blockhead stuff

[Orange]

my friend and i are learning the old nail in the fact trick. thing is, he can get 4 inches in, and i can't even get 3 before it feels like i'm hitting the back wall of my sinus cavity. am i actually hitting the back wall, or could i go farther? i'm just wonder why he can get a nail so much farther in. is it some physical difference in our sinus cavities, or could i do it too?

[Chance]

Hey Orange,

If it hurts, stop. If it bleeds, you stopped too late.

As you gently insert the nail (which I am sure by this point you have dulled with sand paper, right?) do NOT, either by intention or mistake, let it point upwards.

The idea is to make it look like it is going more 'up' than 'back', but in real life it is indeed simply going into the back of the throat via the sinus cavity.

If you are already attempting the stunt exactly as I have described, then you are a mutant, or possibly a 4 year old kid having fun here on the boards.

For future reference, when ever you might want to try this stunt again, or any other stunt where you put an object into your body (regardless of location or intention) which is by nature harder than your own skin -- make damn sure it is CLEAN and DULL. Flavored and ribbed is another discussion altogether, but I hope you catch my drift. A sinus or throat infection brought on this way is too close to the brain to play games.

[Sean Miller]

Orange,

I gotta agree with Chance on this one. If you don't know what you're doing -- STOP NOW! In my view, of all the side show skills, this one is the most deadly. If you muck this one up, you're dead, no questions asked, no second chance.

If you absolutely must learn how to do it, find an old sideshow performer and beg and plead with them until they relent and teach you. Even then, you're playing with your life when you do this one on the street.

[Doctor Eric]

No sweat Orange.... It ain't as bad as Sean says if you are not a moron... of course, if you ARE then you can always get chalked up for the Social Darwinism Award for Self Sacrifice for the Good of the People... The idea is up and in. And listen to both Chance AND Sean... then do a search on Melvin Burkhart, and read everything... that is, if you dont poke your brain out <img src="graemlins/haha.gif" border="0" alt="[ha ha]" />
Oh yeah, what is it that Zamora says?... "Go Ahead, Try it at Home!"

[ 04-19-2002: Message edited by: Doctor Eric ]</p>

[fracksfreakshow]

let frack give some wise frack advice. never try this trick when have a runny nose, or the flu or anything where your nose isn't normal. did this once with a runny nose and hammered the nail in and couldn't feel it going in nose cause of flu. well thought it was going in straight but didn't. realized it when pulled nail out covered in blood. so just some advice. the crowd might enjoy seeing the blood but frack didn't. yep yep frack attack

[Magic Brian]

Although you've already tried blockheading with a nail, it's a good idea to first start with a q-tip. Wet the cotton and stick it on in -but make sure you hold on to the other end otherwise it'll get stuck up there. Once you feel comfortable with that you can start using different size nails until you find the one that best fits your nose. Not everyone can do the same size, it all depends on the size of yer head. I saw one of Bobby Renolds guys use a table knife. Yikes!

[Todd]

A couple of things I have found with this trick.
First off I have to totally disagree with Sean. You cant muck this one up. Either you slide it into your sinus or you dont. There are no two ways about it. If you slide it in and you hit something hard and you cant push it further and you begin to hammer and you really hurt something, then it is God's way of weeding out the stupid. Sorry to sound so harsh, but it is true. When you do this dont really hammer it in. The hammer is a small guide of force, but you should have one hand holding the nail just under the head, that is slowly guiding the nail in untill a majortity of the nail makes it into your sinus, then you can let go and "hammer" it the rest of the way back. The hammering motion is simply a push with the hammer head that pulls or pops back fast to make it look like you are "hammering" and makes a great noise.

I have a small sinus cavity in terms of diameter, so I make my own nails out of stainless steel rod.

This trick can also work with the arm of glasses. You can slide the arm of eye or sunglasses down the sinus and then the bendy part, will drop down and hang slightly in the back of you mouth by your uvula.
Clean them (glasses, nails) first or you will taste all kinds of yuck as well as make yourself avaliable to all kinds of infections.

