Tacky Hands

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Rick_S
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Tacky Hands

Postby Rick_S » May 20th, 2022, 6:13 pm

I used to use Zim's Crack Creme, which gave my rather dry hands enough tack execute card and coin sleights. This product is available for an unreasonable price of $98 for 4 ounces (not gonna happen). I've tried glycerin and rose water, but it really doesn't work very well for me. I've rejected Golden, as it smells like a cheap suntan lotion and is too greasy.

I was wondering what folks use to improve their grip on cards and coins.

Thanks!

Rick

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AJM
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby AJM » May 20th, 2022, 6:47 pm

O’Keefe’s Working Hands

kkelly
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby kkelly » May 20th, 2022, 7:46 pm

AJM wrote:O’Keefe’s Working Hands

nothing better!

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 20th, 2022, 8:29 pm

Another vote for Okeefe's
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Chris Aguilar
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Chris Aguilar » May 20th, 2022, 8:46 pm

O'keefes is aces.

Tarotist
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Tarotist » May 20th, 2022, 10:21 pm

I think the solution is to move to a different country. Ever since I came to this fridge of a country my hands have become dry. In the UK's damp climate and Ireland's even damper I had no trouble. I use that O'Keefe stuff but it is a bit limited and doesn't last all day. Ten minutes if you are lucky.

Rick_S
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Rick_S » May 21st, 2022, 12:05 pm

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations! However, I think moving to Ireland is pretty much out of the question. ;)

Tarotist
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Tarotist » May 21st, 2022, 5:25 pm

Very wise. It rains every second day there.

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erdnasephile
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby erdnasephile » May 22nd, 2022, 7:58 am

I recently tried "Golden Touch" which Ed Marlo apparently used to use (see the cover of "Marlo without Tears") and it's my current favorite. I've also used "Corn Huskers lotion" in the past which also worked well.

Bob Farmer
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Bob Farmer » May 22nd, 2022, 8:27 am

Use Picker's Grip:

https://pickersgrip.com/products/pickers-grip

It also works really well as roughing fluid.

Bob Farmer
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Bob Farmer » May 22nd, 2022, 8:28 am


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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 22nd, 2022, 12:10 pm

Jennings also used Chamberlain's Golden Touch with success.
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JimKane
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby JimKane » May 23rd, 2022, 6:57 pm

Has no one experience with Norm Nielsen's Manipulation Lotion?

Does Lupe' still offer this?

- Jim

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katterfelt0
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby katterfelt0 » May 23rd, 2022, 10:39 pm

I've found the key to Chamberlain's is to use the tiniest bit. If you think you've done that, you probably still put too much on.
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Bill Mullins
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Bill Mullins » May 24th, 2022, 11:21 am

Bob Farmer wrote:Rezvani suggested ear wax.


Note to self: Rezvani gets an elbow bump instead of a hand shake.

Michael Rubinstein
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Michael Rubinstein » August 1st, 2022, 5:41 pm

I have tried a bunch of stuff. I first apply a rosewater and glycerine solution used by Ricky Jay and David Roth (the one I use is made by Heritage Store) and rub it into my hands to moisturize them. I then use a tich of vegetable glycerin where I need it, to make certain parts of my hands a bit tackier (fingertips, palms), which lasts longer then just the glycerine/rose water spray.
On the other hand, if my hands get too sweaty or tacky which can be detrimental if I need coins to slide well, I will carry with me a damp wash cloth to remove the tackiness. That happens in very hot rooms.

PressureFan
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby PressureFan » August 1st, 2022, 6:48 pm

For tacky, use a tiny bit of Peckerhead Mustache Wax. Then lightly wash your hands with soap and warm water. The pine resin does the trick.

When I was a bartender magician I’d rub a block of paraffin wax between my hands, then rub as much off as I could with a towel. It wasn’t tacky, but it gave me a fair non-slip grip in a wet environment.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Richard Kaufman » August 1st, 2022, 7:35 pm

Gene Maze used to make his own solution of Rose Water and Glycerine.
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Michael Rubinstein
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Michael Rubinstein » August 5th, 2022, 9:57 pm

Y understanding was that Ricky Jay and David Roth both did as well. Roth never told me the ratio. The product I mentioned was a combo product I found on Amazon, but by itself it doesn't provide enough of a tacky feeling.

Teddyboy
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Teddyboy » September 26th, 2023, 1:37 pm

Don't give up on glycerin. Virtually all the products mentioned have glycerin as a major component. I have found that the following is quite good:
3 parts glycerin
2 parts alcohol
3 parts toner (including Chamberlain's moisturizer, or alcohol-free witch hazel).
The 37.5% glycerin gives me a very useful level of tackiness. I believe it lasts at least 30 minutes depending on how much you apply.
Good luck.

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jplibby
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby jplibby » February 16th, 2024, 8:16 pm

I think John Calvert also used Golden Touch lotion.
I can only say it works for me!

jason156
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby jason156 » February 17th, 2024, 4:39 am

I have always recommended Corn Husker's Lotion.

Edward Pungot
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Edward Pungot » February 17th, 2024, 5:50 am

Rosin Spray (100% Rosin, Alcohol)
https://www.hammergripstore.com/products/gecko-mist-rosin-spray-50-ml

I read about rosin powder in the Malini book by Cohen for the Leipzig cane grips. I had some additional notes on the cane moves by Perovich, so I inquired more into this and found a liquid spray version since I didn’t want to deal with powder. It has a nice light pine smell but only when you put your nose right up to the palm. One pump on each hand and gently massaged into hands and fingers does the trick.

Bob Farmer
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Bob Farmer » February 18th, 2024, 3:23 pm

The rosin spray is also great for roughing fluid since the original formula for that stuff was rosin. I ordered some of this stuff and it works perfectly and is cheaper than the other stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/Grip-Hand-Grip-S ... hdGY&psc=1

Bob Farmer
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Bob Farmer » February 19th, 2024, 8:19 am

More experiments show the rosin spray does not work well as roughing fluid. It hardens rather than staying tacky. Back to Testor's Dullcote. Incidentally, I have it on good authority (a pole dancer) that pole dancers use this stuff.

Edward Pungot
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Re: Tacky Hands

Postby Edward Pungot » February 19th, 2024, 11:30 am

The rosin stuff is quite strong and long lasting on the hands even after several washings with soap and water. It might be a good thing to do if it’s a bit too much to lessen the strength. I felt the tacky sensation all throughout the day. Incidentally, my hands tended to sweat even more perhaps to compensate for apparent sensation of blockage around the pores. So when handling coins it was good for a while but slippage became an issue if I didn’t wipe off the excess sweat caused by pore blockage.

Cane work (or pole dancing for that matter (maybe “pole worker” (pc))) works like a charm.

Rose water looks promising. I saw a bottle of the stuff at the Mediterranean market the other day. May have to pickup a bottle next time.

My personal recommendation: drink lots of water throughout the day. Internal Hydration


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