Silk Penetration
By Mohammed Bey (S. Leo Horowitz)

Here is a silk penetration effect that involves neither fakes nor prepared silks. It is an adaptation of the pencil or cigar through silk effect. (Seymour Davis: "Phantom Hanky," Feb. 1939, p. 317.) In the following version, the effect has more visual appeal as it is, of course, more colorful. A dark silk is spread over the left fist and a depression is made in the center of the silk. A second silk of a light, contrasting color is pushed into the depression of the first silk. A corner of the light silk suddenly appears from the underside of the dark silk. The right hand reaches under and pulls this end down a bit, then it reaches back and pulls the top end. After pulling the light silk back and forth a few times it is eventually pulled clear of the dark silk. Both silks may be examined; they are free from damage.

Method: This is identical with the earlier idea. The first silk is spread over the left fist. The right forefinger starts the depression and begins a twisting motion. In this motion the back of the hand would first be facing the ceiling, then the palm would be up, Figure 1. During the action the second finger comes alongside of the index finger, the index finger slips out and bends back, and the second finger continues the twisting motion. Figure 2. However, when the second finger is withdrawn a moment later a channel has been made through which the light silk can pass on the outside of the dark silk. The light silk is pushed in and pulled through as described.