Review by George Guerra for Hippity Hop Rabbits by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Cutest Hippity Hoppers Ever!
Collectors’ Workshop released their version of the classic Hippity Hop effect early in their existence. I have not seen one that tops it, yet. They are a beauty. The rabbits are about 4 3/4 inches high and were designed by Les Smith of Owen’s Magic. Actually, if your see their version, you will see a resemblance. The covers and bases are solid walnut. The gimmicks are well built and fit perfectly. Overall, the nicest "mini" sized rabbits I have seen to date and a treasure to my CW collection.
Review by Todd Dowell for Sliding Disc Box by Bill Mitchell
5 out of 5
Yellowshark Design’s Initial Offering is Fantastic!
The quality of this item shows when you first see it. Made of quality materials and hand constructed, this is simply a beautiful piece of craftmanship.
The box is large and measures approximately 20" x 8". Mechanically it works like a charm.
This item would fit right in with Wolf’s Magic items. I give it 5 Stars.
Wow! This is the way to do Perfect Match! If you like the old Kovari effect but were never too happy with the method then this should make you very happy.
It is 100% the way the trick should have been created originally. The props are very well made – even the cards are made of plastic, and the effect can be repeated straight away if so desired.
You take out both sets of 5 esp cards and give one set to the spectator to hold and shuffle. You place your 5 cards into the other side of the frame with the backs out. Then you add the spectators cards into the frame at the precise number they request.
The spectator can change their mind as much as they want. But when they are finally done you turn around the board and the cards match perfectly! You can immediatelly do the effect again with a different outcome.
There is nothing added or taken away, no memory work, and it is 100% fool proof.
Review by Andy Martin for Bromley Deck Penetration by Rob Bromley
5 out of 5
Very Convincing Effect!
What a wonderful effect this is: the spectator sees the box with the bolt running through it. You unscrew the bolt and push a clear plastic rod through the hole. All sides can be see and there is no doubt that the rod is going right through the middle.
Yet when you take the rod out and shake the box, you hear something inside the box … it is a full deck of cards, filling the box, and when you show them they clearly have no holes. It is a very convincing effect.
This is a method I have not seen before, and although it is not really suitable for walk around, since the set-up takes about a minute, it is brilliant for that one time close-up performance.
The deck is gimmicked, but even up close it looks like a normal deck. Nothing is added or taken away and it is very easy to perform!
Review by Andy Martin for Fanciful Nest of Boxes by Paul Lembo
5 out of 5
Wonderful Boxes that are small enough to use!
I was very pleasantly surprised when I received these boxes from Howie – the Hobbit’s Best Friend – at The Trickery. I have been a bit dissappointed with some of his wood work, ever since the wonderful Jerry went AWOL. However, this set is almost where Jerry was – not quite, but close enough to get 5 stars. They are not GG Standard, but with some relatively minor effort they could be.
What is particularly nice about this set of boxes is that they are really quite mini – the largest box is about the size of the middle box of the most beautiful Mel Babcock Nest of Five. This makes them more practical if you were planning on actually using them. The "locks" are also very easy to use since they are just strong magnets and the lock itself is more for decoration. This makes for fast set-up and presentation. The method employed is the Berg method, although unlike other sets I have seen the 3rd box is gimmicked, not the 4th. But this might be a useful improvement, since you are free to hand the last two boxes to the spectator. Of course if you have the new Mel Babock Nest of Five then this is not a problem anyway.
The inlay work looks very nice and when displayed there is no doubt these boxes are very pretty. They make a very striking display when laid out on your table. They are not quite as good as Mel’s set, and the woodwork is not as precise as Alan Warner, however with just a little more attention to detail I think they could be. Most people would be very, very happy with this set, and at the price they do represent good value for sure.
The thing about getting into the GG Standard is the little things, its not enough to just do some really nice wood work, you need to make sure everything is high quality – the brass fittings, the finish, the consistency of each piece, etc. These boxes look really nice from the outside. Inside they are not finished aswell as they should – just an extra 30 minutes of rubbing and cleaning would have made all the difference. The brass locks and handles are a mixed bag for sure – most look fine, but for example on my large box the clasp holding the handle is two different sizes – not that noticable unless you are trying for the GG Standard – then it sticks out like a sore thumb. Clearly, using two clasps the same size would have been just as easy as slightly different sizes, but the attention to detail was not there. Finally, the lock on the 4th box just looks odd, its placement is inconsistent with the rest.
