Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Discuss your favorite close-up tricks and methods.
Bob Farmer
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Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby Bob Farmer » November 6th, 2022, 9:32 am

I have a couple of sets of mini Chop Cups in aluminum and brass made by Herb Morrissey way back when.

Who makes the best mini Chop Cups today?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am writing a new manuscript on this area.

kkelly
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby kkelly » November 6th, 2022, 10:13 am

i have seen some very nice leather mini chop cups sold on different facebook marketplace pages by J Burke Whittaker.

MagicbyAlfred
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby MagicbyAlfred » November 6th, 2022, 11:42 am

I think it depends on how you define "best." If we're talking durability and aesthetics, then I think the Don Alan and Rings N' Things Mini chop cups are definitely in the running. The Don Alan is made of sterling silver and goes for a hefty $295, although I can't speak to how they handle (that most often depends on the particular ball being used). If, however, we are talking about deceptive and innocuous, I like the little black plastic ones you can get for a few bucks. Unlike metal chop cups, no one (or at least very few people) would dream that there is a m_ _ n _ t. Although some magicians are likely to turn up their noses at the very idea, I have used these with good success, with the final loads being a miniature rubber basketball, a football, and a soccer ball -- and sometimes, a golf ball or a few Hershey kisses as a kicker.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby Richard Kaufman » November 6th, 2022, 12:18 pm

Rings n Things.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Bob Farmer
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby Bob Farmer » November 6th, 2022, 12:58 pm

Alfred, do you have a link for the plastic cups? I really like that idea.

It does not matter how much you pay for a Chop Cup if the routine is no good.

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katterfelt0
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby katterfelt0 » November 6th, 2022, 1:11 pm

Bob Farmer wrote:Alfred, do you have a link for the plastic cups? I really like that idea.

Here is a link to one plastic chop cup.
Tom Ladshaw also has one.
Effect and method are inextricably linked.

MagicbyAlfred
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby MagicbyAlfred » November 6th, 2022, 1:26 pm

Bob Farmer wrote:Alfred, do you have a link for the plastic cups? I really like that idea.

It does not matter how much you pay for a Chop Cup if the routine is no good.


Bob,

I bought mine from Madhatter Magic (dirt cheap) but they work easily and come with the balls.
https://madhattermagicshop.com/magicsho ... cription=0

JHostler
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby JHostler » November 6th, 2022, 1:27 pm

Gareth Gwatkin (Hidden Wren) does amazing work. His Brown Oak Stubby set might qualify as mini...
http://www.hiddenwrenmagic.com/chop-cups/
"The gnomes' ambition is handicapped by laziness." Adapted from Charles Bukowski, and clearly evident at http://www.gnominal.com

kkelly
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby kkelly » November 6th, 2022, 4:23 pm

i have the plastic mini chop cup that i got from hocus pocus. it's black. i was really hoping that it would be compatible with the old adams plastic cups and balls set and at first glance it appears to be. unfortunately, it is a bit too big and doesn't nest well with the others.

Bob Farmer
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby Bob Farmer » November 6th, 2022, 5:20 pm

Great posts--thank you. I have found the plastic Chop Cup by Uday and ordered. I'm working on a new manuscript on the Chop Cup. Teller read an early version and said about it, "A work by a mad genius." Members of my family agree. I will advise when it is available. It will also include an extensive examination of Kirk's Kup with details on how to make your own.

BarryAllen
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby BarryAllen » November 21st, 2022, 6:41 am

That's an excellent point made by Alfred about plastic/magnetism not being considered as overly compatible.

Nothing wrong with using plastic cups. In fact, I seem to remember reading somewhere that Michael Skinner used the basic, beginners plastic cups & balls for his close-up work in Las Vegas.

Props don't have to look high quality - it's what you do with them that counts.

These days, I'm going out with very little other than a small pad of paper, a few envelopes, a pack of cards and a Swami. Along with Palm Reading, I'm getting better responses than anything I've done in over 40 years. Maybe I was just a Two Bob Close-upper!

jergen
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby jergen » December 7th, 2022, 8:44 am

The water bird has 'em for $4.30 USD

GO HERE:
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S12703

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Jim Gerrish
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby Jim Gerrish » December 7th, 2022, 1:25 pm

Consider using a collapsible travel cup of metal, plastic or silicone. It's easy to carry, and can be made to appear and disappear by the knowledgeable magician to enhance whatever routine you want to do with it - chop cup or full cups and balls routines.
One source: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=collapsible+cups&crid=21OVKTV3I1IL4

freddiesmagic
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Re: Who Makes the Best Mini Chop Cup?

Postby freddiesmagic » December 21st, 2022, 9:36 am

I've always used the small black plastic Chop Cups by Vincenzo Di Fatta. Nothing fancy but perfect for not taking up too much pocket space, and great for producing golf balls (which was great for most of the older gents at my gigs), and small sponge balls which you can easily use to segway into the next trick / routine.

By the way I have this item on my website if you're interested

https://freddiesmagic.com/product/the-chop-cup/


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