[Sean Miller]

I don't disagree with what you're saying, Todd. I have never heard of anyone getting seriously hurt from doing this, but I would rather put the fear of death into someone learning this for the first time, especially on their own, then have them think it's something that easy to do. If you have a healthy dose of respect for the skill and know what can go wrong in the first place, then you are more likely to take the time to learn it right to begin with.

I use this while working the streets and have had countless people come up and ask me to "Stick that up my nose again." If someone who's interested in learning this were to do so, the damage could be severe and they'd be up for a Darwin.

Presenting the Blockhead on stage and in the street are two different things. The effect's the same, the setting is what will get you into trouble. Even after make sure that I've set up and defined my space well, I've still been bumped from time to time while doing this. People, myself included, can be morons.

What you said about the hammer was right one and I find not fault, but I still think that it's possible to muck this one up especially if you are trying to learn it on your own.

[Todd]

With the greatest of respect Sean, my post was to counter the miss information of your first post on this subject.I find that statements such as "the most deadly of sideshow skills" and "if you muck this up you are dead" is simply wrong.
Round peg, round hole. No contact with brain matter at all.
Besides fire-eating has far more risks involved than the block-head. Slow poisoning of the liver, risks of wind blowback, the fuel being out for anybody to kick over, etc make the block-head as big a 'whistle-blower act as the bed of nails. (How does it work? Lay on it and physiscs takes over)
While your observations in your last post about the dangers of people running into you in a street situation are correct, your original post did not adress these matters at all. Besides the risks posed by an audience member walking into your space are great for any performer, juggler, unicyclest, block-head, etc.
But applause to you for your wanting to keep him safe and looking out for anothers well being.

Onward
Todd

[segueman]

First, when performed correctly the blockhead is not dangerous in itself but does put you in a vulnerable position with a nail pointed at your brain. Second, can we please get our anatomy straight? The nail enters the nasal duct which connects to the top of the throat. Sinus cavities are small enclosed air pockets in the skull with pinhole membrane opennings and are never envolved in this stunt. It's this kind of misinformation that make the blockhead impressive to the average person. Yes it's possible to have only three inches of useable nasal duct. You can try the other side which will be slightly different but not necessarily longer, but my suggestion is don't perform it next to your friend and nobody will know.

[j55]

hi, i was searching blockheading on google and your forum was what I was looking for, I am am member on various sites but this disscusion seems right,

anyway...

...i have been interested in blockheading for a while, and I have not yet tried, as I would like some advice where to start, and if anyone has any diagrams or videos that they think would be a help then please let me know,
I will be very gratefull for any advice you could donate,

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

I'm working with this guy this month, and he's a good egg. You might want to email him your questions.

Peace, ks

http://www.albertcadabra.com/

[j55]

also what is a q tip/

[Hunter]

may be a little late but a q-tip is a cotton swab on a cardboard stick.

http://thecouchsessions.com/articles/Q-Tip.jpg

[Stretch]

http://www.stiltwalker.com/free-earcleaning.jpg

[AmberLynn]

You need to take a look @ some anatomy books and some medical diagrams .
The drainage passage that you will be entering is right above you hard and soft pallets and is not perfectly straight. If you are getting to the back of the passage and are hitting something that is most likely your Adenoids (you don't wont to be hitting them!)
When you are starting to learn this stunt you will go through some sneezing fits until you dull your senses.

[jesus]

Don't believe the hype!
Dangerous-Yes
Worthy of Death talk? Maybe.
But do you have any common sense?
Yes, you say?
Then you'll be fine.
This blockhead thing just ain't that big a deal.
Keep things clean, go slow, stop when it hurts, don't start with a nail and never NEVER actually use the full force of a hammer to drive in the nail.

