Gravity Holdout

Discuss your favorite close-up tricks and methods.
Kent Gunn
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Gravity Holdout

Postby Kent Gunn » June 23rd, 2018, 4:23 pm

A pal of mine in Indy has manufactured a new design for a gravity holdout. I've been in communication with him for two years. He sent me the first one off the line.
He had nine in stock, when I spoke with him earlier thi week.

I use his model to do my cups and balls routine. You can order it with either a 1:1 or a 2:1 ratio. I think he's getting 350 dollars for it. He has a great set of videos you get with it.

If you are a holdout freak, like me or if you ever wanted to start on this path. This is a great choice.

https://holdoutpro.com

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Spellbinder
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Spellbinder » June 25th, 2018, 5:30 pm

That's funny! I remember when Jack Miller came up with his gravity holdout made from a fish weight, a wooden clothespin and some cord, and sold it for $10.00.
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Richard Kaufman » June 25th, 2018, 11:21 pm

Not the same thing at all.
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Ian Kendall
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Ian Kendall » June 30th, 2018, 4:54 pm

That's not unlike comparing a Model-T to an Aston Martin...

Roger M.
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Roger M. » June 30th, 2018, 6:05 pm

I get that there may be injection molding, metal machining, etc on these contemporary hold-outs ... but ultimately they're all still the fishing weight, clothespin, and bit of string that Jack Miller imagined (and sold for $10.00) all those years ago.

I you bought his book, and built one yourself ... you likely spent less than $1.00 on materials.
The only "feature" Jack's didn't have that the contemporary versions do have, is a lock.

Replace the clothespin with a Bulldog clip, or a Bean-shooter attachment ... and it's at heart the same as anything being sold today.

Kent Gunn
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Kent Gunn » June 30th, 2018, 9:30 pm

Have you guys seen the Fitch Kohler holdout? Have you seen Antonio Romero's?

I have one the holdout made and sold as a Miller holdout (thanks Ron).

We've come a long way baby. Adjustable gear ratios, the ability to switch end effectors, on the fly have greatly added to the tool's efficacy.

Denigrating a tool you choose not to use or know little of is fine. I found it a difficult road trying to figure out how to incorporate it into some of the tricks I do.

Yes, there's a string tied to one wrist and heavy stuff slides up and down your other sleeve. How many great principles in magic are just as simple?

This thing took two years of my life to develop.

https://youtu.be/wksAZSAccvQ

For me, Jack Miller's simple idea is awesome and I welcome any advancement in my little back room of magic. I won't make fun of your choices, just because I don't use them.

If you get Dave's Gizmo, strap it on and go through his videos, you'll have a tool that far surpasses any thing Jack Miller ever dreamt of.

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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Roger M. » July 1st, 2018, 2:29 pm

Ahhhh, I should make clear that I wasn't denigrating anybodies product, or belittling the technological advancement of any given magical device.

What I said what that ... at heart ... all gravity hold-outs are basically Jack Millers hold-out at their core (a true statement if there ever was one).

I think to put forward that something developed in 2018 as a gravity hold-out so far exceeds Jack's original design that it is no longer related to it in any way is ... well - just a bit of an overstatement.

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Spellbinder
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Spellbinder » July 1st, 2018, 2:45 pm

I didn't mean to put anyone's nose out of joint in a snit. The humor goes back even further than with Jack Miller's $10 holdout. After paying that exorbitant amount of money (well, it seemed exorbitant at the time!) to Jack after one of his lectures, and working with his hold-out for almost two years afterwards, I eventually discovered that it wasn't worth the time and effort to strap up before every performance when the same results could be had by using good old sleight of hand and misdirection even when wearing a short sleeve T-shirt. The joke was on me! It was like traveling the world in search of the bluebird of happiness only to discover it living in my own backyard. Please, feel free to spend hundreds of dollars for your magic gadgets and gizmos. Sooner or later you will come to enjoy the same joke and the more you pay, the funnier it will be.
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 1st, 2018, 5:08 pm

I've seen what Kent does with the holdout. It cannot be replicated by sleight of hand--that's why he uses the holdout!
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Brad Jeffers
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Brad Jeffers » July 1st, 2018, 7:01 pm

The Stealth Professional Gravity Holdout is invisible, comfortable, flexible, and durable.
It's 35 times better than the Jack Miller holdout.

