Substitutions for Rope

Maaz Hasan · Dec 31, 2017

Rope magic is one of my favorite types of magic. However, if someone is going to do a casual performance, or one that is Guerilla or walk up style, a rope is kind of a weird thing to have with you. I recently read about a great rope trick, but didn't really know where to go with it in a more "modern fashion" (I mean, obviously people didn't carry ropes around with them 60 years ago, but modern in the sense of a more modern style of performing). So far, here is what I've come up with, in order from best idea to worst idea:

Lanyards
Shoe laces
Large Rubber-bands
Floss
Just use rope
Chains (the type people wear around their necks)

Any other ideas?

010rusty · Dec 31, 2017

I've actually been working for a while now, on routines that use substitute ropes.
My top 2 substitutes are: Headphone (or earbuds), and hoodie strings.

Maaz Hasan · Dec 31, 2017

010rusty said:
I've actually been working for a while now, on routines that use substitute ropes.
My top 2 substitutes are: Headphone (or earbuds), and hoodie strings.

Oh of course! How could I forget headphones?

ChrisJGJ · Dec 31, 2017

scarf

CWhite · Dec 31, 2017

A belt?
USB cord?
Garland from a Christmas Tree?
Yarn?

That's all I've got... unless you're tieing people up. Then I've got more ideas.. lol

Maaz Hasan · Dec 31, 2017

CWhite said:
A belt?
USB cord?
Garland from a Christmas Tree?
Yarn?

That's all I've got... unless you're tieing people up. Then I've got more ideas.. lol

The only problem with a belt and a USB courd is that they aren't too too bendy. And a belt is too thick.

And lol

Great Ideas though.

ChrisJGJ said:
scarf

A scarf is a great idea!

DavidL11229 · Dec 31, 2017

Paracord- many people are familiar with the bracelets.

For something more visible (an advantage rope has) then ribbon for the present you need to wrap.

Rope is an ordinary item, I would still lean towards that. Your justification for having it needs to be nothing more than you can do something with it.

010rusty · Dec 31, 2017

DavidL11229 said:
Your justification for having it needs to be nothing more than you can do something with it.

You must have never met Maaz. He's really really good at justifying every prop he uses.

Maaz Hasan · Dec 31, 2017

010rusty said:
You must have never met Maaz. He's really really good at justifying every prop he uses.

lol thanks

Actually, if I do bring a rope, it would totally be in a patter about kidnapping people. These opportunities don't come up often enough.

And now that I have found my justification for using a rope, I no longer need to worry about this (even though I plan on using some of the things mentioned above as more "organic" versions of rope tricks).

Al e Cat Dabra · Dec 31, 2017

Maybe a necktie, especially a thin one. I have a couple with playing cards on them, or a plain white one with a black shirt could be v stylish.

DavidL11229 · Jan 1, 2018

Sooooo, what trick was this or at least where did you read it? I love rope magic too. Cut and restored, prof nightmare(s), ring on rope, Sandsational. Got something to add?

Maaz Hasan · Jan 1, 2018

DavidL11229 said:
Sooooo, what trick was this or at least where did you read it? I love rope magic too. Cut and restored, prof nightmare(s), ring on rope, Sandsational. Got something to add?

I read it in Jinx Magazine. It was actually a Ring trick called "Pretty Bauble" where the ring starts out on the loop of rope or ribbon, and the spectator unties it and takes it off. The ring is placed into your hand by the spectator. He/she ties the loop back together and holds it, and the ring instantly jumps back onto the loop, and you're left clean.

RealityOne · Jan 1, 2018

Velvet cord. Since you are using it with a ring, it could be the type of cord used by jewelry stores to keep people from stealing the ring. Not my idea, but Greg Wilson's.