Edmonton in '96 over the course of one pint of beer I taught Justin Case how to do Blockhead with a nail. After seeing how easy it was to learn he cussed me out (with tongue in cheek) about what a scam it was. "Fifteen minutes to learn and people flock to your show! It took me 12 years to learn to ride that F***ING bike!"

[jayrodin]

I am curious. I've done the blockhead for a little bit now but I've never known anyone else who's done it. I am scared to be putting anything all the way in. I mean, I can get nails pretty damn far back there and I started with a q tip but I'm afraid to get to the back with either and always stop before I get there because I'm not sure if I will feel it. Do you feel it when you get to the back? What does it feel like? Approx how far can most people go back? Thanx.

[jayrodin]

I was also wondering what most of you use to clean your nails? I use good ol fashion soap and water. Is there something that might be better than this?

[Hunter]

I use a low concentration liquid anti-microbial / anti-germicidal soap such as Provon or Satin, and then water. The local tattoo/piercing shop usually has some in stock. I've been told to avoid anything dyed or scented.

I also scrub them down pretty thoroughly when I first get them to get off any rust or other buildups they may have clinging on, and I use a dremmel tool to round off the tip a bit. It actually looks sharper from a few feet away when I'm done.

[Stephon]

Flush your nose with saline solution before and after performing the blockhead.

And yes, you will feel it when you've gone back as far as you can.

[jesus]

"Flush your nose with saline solution before and after performing the blockhead."

Damn I know I had been forgetting something for the past twenty years.
Now that is something I have never heard.
But cleanliness is next to oddliness.

[Stephon]

Helps moisturize the nasal passages, easing insertion, and helps flush out stuff that may have been on the item inserted, after.

[jesus]

Well being a huge water drinker and wet nose type of healthy dog type of person my nose is always plenty moist.
Although when I do the Arizona Renaissance Festival by the fifth show of the day sometimes I do start to dry out and I will take a squirt of saline on occasion.

[jayrodin]

Okay. Dig it:

http://jayrodin.com/youbetterbenicetochuck

My friend fell in love with this girl and I sent her this.

I could use a much longer nail but the diamater of longer nails I've found just won't fly. Does anyone else have this problem? What should I do?

[jesus]

Over time the opening stretches and becomes looser.
Somethings don't happen over night.

[gav]

after reading this thread i decided all the cautions of danger were probably just there to put the average Joe off trying this trick at home.
I decided to try it and found that I could insert the entire length of a moist Q tip (cotton bud) into the cavity. I then decided to try something bigger so I grabbed the nearest metal bbq skewer and managed to get it in 8cm. I distinctly felt it touch what felt like the top back of my throat so I stopped at that point.

All in all it seemed quite easy and safe for anyone with less than half a brain such as myself.

[Stephon]

It is fairly easy, and certainly less dangerous than, say, sword swallowing, but please remember that you still can get hurt.

Be careful.

[Rachel Peters]

If you try hard enough, you COULD get hurt while having most any sort of foreign object jammed into any one facial orpheus.
For example: I once stuck a pen in my ear, just for a place to put it, freeing my hands for work and looking amusing doing it. ...I left it there, went about my business and then bumped the side of my head into something... I think it was a wall. The pain was a little bit blinding and I can't remember the details surrounding that moment very clearly anymore.

Nobody feels sympathy for someone who stuck a pen in their ear.

So, in regards to spending an entire DAY with things sticking out of your skull, in any direction, I suggest that you don't.

Just my suggestion.

Back to posting junk,
Ratchet Peters

[gav]

generaly speaking I am very rairly careful, perhaps only when using power tools and even then I get complacent.
after 17 years of doing stupid stuff to make a living I have discovered that I injure myself more during common every day activities than I ever do with performance(or showing off) type activities. just tonight i burnt the roof of my mouth tasting my wifes pasta sauce far worse than I ever have with fire eating. i cut my hand more often doing carpentry and cooking than I ever have with juggling knives( only twice beasue the ones I made were too pointy and I was doing mills mess with double spins). I've fallen over walking down the street way more times than I have when doing a handstand 3 meters above the ground(never).

