Spectators are naturally curious and performers are naturally defensive.

We perform an effect, and the better we do it, the more likely we'll hear, "Let me see that"- and the spectator grabs the prop from our hands. Nervously we watch as he pulls, pushes, prods and otherwise manhandles the trick. Nobody in this situation, including the spectator, really wants the secret to be revealed.

And that is Reason #1. There is no compelling reason to let anyone handle your props. You will get no reward when the spectator doesn't figure it out, and you run the strong risk that he will, ruining the moment of wonder you so carefully created.

Besides, the minute the spectator has your prop in his hands, you have lost control of your performance. You now have to wait for him to finish playing with your prop. You are no longer the center of attention, which, hopefully, is why you were performing the effect to begin with! If you were planning to move to another effect, your timing is thrown off, and you are stalled. You are forced to build momentum again, rather than enjoy the momentum from a successful (and baffling) trick.

Remember also, the prop is valuable, and can be easily damaged if handled carelessly. Countless, and we mean countless, props have been brought into our store by sadder but wiser magicians, props that have been snapped apart by overly curious spectators who have no idea of the delicate workings of our props, or of the price of them. Don't let this happen to you!

Magic effects are meant to be mysteries, not puzzles. Your job is to entertain your audience, not challenge its intelligence. Not encourage them to "figure it out". Teach your audiences to enjoy the whole performance, not just the working of the prop. A magic-loving audience will appreciate your attention to mystery and entertainment. A puzzle-solving audience won't be pleased with magic as a mystery anyway; don't let yourself fall into the trap. You can't win.

And finally, they are tricks! Let's be perfectly frank here. Your props are mechanical pieces of equipment, not hoodoo. Of course there is a secret, a gimmick! Anyone examining any prop long enough will figure out "how it's done". And so what? The props are not the magic- you are. Letting people examine your props as a way of judging how well you fooled them is silly. Don't be insecure- let your talents stand on their own.

So the next time someone asks, "Let me see that!", remember he is only saying it because you have fooled him. Show him- another trick!