Illusion Library

Effect

The Penetrating Pocket Knife

Harlan Tarbell · The Tarbell Course, 1926

Time
13 min read + 10 min practice
Materials
In the library
Prerequisites
1 sleight, in the library

Take care. Working with these objects and effects is inherently dangerous; anyone who attempts them does so at their own risk. Anybody under 18 is advised to undertake them only with a parent's permission and supervision.

This experiment appears to be entirely impromptu. It is puzzling and entertaining.

Performer borrows a pocket handkerchief and has two spectators hold it stretched out between them by all four corners. He takes a pocket knife and places it under the handkerchief at about the center. Covering top of handkerchief with a piece of paper, he pushes the knife right up through handkerchief and paper and pulls it out of the top. Handkerchief is then shown unharmed and knife and paper are given to spectators for examination.

How it is done

The method, 23 drawings and all it needs, inside the library.

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