Michael Skinner’s Spider Grip Vanish by Michael Skinner

Effect

The Michael Skinner’s Spider Grip Vanish is a deceptive coin vanish that makes a coin disappear cleanly from the fingertips. The magician displays a coin, casually holds it between their fingers, and with a subtle motion, the coin vanishes without any obvious sleight or suspicious movement. The vanish is smooth and leaves no trace, making it ideal for routines where a coin must disappear convincingly.

Full Details

This vanish is a handling of a classic technique attributed to Walter Gibson but refined by Michael Skinner. It involves a deceptive grip where the coin is secretly palmed as the fingers appear to still hold it. The vanish is performed under natural misdirection, often combined with a verbal or physical cue (like a whistle or tap) to enhance the illusion.

Key features:

• The vanish is angle-friendly, making it suitable for close-up performances.
• It can be integrated into routines where multiple vanishes or transformations are needed.
• The technique relies on timing and natural hand motions rather than complex sleight of hand.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This vanish is ideal for:

• Intermediate to advanced magicians who want a reliable, deceptive coin vanish.
• Performers who use coin routines and need a clean way to dispose of a coin.
• Magicians who appreciate subtlety and misdirection over flashy moves.

Difficulty

The Spider Grip Vanish is not overly difficult but requires practice to make it look effortless. Key challenges include:

• Timing – The vanish must happen at the right moment, often under misdirection.
• Natural handling – The grip and motion should appear casual, not forced.
• Angle management – While angle-friendly, slight adjustments may be needed depending on the audience’s position.

John Carey mentions that this vanish is part of his "Triple Spellbound Coins to Purse" routine, where it helps create a seamless transition between phases.

What Magicians Say

John Carey highlights the vanish as a "beautiful thing" when performed with the right timing. He emphasizes that misdirection plays a crucial role in making the vanish deceptive, stating:

"Even just a simple Finger Palm vanish can be a beautiful thing with the right timing."

He also notes that the vanish works best when combined with audience engagement, such as looking at the spectators while executing the move.

The Spider Grip Vanish is praised for its practicality in routines where a coin must disappear without drawing suspicion. It’s a useful tool for magicians who want a clean, reliable vanish that doesn’t rely on complex mechanics.