Review by Brett Schulman for The Chest of Nostradamus by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Chest of Nostrdamus, The
I just received my Chest from George at Viking/CW and it is an incredible piece of magic. The craftsmanship is top notch as you would expect from C.W. and the execution is flawless.
George has constructed a great piece of magic that you will love to perform. It is so clever, and will fool everyone you show it to. The chest and deck are gaff free and are handled by your spectator the entire time.
The Chest of Nostradamus is a must for any serious collector/performer. You will love it and use it.
Review by Andy Martin for The Chest of Nostradamus by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
What a Beautiful Surprise
New items from my good friend George Robinson at Viking Magic are few and far between. So when this item arrived in the mail last week I was particularly excited. The box looks amazing and intriguing with the chain. The effect is as clean as a whistle and there is absolutely nothing to find.
In effect you dangle the box from the chain in front of a spectator and inform him there is a deck of cards with a prediction inside the box. You ask him to mimic cutting a deck and count how many cards they have cut to and to look at the card at that position. This is all done in their mind. Next they reveal where they cut to and open the box and they take out the cards and prediction – the cards are not touched by the performer. They now count down to the number and show the card, it matches the prediction.
This is an beautifully clever idea which has a number of possibilities. The amazing thing is that the box and deck of cards are 100% ungimmicked and nothing is added or taken away. And yet you can always predict the card they will count too.
When George puts his mind to something you can always be assured of the highest quality, and this is one of those items that surely will keep everyone guessing.
It is a beauty George!
Most Highly Recommended for Collector’s and Performers everywhere!
Review by Andy Martin for Light and Heavy Chest Deluxe by Gimpy's Magic
5 out of 5
What a Beauty this is!
So I remember when the Gravity Box came out how everyone was excited by it. This box is so much better – it is much more solid when set, the inside of the box can be shown without fear, and the actual setting of the unit is done by the spectator!
There is absolutely no budging it when set – not sideways or up and down. It is just too "heavy" to budge. The construction of this box is also very finely manufactured and the box itself is quite heavy with a strong solid clasp at the front. Although the method is similar to the Gravity Box, it seems more realistic on this box because it is already that much heavier. So when the spectator suddenly is too weak to lift the box, it is much more plausible. The base even has some black-art going on, so it looks like you can see under the box.
Altogether, a much better thought out product and a real fooler.
Review by George Guerra for Teufel Chop Cup by Mark Teufel
5 out of 5
A Cup Worthy of a Museum
I own and treasure a segmented chop cup that incorporates Padauk, Zebrawood, Wenge, and Red Oak. It was handcrafted by Howard Hale and I had never seen one that equaled it or surpassed it on the market, till I acquired this cup from Mark Teufel. It’s a big one, capable of hiding a tennis ball, but look at all that beautiful exotic wood! While my Hale cup was just rings of wood, this one has a gorgeous geometric pattern to it. Not sure how Mark accomplished this.
This Teufel cup incorporates 5 different exotic woods, stands about 4 inches and the mouth opening is 2 3/4 inches. It’s a sturdy cup with the walls much thicker than my Hale cup. To top it, the price is quite a bargain for the quality that you are getting. For all you chop cup collectors, this is definitely a must.
NOTE: the woods used in this cup are Bocote, Ebony, Padauk, Satin Wood, and Figured Maple.
Review by George Guerra for Zig Zag Coin – Snakewood by Mark Teufel
5 out of 5
Zig Zag Maximus
I had heard of Mark Teufel in the past, but never owned any of his magic, then I recently read a very positive comment on this item by John Mendoza. For some reason, that piqued my interest in obtaining one.
Eventually, I learned the whereabouts on Mark and it turned out he is a 50 minute drive from my home. When my order was finished, I drove over to pick this up and he turned out to be a very pleasant and friendly man, clearly enthusiastic with his magic. Though I suspected how this apparatus worked, his demonstration left me in doubt, as the magic was amazing to watch.
Not only is this a great trick, the apparatus is a BEAUTY! Heavy, solid brass construction throughout, all masked by a gorgeous, exotic Snakewood exterior (at extra cost and if Mark has it in stock, which is very infrequent, I am told). I knew this would be special, so I had bought on ebay a pair a AU 1945 Walkers to replace his standard clad Kennedys. The result is an apparatus that is a pride to display and perform. Oh yes, as expected, the mechanics is smooth and flawless in operation.
