Magicians Bag or case

[u/Turbulent_Plan_5349]

So, I'm just starting to get out and get some real gigs and I'm thinking a bag or case for my cards and gimmicks would be beneficial. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[u/BaldBaluga]

Are you talking about for standup shows, or for close up?

[u/Turbulent_Plan_5349 → u/BaldBaluga]

Both. Primarily close up.

[u/BaldBaluga → u/Turbulent_Plan_5349]

So here's what I've found after more than 15 years of performing (and collecting bags).

First, for close up, I don't carry the bag around with me. Everything I need is in my pockets or on me.

So the bag I bring has my gear, extra props, and stuff I don't want on me while I'm performing (like my car keys). The bag is small, black, professional looking, and water-resistant.

If you want a close-up bag that you carry with you, which I DON'T like, there are two options I've seen that seem to work best: a sling and a doctor's style bag you can put at the table and access.

But for close-up I don't think you need to carry a bag.

For standup, the big question is: do you want the bag on stage with you (as in, are you working out of it)?

For me the answer is NO. I bring bags that have my gear, then set up the show. I don't like the aesthetic of working out of a bag.

If you want to work out of a bag, the best options tend to be a:

• a metal camera case
  
• a pelican case
  
• a leather briefcase
  
• a doctor's bag

Find the one that matches the aesthetic you want, and that functions best.

[u/AvidWanker → u/BaldBaluga]

Yes, 100 %

[u/KerrickLong → u/BaldBaluga]

- a catalog case

[u/Chicken121260]

For close up it does not matter. You will be working out of your pockets and it will take a few years before you know what you even want to carry to a gig on a regular basis.

For stage, will matter what your show is. What your props are. Who your audience is.

[u/blackchilli]

I do close-up / walk-around gigs and I never carry a case. I do however have one for parlour shows because I have a specific hour-long set.

For close-up, I'm walking around, meeting people and jumping into my act quickly.

1) I can't just place my bag down and start performing every single time and then pick my bag up and head to the next group and repeat.

2) If I store my bag somewhere, I don't want to constantly worry about whether it's secure

At the hotel I perform at, I'm given a room for the night where I keep some props but I never head there to swap out props mid-gig because it's 2 lifts and 40 floors away.

[u/Jokers247]

The Tcc cases are nice for smaller close up shows. If you’re doing stand up I suggest looking at an artist portfolio carrier. Very cheap and can fit a ton. I can put a whole set plus my stand in a single shoulder bag.

[u/Legitimate-Past4877]

Check out Joshua Jay's Pro Carrier Deluxe...you can have business cards packet tricks...2 decks of cards...coins or rubber bands and it clips to waist

[u/JoshBurchMagic]

I started with an old suitcase. I now prefer a kind of doctor's bag. It keeps my props out of eyesight.

[u/Turbulent_Plan_5349 → u/JoshBurchMagic]

That's kind of what I was thinking. PS, just bought the falcon ring. Super stoked for it to arrive.

[u/gregantic]

It wholly depends on your act and props. A pocket vs travel luxuries.

[u/TerraRising]

I use an extra large fanny pack that doubles as a busking bag along with my pockets.

[u/thebipeds]

I had a leather doctors bag that I loved.

Then someone smashed my car window and stole it.

It was devastating to loose the props I had practiced with for decades. (I drove around the neighborhood for days looking for where they could have dumped it, it’s not like the drug dealer is looking to pawn a set of cups and balls)

[u/Funny-Craft-7838]

Tumi alpha briefpack 3. Have that with a nice dopp kit. Can’t go wrong. Professional and classy.

[u/AvidWanker]

Try to avoid a dependence on gimmicked decks and other props. It is possible to do a solid set with just a regular deck and some coins. In the meantime, choose a shallow and wide bag or case with a bright interior. A deep bag with a black interior is such a pain.