# Rubber Band Magic Trick (Redux) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 15, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197 "2004-07-15T02:28:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/1 "2004-07-15T02:28:16Z")
[very cautiously] Does anyone know how the Crazy Man’s Handcuffs trick is done? I found [this](http://goodtricks.net/crazy.html) site that explains what to do, but it isn’t entirely clear. Specifically, after you’ve got the two bands set up one behind the other, it says “Stretch the rubber bands back towards your wrist.” I’ve seen it done quickly and it looks really cool, but I’m not following the concept. Can anyone clarify how to perform this trick? \*Please explain it in your own words. Do not reproduce any copywrited material. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/2 "2004-07-15T02:30:22Z")
Five four three two… ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/3 "2004-07-15T02:35:54Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#): > > Five four three two… Actually, [I was told it would be OK](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=266416) > [@](#): > > In the examples you cited, if you post information that comes from a source that does not violate someone else’s rights to their property, it’s not a problem. It’s incumbent upon YOU to prove that you’re not ripping them off. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/4 "2004-07-15T02:40:46Z")
If that quote is where you think you were told its ok, you’re mistaken. Re-read the last sentence of that quote. The straightdope staff still hasn’t come to a decision on whether or not its ok yet but most of us are hoping questions like yours will be allowed to be answered. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/5 "2004-07-15T02:41:04Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#): > > Five four three two… All the discussion I have read on the subject in the Pit and in the thread in ATMB seems to indicate that a description of the trick _in one’s own words_ is not a copyright violation and is not illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/6 "2004-07-15T02:45:21Z")
> [@x-ray vision](#): > > If that quote is where you think you were told its ok, you’re mistaken. Re-read the last sentence of that quote. The straightdope staff still hasn’t come to a decision on whether or not its ok yet but most of us are hoping questions like yours will be allowed to be answered. For what it’s worth, I read that quote exactly the same as **jayrot** has. Anything other than a verbatim quote should be OK. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/7 "2004-07-15T02:58:51Z")
For the sake of forum integrity, let’s not highjack this _factual_ thread. There are plenty of other threads regarding the Magicgate Scandal. Unfortunately, I’m not holding out much hope for **Ianzin** coming to answer my question even though he seems to be a resource on the subject. Any other magicians out there? ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/8 "2004-07-15T13:04:12Z")
Magician checking in here. I do the Crazy Man’s Handcuffs. Jayrot, I am presuming you are either a Magician or a magic enthusiast. So, to keep the secret of this effect, I can offer you two options. First, look up “Elastrix - The Encyclopedia of Rubber Band Magic”. The effect is listed there. Second, you can e-mail me at the address listed in my profile. I would be glad to discuss the effect with you. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/9 "2004-07-15T13:10:38Z")
**Jayrot** , I’ve e-mailed you regarding this. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/10 "2004-07-15T17:52:59Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **All the discussion I have read on the subject in the Pit and in the thread in ATMB seems to indicate that a description of the trick _in one’s own words_ is not a copyright violation and is not illegal.** Bolding mine. This is my understanding as well. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/11 "2004-07-15T19:02:28Z")
> [@Jayrot](#): > > Can anyone clarify how to perform this trick? Doing this trick is a simple matter of On the Job Training, AKA, “OJT” Get two rubber bands about 2" long in their relaxed state and follow the directions on the site linked VERY CAREFULLY The crux of the manipulation is in using the middle finger correctly. PS I am not a magician nor an amateur but it presented no problem. Try it over and over carefully following the directions. You should be able to do it on the second or third attempt. ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/12 "2004-07-15T20:15:57Z")
It’s easy to do, but it’s hard to do _well._ Also, it helps if your elastics are well-matched. Ie, use elastics of the same type. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/13 "2004-07-15T20:49:48Z")
> [@Trigonal Planar](#): > > It’s easy to do, but it’s hard to do _well._ Hmmm. I beg to differ. It’s hard to do, and impossible to do _well_. Or maybe I’m just a klutz. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/14 "2004-07-15T21:54:54Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > Hmmm. I beg to differ. It’s hard to do, and impossible to do _well_. Or maybe I’m just a klutz. 🙂 Practice, practice, & more practice makes perfect , unless you have arthritis. Old Chinese Proverb: What one fool can do, Another can. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/15 "2004-07-15T23:05:01Z")
Could we ask **Trigonal Planar** to reiterate his description of the trick? ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/16 "2004-07-16T13:47:06Z")
Hmm, unfortunately I don’t have access to any elastics right now and I can’t describe it without doing the motions. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubber-band-magic-trick-redux/255197/17 "2004-07-16T14:47:54Z")
Damn! The magic mafia has gotten to **Trigonal Planar** , too.