“Do Magicians Really Have Fast Hands? A Magician’s Perspective”
“The Fastest Hands in the World.”
Honestly, few claim it. Many magicians frame it in a question…”Are these the fastest hands in the world?”
There is actually a terminology for this. Are you ready? “JAQing Off.” This is an often used technique by politicians, but it can work for magicians as well. It’s actually a clever way to put a thought in someone’s head. As time passes, the mind may forget the question and believe the words as a statement of truth..
As a magician, no actual harm is done. If we don’t hype ourselves, we have to pay someone else to do it for us.
Why Magicians “Hype” Their Sleight of Hand Talents:
We need to promote our “talent” to attract attention, which hopefully produces bookings. By making bold/false claims about having the fastest hands, we generate an intrigue among potential clients. These statements act as promotional tools, enticing people to witness our performances and experience the seemingly impossible first hand.
Magicians often use trickery to create illusions of skill. The formula is simple. The Magician makes a preposterous claim and then fulfills the claim.
This Magicians’ Ludicrous Claim is Actually True:
I recall an exception. When Kostya Kimlat appeared on Penn and Teller Fool Us for the second time, he made a bold claim and then proceeded to demonstrate his claimed skill successfully.
Moreover, you can see him in the above link explain the trick in his own words. Surprisingly, it is hardly a trick. What he does requires great skill and pretty fast hands, although not faster than the eye.
Additionally, other magicians perform the same effect, although the method is different. It’s a trick! Confusing, isn’t it?
However, to really appreciate Kostya Kimlat, it is important to understand that it is not a “trick.”
Returning to The Fast Hands:
When I was a very young man back in the 20th century, there was a local magician who went on to great success.
One such magician was Steve Dacri:
Stephen “Steve” Robert Dacri (March 22, 1952 – February 11, 2011) was an American sleight-of-hand magician who worked nearly 30 years at his craft, earning him the moniker “The Fastest Hands in the World.”
Long before Steve, others have claimed the title of the “Fastest Hands in the World.” And I’m sure that, until the end of time, countless others will make the same claim.
Nevertheless, I’ll choose to remember Steve Dacri fondly as the man with “The Fastest Hands in the World.”
Joe Ferranti
