Ever since I saw the Coin Wand in Hoffman’s Modern Magic (page 203 in my edition) I have always thought this was a cool utility device. Until this baby arrived I had never actually seen one up close.
The wand is nicely made and works very smoothly. It allows you to vanish and appear as many dollar sized coins as you fancy – without any difficult sleights or moves.
The choice of a Dollar coin as opposed to a Half Dollar is interesting: on the one hand the coins are clearly visible from quite a distance, but the downside is the wand has these unusual slightly flared ends to accomodate the size of the coin. I do most of my magic in close-up and parlour settings these days, so I would have preferred the smaller sized coins with less of a flare. However, if you are using this in the bigger venue then you probably won’t even notice the taper and you really benefit from the bigger coin. It is probably a small point, but worth mentioning.
Otherwise, this is another fine magic utility from Joe Porper.
Review by Andy Martin for Card Penetration Box by Joe Porper
2 out of 5
For Collector’s Only
This is probably the worst effect in the current Joe Porper Line. The effect holds great promise, the box is well made and looks nice.
The premise is you show the black box, with hole running through the middle and show a bolt that goes through the hole and then you add a full deck of cards and clearly demonstrate that the bolt cannot go through the deck. Then after the magic incantation you ask the spectator to push down on the bolt and it goes all the way in penetrating the deck. You can then pull out the bolt and hand everything out for examination.
However, it has some serious angle issues and takes some real talent to pull this off without exposing the method. I found the box just too difficult to seriously use. I also found it strange that although there is a hole running from top to bottom you cannot show the bolt coming out of the bottom after the so called penetration.
Anyway if you are collecting the Porper Line you’ll have to get this, otherwise I really think you will be dissappointed with it.
Review by George Guerra for Riser Shorty by Jim Riser
5 out of 5
"The ULTIMATE Metal Chop Cup"
Jim Riser has released one incredible chop cup. This is the Riser Shorty in copper and is a true testament to metal spinning art. This is a hefty goblet sized cup made of TWO layers of metal allowing the gimmick to be conveniently hidden between the walls, hence the weight. When I first opened the package and held the cup in my hand, I immediately knew this was special. After playing with it for a while, I could only admire the workmanship. Jim truly outdid himself.
One issue I always had with chop cups is over that certain force needed to dislodge the ball and the occasional embarrassment of the ball not dropping. I always thought that the rather forceful landing of the cup on the working surface was too suspicious and awkward. Well, Jim may have solved the problem. How would you like an almost "automatic" chop cup? With a slight twist of the wrist holding the cup the supplied hollow steel core crocheted ball can be dislodged without the cup hitting the table. Yet, the same ball can be dropped into the cup and poured out without any attraction to the cup, if desired, and always in control. Is this feature alone worth the title of the ultimate chop cup? Add the beautiful double walled spun cup in brilliant copper and there is no cup in existence to beat this one.
The Riser Shorty is designed for the close-up worker. The Riser Tall spun in aluminum is also being released for the stage worker. I own several Riser cups and this is definitely his best release. What a great contribution to magic from this talented master craftsman..thanks, Jim.
Review by Andy Martin for Zig Zag Art by Kreg Yingst
5 out of 5
Slightly Dark but Unique Art!
This set of prints from the talented artist Kreg Yingst are wonderful for the magic Den. He has 52 different designs and if you are looking to create a new Rainbow deck then contact Kreg as he would love to work with someone in the industry who could spearhead their publication.
He has some other amazing paintings and magic related artwork on his website. Be sure to check them out!
Review by Andy Martin for Spirit Cabinet ("Sheishin no Cabinet") by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Wow! This is incredible!
One look at the Collector’s Workshop Spirit Cabinet from Master Craftsman George Robinson makes you fall in love with beautiful magic all over again!
What a rare treat to open up a box and be totally blown away by the craftsmanship. Not only is this little cabinet incredible to behold, it comes with a box full of goodies too, with 9 pages of instructions and 7 routines. Talk about incredible value for your dollar.
This has to be one of the best buys in magic on all levels: value, sheer beauty, number of routines. I honestly don’t know how George can produce these at such a low price. You should get one before they run out.
I’ll post a longer review when I have studied the detailed instructions that come with this. In the meantime, if you have any doubts that Viking/Collector’s Workshop are producing some of the finest magic today – just buy this single piece and you will understand.
