How to do the broken and restored toothpick

Before you start, slide a second toothpick into the hem of a handkerchief. Wrap the visible toothpick in the cloth, then hand the spectator the hidden one to feel through the fabric. They snap it themselves, hear the crack and feel the broken pieces. When you shake the handkerchief open, the original toothpick drops out in one piece.

What does the audience see?

You show an ordinary toothpick and lay it in the centre of a handkerchief. You fold the corners over it and invite someone to feel the toothpick through the cloth and break it. They snap it once, maybe twice, and feel the pieces grind together. You say a magic word, open the handkerchief, and the toothpick is whole again. It is a small trick, but the spectator does the breaking, so the surprise lands with them.

What do you need?

• A handkerchief with a hem. A cloth napkin with a seam works too. It should be opaque, so the hidden toothpick cannot be seen.
• Two identical toothpicks. Plain wooden ones that snap cleanly are best.

How do you set it up?

Push one toothpick into the hem of the handkerchief, along one edge, and make sure it stays put. Remember which corner it is near: that is the one you will need to find by feel. Fold the handkerchief and keep it in a pocket with the second toothpick, ready to go.

How do you do it, step by step?

1. Show the toothpick. Hand it out if you like. It is completely ordinary.
2. Lay out the handkerchief. Spread it flat on the table or across your hand and place the toothpick in the centre.
3. Fold it in. Bring the four corners into the middle one at a time, so the toothpick is wrapped in a little bundle. The edge with the hidden toothpick ends up folded in near the centre with everything else.
4. Find the hidden toothpick. Feel through the folds for the toothpick in the hem and hold it up through the cloth. To the audience, this is simply the toothpick you just wrapped.
5. Let them break it. Ask the spectator to take hold of it through the cloth and snap it in half. The sound and the feel of two pieces are very convincing. If they want to, let them break it again.
6. Keep it closed. Give clear instructions so nobody opens the handkerchief early, and keep your hands relaxed.
7. Restore it. Say a magic word, open the handkerchief and let the original toothpick fall onto the table, whole. The broken pieces stay hidden in the hem.

Why does it work?

The spectator really does break a toothpick, so everything they hear and feel is genuine. They just break the wrong one. Because the hidden toothpick is wrapped in the same cloth as the visible one, nobody can tell which they are holding. The handkerchief itself is the gimmick, which is why you should keep it moving and put it away once the trick is done.

How can you present it better?

• Let them do the work. The more the spectator handles the breaking, the stronger the ending. Never break it yourself.
• Switch the handkerchief. If people are curious, pocket the gimmicked handkerchief while they look at the toothpick, and bring out an ordinary one if anyone asks to see it.
• Load extras. Several toothpicks along the hem let you repeat the trick for a new group, each time using a different one.
• Practise the find. Fold and unfold until you can locate the hidden toothpick by touch without looking down.

What helps you take it further?

• Modern Magic by Professor Hoffmann, free from our public-domain library. It includes a chapter of tricks with handkerchiefs, among cards, coins, rings and more.
• Tom Mullica Expert Impromptu Magic Volume 1, a download of impromptu effects whose list includes a broken and restored match, ring, rope and pin, and silk through arm.
• Devils Hank by TCC, a gimmick handkerchief designed to make objects such as rings, bills and watches vanish or appear.

Next, try the coin through a handkerchief and the cut and restored rope, read up on misdirection, and browse our silks and everyday object magic.

Frequently asked questions