~ consider this an unsolicited endorsement ~

Kent Gunn
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Kent Gunn » July 2nd, 2018, 11:58 am

Richard,

Hope to see you at Magi-Fest. I've several routines I think you might enjoy. Quit posting videos of my stuff. It was stupid to do so. Now I'm the hold-out guy. Magic, secrets . . . I'm a dork.


KG

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Richard Kaufman » July 2nd, 2018, 1:04 pm

Kent, what's a holdout?
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Steve Bryant
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Steve Bryant » July 2nd, 2018, 5:08 pm

I had nooo idea you were using a holdout. Just assumed you were a snappy dresser.

Bill Mullins
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Bill Mullins » July 2nd, 2018, 11:29 pm

Steve Bryant wrote:I had nooo idea you were using a holdout. Just assumed you were a snappy dresser.


Could be both. There's no reason to perform miracles and look like a slob.

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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Doomo » July 5th, 2018, 3:03 pm

Advanced technology in holdouts has created a much more versatile tool. Thinking it is the same as it ever was is how ya get yer ass fooled badly!
RFA Productions yeah... It is cool stuff.

www.rfaproductions.com

David-HP
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby David-HP » July 13th, 2018, 1:23 am

Hello everyone,
As the creator of the Stealth holdout I have to say it's a relief to finally release this device to the magic community.It's going on 4 years since the idea was conceived and at times thought we'd never see the finish line but we we're determined to see it through.

The holdout is unique in the way it locks and at this time we have two travel options 1:1 & 2:1 with a detachable Miller style clip.Included is a video download of detailed explanation of the device,moves & maintenance.I'll also be doing a series of short videos of tricks & making attachments.

My brother/partner who is the design engineer on this project really exceeded my expectations and has created one of the coolest gadgets I own!
Kent,thanks for the kind words and I'm glad the stealth is working out for you.

Dave

BrandonWilliams
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby BrandonWilliams » February 16th, 2019, 12:32 pm

Does anyone know if the Stealth Holdout is still available? I've tried contacting them multiple times through their website to no avail.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 16th, 2019, 12:49 pm

You could have Googled it: https://holdoutpro.com/
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BrandonWilliams
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby BrandonWilliams » February 16th, 2019, 1:04 pm

Per my query above, I'm aware of the website. I have tried to contact them multiple times through the contact form there and have received no response, which makes me wonder if they are either defunct or not reputable. Was hoping to get some feedback here before I blindly purchase a relatively expensive prop from an unknown(to me) source.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 16th, 2019, 5:37 pm

If you know the guy's name you should be able to Google him and locate him in the White Pages. Then you can call him!
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BrandonWilliams
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby BrandonWilliams » February 16th, 2019, 5:51 pm

Unfortunately, his name doesn't appear on his website, and "Dave" returns 37,768 results on whitepages.com.

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Brian Douglas
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Brian Douglas » February 16th, 2019, 5:53 pm

This is starting to sound like a Cheech and Chong sketch...

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Richard Kaufman » February 16th, 2019, 8:28 pm

Contact has been made on your behalf.
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BrandonWilliams
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby BrandonWilliams » February 17th, 2019, 3:14 am

Thank you.

Kent Gunn
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Kent Gunn » February 17th, 2019, 5:27 am

I'm trying to get you a status. I've called Dave. No answering machine is set up.

Plan to call again today.

I suspect they've sold out of the stock they had.

KG

BrandonWilliams
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby BrandonWilliams » February 17th, 2019, 12:05 pm

Thank you Kent. Keep me posted.

Kent Gunn
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby Kent Gunn » February 17th, 2019, 5:00 pm

Spoke with Dave.

They have several holdouts in stock and should get back to you forthwith.

KG

BrandonWilliams
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Re: Gravity Holdout

Postby BrandonWilliams » February 17th, 2019, 5:11 pm

Great news. You rock!


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