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How to Make a Raven Gimmick

The Raven is a very popular street magic gimmick device that allows magicians to make small metal objects disappear in an instant. Spectators hold an item such as a coin or bottle cap in their hand, and the magician passes his hand over the object several times. On the final pass, the object vanishes from the spectator's hand. The gimmick consists of a common retractable badge holder and a magnet capable of picking up small objects. Once an object is attached to the magnet, the gimmick is triggered, and the object is pulled up the magician's sleeve.

Things You'll Need

Earth magnet
Fishing line
Retractable badge holder with belt clip
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the clip off the end of the retractable badge holder, and tie a knot in the cord. Attach the earth magnet to the end of the badge holder cord using tape.
- 2
  Wrap the fishing line around your middle finger, tying a knot in the line to create a loop. Stretch the other end of the fishing line down the palm of your hand. Cut the fishing line at the point where it reaches your wrist.
- 3
  Wrap the cut end of the fishing line around the magnet and secure it with tape. Ensure that the badge holder cord and fishing line are running in opposite directions.
- 4
  Secure the badge holder to your belt, and run the cord up your shirt and out the shirt sleeve of your dominant hand. Place the loop in the fishing line around your middle finger, keeping the magnet in the center of your palm.
- 5
  Trigger the gimmick by bending your middle finger downward and releasing the tension on the fishing line. The magnet will retract into your shirt sleeve along with any metal object attached to it.

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