I've just received my first ever spirit writer (swami, c-type) and was wondering if anyone here has suggestions for types of lead and what kind of paper makes the best writing surface.

I'm using the enclosed lead at the moment (a bit too hard, methinks... I'm going to have to pick up something softer) and practicing on blank inkjet business cards (kinda stiff but still tricky to write on).

( I will probably get the TT and boon style writers at some point, just to have variety in choice, but they're more expensive so I'll have to wait for another paycheck ).

What do you use?

I have the C type and I don't like it,

Too hard to remove, conceal and get it back on again.

The TT swami is the most practical for parlor even stage, it's easy to palm and very hard to loose. It also fits nice and will never fell off your thumb.

The Boon style is very practical for close-up, easy to carry around too.

I have a couple of swami's but I alway come down to use my TT swami.

The best surface to work with is probably a thick pack of post-it notes, buisiness cards, a notepad with those kinds of cardboard back.

Take a look in 13 steps, first chapter they deal about all issues and ideas etc.

~Max

Oh!

Also a little tip I can give you,

Before buying leads that measures 3 minimeters long and cost 5$ each, Take a normal pen, an xacto knife (and a LOT of caution there) cut the pen the long way and remove the wood part of the pen.

Then take the carbon shaft, and cut it in smaller pieces. I broke one pen and after probably, a year and half, I still use the same broken pen.

And I got it from a 30 pen pack going for 2$

Also practice writing the alphabets and digits. Do it until you use up a dozen of leads, then you will be able to write full phrases even faster than with a pen, you will also be able to write in your pocket or with your hand hanging by your side.

Also look for Annenmann book Practical mental magic/effect (PMM and PME is the same). In envelope necromacy, there are a couple of nice effects with it.

In 13 steps it's a couple of quickies now and then.

Have fun with it!
~Max

Personally my favorite Swami writer is the "Boon" type. It takes practice to get real good with it. I'll have to check out Practical Mental Magic .

13 Steps to Mentalism has a whole chapter dedicated to the NW. In it, corinda talks about the different types of writers the best leads to put in the writers the best surface to write on the best way to hold the card or paper and has dozens of really practical effects. Highly recomended.

yeah, i know, i have the book. but Bliztmagic said that he found "PMM" to have much more things to do with a writer than 13 steps.

No,

PMM have longer routines in it,

13 steps has more material on SW, they teach everything, but in PMM it's NOT, in 13 steps the effects are ''quickies''

~Max

The book that comes with the C-type makes it worth the 5 bucks it costs. I would also advise a boon type. Oh, and Blitzmagic, did you mean pencil? Cause I have never seen a pen with carbon or wood.

Yes a pencil,

It has kind of a wood part, and inside a cylinder, it's what you take.
~Max

Is the C-Type swami the one that's also called an 'undernail-writer'? I've been looking for one of those on penguin for a while and can't seem to find it. If it is available would it be possible for someone to provide a link?
Thanks,
Brad

This is the one I bought. The package includes four nail writers, spare leads, and a booklet:

http://www.spookclub.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=1610

That's a pretty good price, hows their quality?

That is the one I bought for 5 bucks at a local magic shop. The book is good, a lot of information, but the Swami type really isn't my thing.