Magic Lessons #59 – Sneaky Shoelace Trick
The Sneaky Shoelace Trick is simple to learn and perform, making it the perfect magic trick to perform for strolling magic or a regular magic show. The audience participation is great and makes it a fast and fun introductory trick for your magic sets. It’s a great way to interact and build a connection with your audience.
I have also been told that the Sneaky Shoelace Trick makes for a great bar trick for bartenders. The natural positioning of the audience around the bar does work well with this magic trick. The bar also provides plenty of cover for your sneaky moves and the sneaky shoelace trick can still work if a drink somehow makes it wet (although it may not be pleasant for the audience).
Hang Em High:
The moves are simple, the handling is easy and it is similar to the cut and restored trick except for the face that nothing ever has to get cut. I first stumbled upon the idea of the shoelace trick while watching the ‘Idiot Rope Trick’ on Bob Sheet’s “Hang Em High” video. Although the video did not explain the trick, the handling was very self explanatory.
I’m a fan of Bob Sheets performances and I think you will too. I recommend you check out some of his work, there is a lot to learn from him. The Sneaky Shoelace Trick benefits from using a shoelace as it gives you a motive to want to cut the shoelaces. Running shoes commonly come with comically long laces and you have to cut the ends of them and recreate the aglets for them (the plastic bit at the end of the laces are called ‘aglets’) Why is that? If you have an answer as to why, contact me and let me know. There are multiple props you can use instead of a shoelace. Just be careful because the thicker the string is, the harder it is to hide when you are transferring it from hand to hand. This is why I recommended using the shoelace as it is just the right size to help maintain the subtlety.
Rope Disposal Tips:
After many performances I have found that the sneaky shoelace trick is better when you make a dramatic effort to find the scissors. It helps divert the attention of the helpers and the audience and when it is diverted you give up looking for the scissors. Everyone will refocus on the string and discover that it is now shorter.
The climax of the sneaky shoelace trick is not the rope but the reactions from the helpers who are holding the rope. Try to get the lace back and move on as fast as possible. This is a gag rather than a trick and it works better if you treat it as such.
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Instead of sticky tape you can use heat shrink tubing to make a better, permanent end. I use it on another similar shoe lace trick. Available from Jaycar electronics. Heat shrink tube does what the name implies, it shrinks tightly around the lace end when heated, sealing it perfectly.
Love the trick can’t wait to perform it !
Thank you Julian, very clever.