Again, these are minor points, but when you start to enter this market it is precisely the minor points that become major issues. However, I am very pleased to see Howie has stepped up his game, and if he can keep this wood guy around for a little longer I have no doubts that he will become a serious player in the fine wood collectable market!
Review by George Guerra for Sliding Disc Box by Bill Mitchell
5 out of 5
A New Craftsman Is In Town!!
Wacky Wolf inspired box and what a great box this is…with meticulous attention to both detail and quality. As the enclosed letter starts, "Congratulations! You are the proud owner of the Yellowshark Design Sliding Disc Box. This is made of the finest quality materials, designed for professionals…" I am definitely proud to add this beauty to my magic collection
Bright colors, piano hinged doors, perfect fittings, and fabulous graphics on the doors with the center plates attached with screws so that the message can be exchanged are some of my observations on the box. Bill Mitchell the artist behind Yellowshark Design was inspired when he wasn’t happy with the sliding disc boxes currently available and wanted to have one that would fit with the Chance Wolf props he owned.
As can been seen, he succeded quite wonderfully. He used expanded pvc and the box measures 20 1/2" by 8 1/2" by 2 1/2". Two 7 3/8" diameter "blank" discs are included…one can then custom add one’s graphics to it that fits one’s taste. One has a metal washer attached and included with the set is a belt magnet.
He made an initial 2 boxes, then a run of 12 (probably sold out now). There may be no more, BUT we have not heard the last from Bill, "while it was fun to make the props, and it was gratifying to see that there is a market, I do not enjoy working with the expanded pvc material, so I may not make any more. I have been a professional woodworker for the last 20 years or so, and much prefer working with wood." Am I hearing the next Mel Babcock or Alan Warner here…keep tuned.
Review by Steve Cook for Emergency Cash by Steve Shufton
5 out of 5
Cashing-in!
Steve Shufton’s ‘Emergency Cash’ is a really delightful concept! A spectator’s signed, folded and paper-clipped bank note instantly vanishes and, is produced very cleanly and automatically from inside a small envelope: the final one of six nested envelopes. The spectator himself removes his note from this final (small) envelope. I think that the vanish of the note could be strengthened by taking the’heat’ off the hand prior to the vanish of the bank note. I think I’ve found the solution which fits my needs however, this is purely a personal preference.
Also the final (small) envelope could be replaced by a small self-seal bag which could make for a very strong, visual and unexpected ending.
These personal ideas take nothing away from an excellent and unique idea, which is so easy, that it allows you virtually complete freedom to concentrate on your presentation.
The method is devious, sweetly subtle and totally convincing; you will really get a ‘kick’ out of it! There are no switches involved and one envelope is actually dual-purpose, in that it both initiates the vanish of the bank note, and seemingly, its reapperance inside the innermost This effect represents great value and comes very highly recommended.
Review by Brett Schulman for Come Fly With Me by J.B. Magic
5 out of 5
Come Fly With Me ( Morgan Dollar Size)
It is a shame that none of the American dealers are carrying this is Morgan dollars. The good end of it was that I was able to order from Mason direct. After a week the package arrived and I love the entire package. The coins all fantastic and the new gimmick is, to my surprise nice to work with. I like the new moves that Mark has come up with and think his idea on the shell(well actually Steve’s) is great. This set lets you perform the original Kohler routine and the new Mason one. You can’t go wrong
I think Mark Mason and JB TV are releasing some amazing magic. Check out Solo and Outcased they are amazing.
Review by Doug King for Hippity Hop Rabbits by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Cute… Cute… Cute!
Simply the finest piece of collectible magic you will find… creatively designed, masterfully built, one of the world’s greatest magic effects… in mini form, and so darn cute! Of all of my collectibles… this is by far my favorite!
Review by Andy Martin for Horwitz Wallet (Improved) by Basil Horwitz
5 out of 5
The Best just got Better!
So you already know how much I love this wallet! It is one of my favorites and I still use it today. Well Martin Breese, with the help of Tony Curtis, has remade this wallet to be about as perfect as you could imagine.
The weight has been decreased by about 30% from 3.6oz to 2.6oz, the gimmick is now sewn in, and it is even stronger than before. If you already use this wallet all of these improvements will mean something to you. If you don’t then you are in for a real treat!
The original version is still a fabulous wallet, but if you have a choice of either one, then this is clearly the one to go for.
Thanks Martin for striving and achieving perfection!
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