Please Note: The following effect is a commercial product. It is available complete with props and patter directly from Aldo Colombini.
This trick is my version of a trick which was sold many years ago. It's a good table hopping item, always ready and re-sets in seconds. It can also be presented in parlor or on stage.
EFFECT: Two different lengths of rope becomne the same length and then become one piece of rope!
REQUIREMENTS: Three pieces of rope, one piece two feet long and two pieces one foot long each. All the ends of the ropes are knotted.
SET-UP: Begin the routine by having a short and a long rope in the left hand held as one length of rope, keeping the know of each rope concealed. The other short rope is in the right hand. (see figure 1)
PERFORMANCE: Show the ropes as in figure 1. (To the audience you are showing a long and a short rope.) Then place the right hand rope into the left hand gripping it by the upper knot directly below the knot on the short rope already held by the left hand (figure 2).
You are now holding all the ropes with the left hand only. After a moment the right hand grasps the long rope in the middle (figure 3) and moves it away from the left hand. The two short ropes are kept in the left hand and appear to be as one piece of rope. The right hand shows the long piece (figure 4) appearing as if you have two ropes of the same length.
Grip the ropes between the hands as in figure 5. Note that the two hands are around the long rope and each hand grips a knot of one of the two short ropes. Pull the hands apart quickly until you are stopped by the knots on the ropes and you have the change into one long piece of rope (figure 6).
Say you'll try to tie a knot in the rope without letting go of the ends (which appears impossible). Have a spectator grip the two ends of the rope hanging from your fists. For the gag and a laugh, release the two short ropes so they remain in the spectator's hands and openly tie a knot in the long rope! Or bring your hands together and simply tie a knot in the long rope under cover of your fingers (knots concealed). This looks really magical!
