Sponge ball supply issue?

[erdnasephile]

I have been trying to hunt down some 2 inch orange Magic by Gosh super soft sponge balls. However, after searching around, it seems like the big on-line shops are all out of stock of those and other colors. I emailed Magic by Gosh but didn't get a response. I have emailed several stores that have listed them "in stock" only to find out they were not. Murphy's also seems to be out of 2 inch super softs. 1) Does anyone have a reliable source for these and 2) Is there a supply issue for these and other Magic by Gosh sponge balls? (Yes, I realize there are some generic products out there (and some magic dealers I've never heard of), but I'd prefer to stick with the Magic by Gosh super soft products from a reliable dealer. Thanks!

[Richard Kaufman]

Goshman no longer makes super soft spongeballs.
There is no reliable source at the moment.
But there are definitely some folks trying to start making them again.

[Edward Pungot]

Looks legit but maybe double check if you haven’t already done so. If so maybe bulk buy and qualify for free shipping in addition to out of state non-tax purchase.
https://tricksupply.com/product/2-4-super-soft-sponge-balls-orange/

[erdnasephile]

Thanks to both of you! I'll check it out.
Hard to imagine a magic world without Magic by Gosh.

[Tarotist]

I am still taken aback by the memory of Albert Goshman trying to persuade me to pitch the sponge ball trick for sale to the public. Apart from the exposing aspect of the thing he featured it in his act. He didn't seem to care---he just wanted to sell me the sponge balls. I was quite aghast at the time. Greed is an awful thing!

[Edward Pungot]

Current Classic [from the sea] a la Sawa con Carney
https://jadeandpearl.com/sea-pearls-reusable-sea-sponges/

[Bob Farmer]

Apparently the shortage of sponge balls is a result of the members of the magic sponge ball cartel (MSBC) limiting supply to push up prices. This happened once before, in 1987, when long lines of magicians were seen outside magic shops nationwide hoping to score some of the supply, only to see the disappointing signs in many windows (next to the Phantom Tubes) reading, "No Sponge Balls Here." There also has been some talk that the shortage of sponge balls happened because of a run on them triggered by the belief that sponge ball magic in general, and particularly the one-in-the-hand, one-in-the pocket routine, would be made illegal, and those with sponge balls would have to turn them in if bought after the ban took effect.

[Dustin Stinett]

In answering the question "Where do you get your super soft sponge balls?" during a lecture, the performer--who I will not name for his safety--said that he bought the entire supply of all the online sources he could find when he discovered that Magic by Gosh was not making them any longer. Instant shortage.

[Richard Kaufman]

Shigeru Sugawara invented the super soft sponge while working for Tenyo. Why Tenyo stopped making them I don't know. Goshman copied Tenyo's innovation.

[Q. Kumber]

I was told that the chemicals used to make them were the cause of the problem.

[Joe Naud]

I’m the sales manager at D. Robbins and Steve Goshman, who produced all the stuff for many years and solo since Covid is now working with some Chinese manufacturers to use his proprietary formulas to make sponge balls and shapes. He has told me that the super soft balls may be even softer than they were before. He has 2 inch balls available and is close to having super soft in the same size and likely others in the not too distant future. So many of the balls and shapes including bunnies, will start showing up more and more in 2024.
Peace, Joe

[Ted M]

In answering the question "Where do you get your super soft sponge balls?" during a lecture, the performer--who I will not name for his safety--said that he bought the entire supply of all the online sources he could find when he discovered that Magic by Gosh was not making them any longer. Instant shortage.

I will recklessly rush to judgment and blame...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CijZ_-4Bnow

[Richard Kaufman]

That's not Tom's type of behavior.

[Chris Aguilar]

These are quite nice.

https://tccmagic.com/products/new-sponge-ball

[PressureFan]

This is absorbing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfDyOyrY-zM

[erdnasephile]

These are quite nice.

https://tccmagic.com/products/new-sponge-ball

Hi, Chris: I saw those. Have you had a chance to use them? If so, how do they compare with the Magic by Gosh sets? (I saw someplace on line where the reviewer claimed they were a lot firmer and didn't expand as much as the Goshman brand). The cheaper price is certainly a point in favor.

[Dustin Stinett]

I will recklessly rush to judgment and blame...

It was not Tom.

[Chris Aguilar]

These are quite nice.

https://tccmagic.com/products/new-sponge-ball

Hi, Chris: I saw those. Have you had a chance to use them? If so, how do they compare with the Magic by Gosh sets? (I saw someplace on line where the reviewer claimed they were a lot firmer and didn't expand as much as the Goshman brand). The cheaper price is certainly a point in favor.

Mine expanded nicely (after wetting). They are soft, but I'd say only slightly firmer than the Goshman balls I had in the past. For the price, it doesn't cost much to check them out.

[Ted M]

I will recklessly rush to judgment and blame...

It was not Tom.

Alas! His routine's stupendous finale would totally justify cornering the market!