Review by George Guerra for Card to Money Clip by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Powerful Mental Effect
It’s been 2 years since the last Gerlitz was released, Orb of Truth, and that was quite a mechanical marvel. Now he has released three effects under a Pocket Mentalism Series banner. This one is clearly my favorite. The effect is powerful! The prop looks ordinary enough to divert suspicion but, more importantly, it all works effortlessly so you can concentrate on presentation.
For those who love magical mechanical devices, this will not disappoint. I am glad Richard showed an image of the underlying brass mechanism on his site to fully appreciate what one is getting, as he sends the apparatus already prepared, as pictured, for immediate performance. This is definitely one that will entice you to carry and perform as it wouldn’t be one to display in your magic collection. As I said earlier, the effect packs the power to impress any spectator!
Richard continues the tradition he set when he started his line of magic: great effects, great apparatus, and all in very limited edtions that he strictly adheres to. SO, don’t wait and be disappointed when that "Sold Out" comes up on his site.
Review by Steve Perry for Lassen UWC Coin Set by Todd Lassen
1 out of 5
A Horrible experience
Have to say that when I got the coin set it was horrible. It had dings in the set the s**lls were bent and the faces were concave. I called Todd Lassen Up and he made every excuse up in the book for why the edges had dings and the face was concave including the fact that that is the way there supposed to be. He also would not fix them when i sent them to him and he sent them back and claimed that I damaged them . He had my credit card information in his house the day thieves broke into his house and stole coins and god knows what else information wise on orders he had filled or not filled. I have since decided to purchase my coins from Schoolcraft. I will never spend money with Todd Lassen again he is too unreliable. I do not recommend him at all.
Review by George Guerra for The Egyptian Sun Gods Game by Alan Warner
5 out of 5
The Magic of Egypt!
It was Alan’s Egyptian style magic that first captivated my attention when I learned of his mini- magic back in 2001. It may be the mystique of this ancient land and its mythology, artwork, and magic that is alluring and, now, all well captured in beautifully grained handcrafted teakwood as only Alan has ever been able to accomplish. This new release is no exception and a welcomed addition to this themed portion of Alan’s magic.
Selected colored tablet matches the colored sun god tablet not once, but twice, all in a fair manner. It’s the beauty of the props that sells and the wonderful routine that entertains…all easy to perform so you can concentrate on the presentation. I love it!
Review by Joey Butler for Al Stanger's Miracle Poker Machine by Al Stanger, John Mendoza
4 out of 5
Unbelievable
Al Stanger’s Miracle Poker Machine is truly unbelievable. It fries an audience and makes magicians capable of murder. I have heard that when a group of ‘card men’ once saw John Mendoza demonstrate this, someone was heard to say, ‘Guys will kill for that.’ It was my pleasure to see John perform this twice at a SEAM convention in Nashville a few years ago. It dropped jaws all over the small room where his close up session was held. I would give this four and one half stars if there was such a rating. In all good conscience I cannot give it a (perfect) five stars because it is somewhat difficult to master. It looks like the machine does all the work, but, of course, it doesn’t. I understand that Gaeten Bloom reacted the same way and has created a simpler handling. I have not worked on that presentation yet, but if it is up to Bloom’s typical excellence, it may well be the ‘improvement’ that this awesome effect deserves.
Review by George Guerra for Rainbow Puzzle by Alan Warner
5 out of 5
Ultimate puzzler
It never fails to feel like a kid on Christmas Day opening his favorite gift when a parcel arrives in the mail from Alan Warner. Even after so many deliveries in the past years, that enchantment has never dwindled. I also know that many collectors have their favorite Warner items, selling off those that didn’t please them, yet I have kept every single Warner piece I have bought. I can’t say the same with the many great names in magic I have been a loyal customer over the years. I guess this is a testament to the great magic from this one man.
This is indeed another beautiful puzzle effect, distinct from The Oracle or Red Chinese Puzzle, both marvelous effects, too. There is the gorgeous design, the bright colours, and the meticulous teak craftsmanship. The classic puzzle mystery is enhanced by a transposition effect involving the missing piece, and all comes nicely packaged in that classic mini-magic size. Love the lid decor which also serves as an aid in the performance…Alan thinks of everything.
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