Needle Swallowing

[LegerdemainMagic]

I've been doing Jim Steinmeyer's needle swallowing routine for a few months, it gets a great reaction and until recently I hadn't had many problems with it.

But the past couple of times I've performed, the needles and thread have knotted up and unravel badly.

At the moment, I use polyester thread, because it's strong, and I roll the needles and thread in the standard way - I also use Steve Spills tip of not rolling the last bit of thread round the needle so that you get a kind of jolting effect.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong and wondered if anybody has any advice. Is there a better thread to use (I was thinking of trying fishing line)? Is there a better way of rolling the needles and thread.

Any ideas would be very welcome. It's such a beautiful piece of magic and I keep losing the big money shot!

Many thanks
James

[Richard Kaufman]

Here's a tip for you: a famous magic insider saw Houdini's packet and noticed that the tips and eyes of the needles were alternating, facing opposite directions.
This is a big clue to the preparation.

[LegerdemainMagic]

Thanks for the clue, I'll give it some thought.

[de ritis]

The source of the "famous magic insider", having opened Houdini's drawer in his very young age, is worth to be tracked for more clues on this and many other classics.

[LegerdemainMagic]

Thanks, sounds like I need to go and do a bit of research!