Review by George Guerra for Spirit Cabinet ("Sheishin no Cabinet") by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
George Robinson is to be congratulated on this one
This item took nearly a year to receive, but it was more than well worth it. When I first learned of this new CW item, I couldn’t believe the price. Rather than ordering online, I had to call George at Viking to verify the price and wasted no time to be the second person ordering it.
Well, the chest is a BEAUTY, practically museum quality, and a testament to skilled woodworking. The images on the Viking site definitely do not do justice to this prop. The choice of SOLID hardwoods is to be commended. Dark walnut contrasts wonderfully with the lighter colored maple. The maple used for the doors is matched, nicely grained, figured on one side, and inlayed with walnut accents..gorgeous. The Japanese design to the chest is most attractive and should get the stares.
The chest is subtlety gimmicked in three places, and yes, you will need to read the instructions to find them. Quality accessories, some gimmicked, come with the chest to perform the SEVEN effects described in the well-written multi-page instructions.
The first effect is the classic "Astro-Ball" done with a gold/black cloth ball and a turned wood Japanese bowl. Second, is "Ring on Wand" – borrowed ring followed by large brass ring penetrate solid brass wand running across the chest with tips clearly visible protruding on both walls. George added his own improvement to this old Grant effect. Third, is "Samurai’s Legacy", a large Chinese coins and cord penetration effect. Fourth, is "Sefalaljia" – a classic single ring on cord using the "hook" method plus a bonus non-hook alternative called "Massecar Variation" is described. "Life’s Lesson/The Marriage Ceremony" is the two-loop rope linking effect popular in another apparatus, Dean’s Box. The remaining two are old effects, "Hindu Ring Mystery" by Eddie Joseph and "Block Cord", done in style with this chest. The supplied block has a red lacquered finish with brass Chinese coins inlayed on 4 sides..very nice!
The effects are not necessarily "originals" but definitely first class acts in the context of this versatile chest. As mentioned in the instructions, the Spirit Chest represents a "unique theatre". It turns otherwise "simple" effects into a truly magical experience. A worthy addition to the CW line, I would have paid twice the asking price, if not more. Now, hopefully, ideas and new effects can be gathered, in due time, for a manuscript. What do you think, George?
Review by George Guerra for Haunted Bottle (Natural) by Viking Mfg.
5 out of 5
Now, this is an Imp Bottle!
I just this received this "little" magic. I had ordered it based on the review from Andy Martin. I love natural wood magic apparatus and I had owned, as a kid, the Adams Imp Bottle. So this was nostalgia calling to me when I first heared of it. First, it’s definitely a good sized, "hefty", bottle compared to the plastic Imp Bottle from Adams and the working is similar but the gimmick is not the same as in the original. I would give the handling a 4 star (sorry, I can’t say more without devulging the secret), but the craftsmanship of the bottle and the innovation on the method are first class, so I give the overall effect a 5 star rating.
Review by George Guerra for Ring Vanishing Hank by Viking Mfg.
4 out of 5
Practical and "adaptable" prop!
I bought this because I own Khartoum Ring Fantasy and Tang Dynasty Chest so I needed a practical prop for the ring vanish segment of these effects. Well, I am very pleased with this offering from Viking. The method is simple and right to the point. I love the adaptibility of the prop in that the ring the spectator is feeling under the hank can be changed to what is best suited in anticipation of the performance. The vanish is effortless and rather quite convincing because of the method. A definite must-buy for any ring based effect where a vanish is required.
Review by Andy Martin for It's A Match by Andy Leviss
5 out of 5
Perfect Match – Every Time!
I love this effect! It is based on the same principle used in one of the phases in Larry Becker’s Casino Royale, but this effect is much more impromptu.
You basically talk about how you’ve been collection matchbooks for each hotel you stay at and clearly show a bag full of different books. You pull out a few of the books to show they are all different and to wax and wane fondly about what you did at that hotel! The spectator then has a free choice out of any of the matchbooks and of course it matches the door key that you were left with.
Reset is instant and it is very easy to do. There is no switching of matchbooks or using clear forcing bags or any such madness! This makes a lot of sense and is a wonderful effect.
Review by Andy Martin for Psychic Mystery Watch by Mike Bornstein
4 out of 5
Very nice watch, and surprising revelation!
This watch looks like a nice quality dress watch. But it has the wonderful property of behing able to make a selected card (forced of course) appear beneath the watch face.
It works very quietly and smoothly and is a great utility prop that can be used at anytime in your act. Seeing the card on the watch face is a real surprise and fools them everytime!
The only downside is that you cannot use the watch to tell the time. This is kind of a silly thing, but that is how it goes I guess.
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