Routine Effect
Phase 1 – A ring & string are shown. The ring magically ties itself to the string.
Phase 2 – A Volunteer holds one end of the string, the string is knotted on the ring 2 times and the ring instantly pulls off of the string.
Phase 3 – The ring is threaded onto the string, and while hanging on the middle of the string, like a pendulum, it melts through – and off of – the string.
Gimmick Preparation
Supplies Needed
- Two shoestrings
- A small magnet
- One steel ring
Get a pair of shoestrings. I prefer bright colors and a pattern. A fairly loose weave will help with inserting the magnet, but if it is too loose, the magnet will not stay in. I found a steel ring at a local carnival, where you toss the ring onto a bottle. I paid to play 4 games, she gave me like 40 rings, and maybe I only tossed 38. It was probably wrong… but I did kind of pay about $2 for two rings. If you have a nearby craft store you can likely find better quality rings – a craft store is not an option where I live.
I use neodymium magnets, as they are very strong, inexpensive, and come in numerous sizes.
I like the small round magnets for this. Depending on the strength of the magnet you may need 2 or 3. I had to use 3 magnets to get the hold I wanted. It should be held firmly, but release easily – without making the string shake too much.
Use an open paperclip, or toothpick to open a space in the shoestring, near the top. Be careful not to tear or cut any of the threads. Insert the magnet into the string. Work it down to the center of the string. Carefully close up the hole you made near the top.
You could insert the magnet directly in the middle of the string, but if any strands of the shoestring get messed up – it will be more visible. Best to insert it at the end and work it down to the center.
Only gimmick one of the shoelaces.
Routine Preparation
Put a normal shoelace (the string) and your steel ring in your right pocket. Put the magnet gimmick shoelace (gimmick string) in your left pocket.
Routine Phase 1
A knot magically appears.
Remove normal string, and steel ring from your right pocket. Double the string, with the fold hanging down (ends in one hand). Thread the ring onto the doubled string. Begin lowering the ring but push it through the opening between 2 strands. Pull down sharply and the middle of the string will tie itself around the ring (cow hitch). Let go of one end of string and display knot. Untie knot manually. Do not just release the hitch.
Routine Phase 2
String knotted on ring 2 times and ring instantly pulls off string.
Have a volunteer help. The volunteer holds one end of the string tightly. Thread the ring onto the string; you hold the other end of the string. Put the ring in about the center of the string. Rotate ring towards you. Call this twist a knot. Put the other end of the string through the ring and mirror the “knot”. Again, call it a knot. Now you hold the other end of the string and keep the string held tightly. You can spin the ring without it coming loose.
Look for the part of the string that goes over the top of the ring. Use your hand to cover the ring and pull the ring off the string by pulling to the right. If you pull to the left, the twists will tighten, to the right they let go. If the string is held too tightly, you can use your thumb to lift the top string a little, to release the ring.
By calling the twists knots, people will see them as knots. This makes the removal magic.
The ring is honestly threaded onto the string but the 2 twists remove it from the string. While the twists are tight the ring stays in place.
Allow the volunteer to inspect the string first, then the ring.
Optional – You can hold one end of the string, or have 2 volunteers each hold an end.
Routine Phase 3
As they inspect the ring you put the already inspected plain string back in your right pocket. As they hand the ring back to you take the ring and reach into your left pocket and pull the gimmick string from that pocket. Note-There is no heat on the switch. You simply put it in your pocket and remove it from the pocket. (Different pocket, but no worries.)
Use the magnet gimmick string and ring for the ring on string trick.
Ring/String Trick Phase 1
Hand position in this is very important. Start with the ring held in your left hand, between your thumb and first finger. Your thumb needs to be at the top. Curl your other fingers into your hand. With your right hand you insert the string into the ring. Hold the string between your thumb and first finger, thumb on top.
The next three steps are done simultaneously.
- First, lower the middle finger of your left hand and clip the string between your fist and middle finger.
- Second, begin pulling the string towards you – out of the ring, and around your middle finger.
- Third, rotate the left hand to bring your first finger to the top, and your thumb and middle finger together.
If this is done as one motion, from the front it will look like the string is still threading onto the ring.
Actually the string is only running along your finger. When you feel the magnet hit the ring, ensure that the magnet is facing the audience and let the string swing freely. It will look like the string is actually around the ring. Do not swing it wildly, but some movement will help with the illusion.
From your side it is very visible that the ring is sitting on the string, but from the front it looks believable.
Ask the volunteer to tell you when to remove the ring. Then quickly say ‘oops, too late’, and show the ring is already off and in your right hand.
Ring/String Trick Optional Phase 2
You can do the exact same move again, but turn your body to show them your view. The trick motion is still hidden from view, just ensure you turn your body back before you let the ring hand down.
Final Thoughts
What I am calling Phase 3, the magnet ring, is its own trick that I have had for many years. I did not like the supplied routine, it was 4 phases of just the ring & magnet string. To me it felt too long, and had too much unnecessary fake science patter trying to make it make sense. The magician teaching it said they have performed the trick for 15 years and had great reactions. That is good for them, but it just never felt right to me.
I recently learned the first 2 tricks, and immediately thought of a routine to combine all 3 tricks into one routine. I like that the first phase introduces the ring & string, and in my hand a “knot” magically appears. Then in phase 2 I get a volunteer to help, and in both our hands two “knots” are tied, and the ring escapes the knots. Then the volunteer can inspect the ring and string. The third phase is a very visual trick, and it really does appear that the ring is threaded onto the string and melts out of the middle.
Phase 3 uses a gimmick string, but the string was already inspected. The pocket switch is a wonderful switch. Harry Anderson regularly used the pocket switch for decks of cards, and he told me that no one ever busted him on it (even in a room full of magicians). You just casually go in and out of your pockets – it just happens to be different pockets.
I was fine with having this trick for years and not using it. Sometimes it takes a while for the inspiration to hit. For me, the addition of the first 2 phases helps me to perform this trick better. That is one of the beauties of magic – you can perform a purchased routine word for word, or you can make your own routine out of it. It all works out.
To see the performance check out the YouTube video @FreeMagicFun https://youtu.be/_Nj6GAnae9A