Thankfully most people don't realise that every day life is far more dangerous than most of the tricks and stunts folks like us do for a living.

[Rachel Peters]

Are there any women on the forum who practice this?
I have some questions, geared specifically to women's nasal passages.

[AmberLynn]

I do it ... Alot!! Ask Away

[Rachel Peters]

great! I'll send you a pm.

[Rachel Peters]

I've learned that I have an unusually narrow nasal passage.
I have, for a while, been able to slowly ease things back into my nose (straight items -- about four inches), but was never able to do the "hammer" part, because I'd actually be knocking stuff around in there. It was just too tight.
Anything larger than the head of a q-tip left me feeling like I had just been kicked in the teeth. The regular four inch nail width just wouldn't go in.
It could be due to a tooth I have growing horizontally, up in my face, below my nose, only visible by x-ray. That's my theory, anyway. Could be the tooth. Either that or I'm just "dainty" or some junk.
I didn't like the idea of "easing" a nail into my nose, so I started trying to figure out other items that were both narrow and somewhat impressive looking.

Thank you, Mr. Thom Sellectomy, for your website photos.

I realized the answer was right in front of my face. My wire frame glasses are PERFECT.

For want of being able to actually perform real shows (refer back to my "Huge Verbal Vomit" post, otherwise known as my "emotional enema") I performed it for my coworkers during lunch. mmmm.

After asking my producer if she "wanted to see something I could do" and bringing my glasses to my nose... she responded with a resounding, "NOOOOOO! OH GAWD!! NO!! NO! NO!!! NO! NO! NO! NO!" and ran out of the room. Then, a few hours later, she gathered the rest of the department around to see it again. :)

(One painful lesson: When your glasses are through your nose and down your throat... don't swallow. And if you do... don't react by yanking it out.)

Apologies if my post is difficult to read. I'm overworked and underslept tonight.

(I am going to cheat this "can't perform until I start the doc thing" for one studio christmas party. I have to. ...I can't not do it. The fire's coming out for Christmas.)

-rp

[jesus]

When offered correctly as a "wana see me do something weird", the eye glasses will almost always get you a free pint in a pub or bar.
But its all about the set up.

(I personally think that glasses are the easiest thing to learn with. But remember it is sooooooooooo dangerous. So don't any of you meddling kids try it.)

[Stephon]

Originally posted by jesus
But remember it is sooooooooooo dangerous. So don't any of you meddling kids try it. Are you mocking me?

(Y'know, somehow I like the idea of being mocked by jesus--it seems only equitable)

John Shaw performed a fairly standard blockhead routine--by "standard" I mean he didn't use anything exotic for the bit--and somehow managed to bleed steadily for almost 10 minutes after.

So, it's at least a little dangerous.

[jesus]

Me mock? Never

I realize that it can be dangerous.
Originally posted by jesus

Dangerous-Yes
Worthy of Death talk? Maybe.
But do you have any common sense?
Yes, you say?
Then you'll be fine.

I'm sorry I didn't really mean to reopen this discussion.

[gsidhe]

I like to find out what sorts of other things people are shoving up their noses nowadays.
Me- Nail, Screwdriver, Drink Umbrellas and bracelet glowsticks (Love those...they go in nice and easy. Stick it in, then snap it so it lights up while in your nose. Convinces them that it is definately not gaffed.)
The thing I found I shouldn't stick up my nose-
Drink stirring straws, like in a bar. the sharp edge of the scraw scraped my nose something terrible.

My holy grail of blockhead- I need to find a good, thin fiber optic light so I can curve it around into my mouth (Like the mental floss with a balloon). Just haven't come across one that is quite right.
Anyone else with unusual blockhead items (Or who are doing the fiber optic up the nose)
Gwyd