This won't really be a full-fledged review, unless I end up rambling on and making it into a full-fledged review, then it will be a full-fledged review  .  I got Frank Starsini's Jumbo Busker Pouch a few days and it is JUMBO! I know that Frank always says to pony up and buy the Gazzo pouch for Gazzo's routine, but this pouch really does seem big enough to do it perfectly with room to spare (Sorry Frank, in all fairness, Gazzo isn't able to make laced pouches in England, so why don't I use that as my excuse  )





Background/Overview

Anyone who has any product from Frank knows that it is quality and ingenuity to the max. This pouch is by far no exception. This pouch is extremely versatile for any busking/outdoor type environment. I have always been a fan of using bigger cups, so I always needed a pouch to load, there really isn't too many other ways to load. Frank's pouch seemed just right, versatile, ingenious, and BIG! The pouch comes in a big box, there is no rolling up of the pouch or anything to conserve space, so this pouch is perfect when you open it. Frank generously includes Simon Lovell Man of Danger vol.1-3, which, to be honest, I didn't even know existed. He also throws in another Simon Lovell video . The videos are great, but I would've been more than happy with just the pouch.


The layout

This pouch is GREAT, it isn't just a pouch for cups and balls, it is a pouch for a whole show! I also love that you can pull things out of this pouch for things besides cups and balls so you have a motivation to wear a pouch.
The layout for this pouch is perfect, there really isn't any space wasted, but it isn't crowded. There, besides the actual pouch, is a BIG pocket in the front with really nice leather. There are also side pockets made of the same nice leather. This sentence is going to sound very manly, the suede type interior is so soft on the outside pockets, it feels good when I reach into my pockets  . This is really a far-fetched way of looking at it, but the fact that the front pockets are soft could somehow subtly suggest that the whole pouch is that soft to a spectator, therefore it wouldn't be able to retain its shape if loads were placed in it. I don't know if that's true or not, maybe to some people. The actual leather on the pouch is stiff so it does retain its shape. Inside the pouch on the back wall you have a pocket that's perfect for a packet trick, or a deck, or some TT's or business card, whatever! There are also three coin pockets which can easily hold multiple coins. There is also a money pouch so you can safely secure your money after a busking event, or you could use it for other purposes if you're not busking. There are also pull-laces so you can pull the pouch shut to conceal the loads from sight and work out of the pockets, and then you can easily open them while the pouch it on to access the loads, etc. The layout for this pouch is perfect and I love hat it looks the same whether it is loaded or not. Frank also lines the inside with satin so that props cannot get discolored by the leather. The back is also satin lined to reduce thickness.


Quality


If you are familiar with Frank's items, then you know the quality will be top notch. This is no exception. The leather is fantastic; it's so smooth to the touch and it's soft where desirable, and stiff where needed. Frank certainly knows what buskers need and I think that any busker should consider this. The pouch is also available in custom two-toned leather in just about any way that you can imagine. It's a very nice feature even though solid black is good enough for me.


My views


I've pretty much already covered my views on this product. I think that anyone, busker or not, who uses larger cups should pick a pouch, and why not go for the best versatile pouch; go with Frank's Busker pouch!

Here's the link to my Jumbo pride and joy http://www.theambitiouscard.com/aitem.cfm?itemid=70

For those of you who can't handle a big boy's pouch ( ) Frank also makes a regular Busker pouch for people who are looking to do about four baseball sized loads (give or take) and a coconut hat load (give or take). The differences between the pouches is that the Jumbo pouch is 1" (I believe) bigger in all dimensions (width, height, and depth) and that makes a considerable difference in the load size. Here's the link to the Busker pouch (follow the link if you are interested in the product or if you want to see more pictures of what the pouch looks like on the slide show.) http://www.theambitiouscard.com/aitem.cfm?itemid=61

If you do order a pouch, which I HIGHLY recommend, tell him that might sent you, he should know who I am because I constantly bombard him with questions about products. 


I might post some pictures, but his site pretty much covers all that you need. This was my first product from The Ambitious Card, but you can bet your life that it'll not be my last! Thanks a lot Frank!




                 Mike



I have a picture that Frank e-mailed to me that shows the size comparison between the two pouches but I can't load it here because it's in JPG format and doesn't have a transferable URL. Maybe Frank could post it here if he gets a chance.

Mike,

If you would… please tell more about using a pouch. I have seen street performers use them, but never felt comfortable asking them any questions.

I always perform around a table sitting.

Thanks,
Bruce

Thanks for asking Bruce, I never would've thought to address that. Basically a pouch has a more impromptu feel for me: you don't need to set up hold-outs or chair servantes or anything. You can do the cups and balls surrounded, standing, and with ANY TABLE! It's hard to explain, but for loading it's basically like loading from the pockets in a sense; you are usually prepping the ball in the action of putting a ball away. Prepping a ball is basically bringing up near the top of the pouch so you can cover it with the cup when the cup comes into the pouch for a split second, and steal out the load holding it with your pinky. I'll try to post a video sometime so you can see what I'm talking about, but in the mean time, watch this Gazzo video.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4618101385536580102	powered by Aeva

His routine starts in the second half, but I like watching the whole thing I love the old squeaker gag that he uses.

I hope this explained a little bit more about the pouch; shoot I forgot to talk about the hat load. Actually, I have never tried a hat load from a pouch yet, go figure, but you basically do the same thing with the prepping; you pull it up, and if you watch Gazzo, he turns to the side to get the coverage and leverage that he needs to get the mellon out (you really have to hike it up and then out.) Not all of the cup loads are done after you place a ball away, but the misdirection of the cups and balls covers the minute action that you're doing.


         
              Bruce, if this still wasn't clear, please feel free to ask and I'll try to elaborate the best I can.

                      Mike

Mike,

Thanks for answering my post… very interesting. As I said I don’t know anyone in person that uses a pouch. Definably something to look into down the road.

Have a safe and Happy  New Year,
Bruce
 

You only really need a pouch if you're using large loads. I have a regular Buskers pouch from The Ambitious card for when I load 4 oranges and a melon. I would never use the pouch if I was just using small fruit loads without that big jumbo final load.