Thin model sawing (illusion)

The thin model sawing is one of the most common versions of the sawing in illusion performed by contemporary magicians.

The basic routine is as follows:


 * A shallow, horizontal box is displayed. It is often on a table or with legs that raise it to waist height. The ends of the box are initially open.
 * The top of the box is opened. The subject climbs up into the box and lies down, their head feet emerging from the spaces at either end. In some versions, their hands may also be visible beside their head, and similarly secured by stocks.
 * The top of the box is closed, and the subject is apparently secured in place by stocks placed over their neck and ankles, the stocks closing the open ends of the box.
 * Optionally, the middle of the box may be cut through with a saw. In all versions, dividers are then placed into the box on the line of the cut
 * The box is pulled apart, showing the sections are clearly separated, with the subject's head sticking out of one section, and their feet out of the other. In some version, panels in the side of the box are opened to show their arm and the side of their leg.
 * The box is then pushed together again, the dividers removed, and the top opened. The subject emerges unharmed.

The thin model is a development of Horace Goldin's Big Box sawing. Compared to Goldin's version, the shallow box adds to the impression that the assistant could not possibly find room to evade the saw blade even if they could release themselves from the stocks to try to curl up in one half of the box.