talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

Sales blurb copied from the web site:

"FRICTO FLUID" is a fantastic new product available exclusively through Mike Danata's Magic Studio in the U.K. "Fricto" is not only a great substitute for "Roughing fluid" when applied sparingly to playing cards, (The smallest amount goes a very long way!) but it also "Holds" two cards together WITHOUT being "Sticky" (A sort of "Non sticky "Sticky" card!!) You would be able to throw two cards that have been treated with "Fricto" into the air, & they would stay together! BUT when you want to seperate them, they would come apart easily with NO "Crackle" sound, unlike most "Repositional Glue" or "Spray mount" products. Many card effects rely on two cards being "Stuck" but during the routine need to "Come apart" EASILY with no sound, "Fricto" will allow you to do that effortlessly!!

"Fricto" when applied forms an invisible "Skin" on the surface of the card, & would only adhere to another "Treated" card. "Fricto" is very long lasting (much more so than roughing fluid!) one small bottle will treat many more cards than a can of Roughing Fluid, & also costs LESS! "Fricto" is available EXCLUSIVELY from: Mike Danata's Magic Studio for £5.00 post free!



Cost

£5 from http://www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk/

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

Not really applicable other then it is easy enough to appply and you do only need a small amount.

Review

It's probably no secret that I've posted in the past about my dislike for card tricks that rely on sticky cards so when I first saw this I was intrigued. When visiting the studio today, Mike and myself got talking about card effects and how different this product was. I couldn't resist buying a small tube.

First, I treated a couple of jokers and found it an easy process. You do only need a thin brush stroke of fluid and I estimate that there is enough in the container to treat a few hundred cards for use under normal conditions.

I then dug deep into my magic box and pulled out a couple of card tricks that rely on stickies and proceeded to remove the blobs of wax like glue. Once removed, I treated the cards and left 15 minutes and wow, what a difference. I'm very impressed although the best results occur, as probably expected when this is used on new cards but then again, packet trick cards get used in a different way to a deck and tend to last much much longer anyway.

Although comparrisons are made between Fricto and roughening spray, they are two really different products. I would expect to use a roughening spray when making up a new ID for instance, but for holding cards together then this is miles better than wax or glue.

If you're also trying to develop tricks then this may just be up your street and it's fairly inexpensive for what you get. If you want to retreat your packet tricks and do away with the seperation noise and ensure that you get a good hold then go for this.

Overall

Like Ronseal, it does what it says on the tin (well, at least in the instructions as it comes in a small plastic container)

I set up a whole "eye popper / pop-eye" ( ) deck with this and I have mixed feelings.

It seems to posess the grip of roughing fluid at its best...almost too good if applied evenly as I did (with an airbrush). It holds so well it can be difficult to do the "ol' ID move". It does however allow you to even spin a gaffed pair of cards into the air! They stick together and still can be gently slid apart with little effort...should the mood take you! LOL! It also allows you to overhand shuffle roughed cards...even whole decks...with no fear of the cards separating. It does take a knack to smoothly slide pairs apart though.

It doesn't really adhere like repositionable glue though...not with a true adhesion. Like you said, "It does what it says on the tin"...FRICTION! Weird stuff...I like it but I'm not quite sure for what yet. If I were to consider replacing the various glues, waxes, and roughing fluids on gaffed cards with it, I would try different amounts and placements of various blobs and daubings on test cards first...just to see how these specific variables behave for the particular trick.

Cool stuff but it does need playing with.

I think that this is good advice and I'd say that you have to play around with it to find what suits your own 'touch'

I hadn't thought of the cards sticking together during an overhand shuffle and the instructions suggest applying it very sparingly with a small piece of kitchen towel. I'm just wondering if an airbrush is a little too much.

Roll on the weekend when I can play some more

I think the airbrush was too much...although the cards don't lift on any edges under any circumstances...a real pet hate of mine!!! I was SUPER light with it... but yeah...a bit to comprehensive a coverage! LOL!

Maybe just the corners would work...hmmmmmm

This would be very useful for the card effect that DB did on JR and his wife

Tried with an ID deck and although it worked, I don't think it was quite right

(sorry to be vague)

The corners are also a pet hate of mine (LOL) and one of the main reasons why I've not taken to liking sticky card effects

I find this makes decks much more manageable than roughing spray.
After a few experiments (& a tip on this site) I have applied it in a broad strip across the middle of the cards. To keep the cards together, I handle them with my thumbs in the middle zone. Usually they separate ok when required; but if not, I adjust my grip to the top of the card where there is no friction.

One thing I have noticed - the stuff does seem to remain slightly tacky even when dry; but it's not very obvious unless you are looking for it.

hey guys!

New to the forum so hello all!

Just a quick query regarding Fricto Fluid. How have you guys found the best way to COUNTER, essentailly remove the effects of the fluid once applied to some cards?

The little leaflet explains to rub hard with your fingers but this doesn't seem to quite work for me. I mean some is removed but essentially the cards still stick together.

I was just wondering if anyone has found any other ways or know of other things to try?

I think the stuff is awesome! I have both roughing Spray and fricto but i normally head for the fricto because you can apply it to certain areas of the card as opposed to the RF "general spray area", but I have to admit im having real problems seperating the cards...keeping them together, not a problem, seperating them not quite so easy. I know you have to apply small amounts and i do apply it sparingly but with no "application" instructions its hard to know if theres a "way" i should be applying it if i want easily speratable cards, a.k.a ID.

Anyway two queries though but my main one is hows the best way to remove the fricto.

just a quick question.

if i were to "sven-glai rough" every card - as in, two "fricted" together, then another two, then another two, e.t.c

would it be feasible to allow a spectator to overhand shuffle them?

and is it good enough to be riffled without disturbing it?

Cheers!

i like the sound of this as i dont own roughing spray, and i used a little thin layer of hair wax on the back of each card!!! which means very rarely it requires a little more force when doing an I.D and isnt natural so i may look into this... thanks for the review...

joecarr14

THERE IS A HOME METHOD SIMILAR TO THIS IT IS CALLED MUFFLIES EAR PLUGS AVAILABLE AT"SHOES"THE CHEMIST AND ONLY COSTS ABOUT £1 AND THEY'LL LAST FOR MONTHS.P.S. ONLY SCRUB ON A VERY SMALL AMOUNT.

Thanks. (but no need to shout)

Hmm ... got me thinking now

I haven't practiced my Elmsley count in aaaages and .... well .... I tried toady and it's shocking to say the least.
There's a trick I used to perform that requires the Elmsley count - I can't remember the name of it, but it's the one where you show 2 piles of four "face down" cards and one card from each pile swap places and end up face up, etc.

Would this Fricto Fluid assist in my Elmsley count (purely as a temporary measure of course - until I get it up to scratch again ) if I apply it to the face of the face up card and the face of the face down card immediately on top of it

I always practice the EC when I have a few moments and I carry four Jokers in my wallet for such occasions. Three have one colour back and one has an indifferent colour.

Any old cards will do and it's a good way of squeezing a little more use out of an old deck before chucking it away.

! "Fricto" is available EXCLUSIVELY from: Mike Danata's Magic Studio for £5.00 post free!



Cost

£5 from http://www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk/

Up to six quid now!