Levitating objects with invisible thread looks magical with or without patter. Even from across the room, people can watch the show!
In a reel or wrapped around your body in a loop, invisible thread provides hours of walk-around material that spectator’s will remember forever. And when you think about it, that makes sense. Floating something in the air is instantly recognizable as good magic!
Magicians are attracted to the “simplicity” of invisible thread. That’s why it’s such a popular entry-level trick in our industry and you can watch these effects demonstrated on the streets of Las Vegas every day.
Suspensions and levitations are, however, but a small part of PK magic. While synonymous with magnets, PK magic’s favorite method is invisible thread. PK effects use thread to manipulate cards, bugs, things in the room, even people!
Of course, once you’ve decided to add Invisible Thread to your act, how is one to decide what thread to use?
There are a variety of different threads on the market. In this article, we’ll discuss two of them. The most basic invisible thread, made from Nylon, and the first premium thread offered commercially, Kevlar.
These threads aren’t interchangeable for one another. There is overlap in suggested use, but you need both to perform the largest array of levitations and PK effects. Invisibility is about the same.
Nylon invisible thread shouldn’t be labeled as the weaker thread, despite tradition. Kevlar is more expensive, but that’s because of the manufacturing process. Both compounds, created by DuPont, have exclusive uses based on their individual construction.
While Kevlar thread ultimately suspends the most weight, it does not have the movement of regular IT because of its molecular structure. Each strand is a series of bonds, attracted to each other from top to bottom.
On the other hand, Nylon is stretchy. Full of movement! Stretching is important when you’re floating a dollar bill with the thread anchored to your body at one end and to the wall at the other end.
That same stretchiness, however, is less efficient than Kevlar in a thread reel. It makes the reel work harder and wears the thread faster. Kevlar doesn’t stretch at all, acting more like cable and less like rope.
Use Kevlar’s tensile strength to your advantage. You want its stability when suspending a large item on stage. It will break without warning, but it will take a lot of weight first (predictably).
Nylon thread is better for full-body loops or anchored setups, where slack is in the line under weight.
Both threads are equally important to PK magic, but you might find that one works better for you. Of course, you can try both with very little investment!
1. Kevlar Invisible Thread PLUS Wax Taqs!
2. Nylon Invisible Thread PLUS Wax Taqs!
Navigate the links above to explore and study both types of invisible thread for yourself. Each of these products includes a sample-size pack of Wax Taqs Invisible Thread Anchors. If you haven’t used them before, they make invisible thread easier to enjoy!
