "how to keep your hands clean ...."

BUT

what if someone asks to perform, you take out your perfectly clean shinny deck and realize your spec. have really dirty hand, or is eating something ...
Click to expand...


I always use bikes and they get tossed in the trash after each gig or used for practice.
 
Hans said:
I live in HK, and here is wet and hot!

Because it's so difficult to keep my cards out of hot, humid environments, i want to share my way to protect them. Clean hands are a must, luckily my hands are not sweaty. Personally, i have a desiccant box to store my cards and i dont use the same deck for a long period(bikes for 30 min, tallyho for 30 min, v4 for 15 min... etc.)
Click to expand...

Try Aladdins or Tactical Fields
 
You must log in or register to reply here.