Year: 2008

A Miser Dreamer’s dreamed prop

Since getting the Wolf Classic Coin Ladder and Levent’s “Ultimate Guide to the Miser Dream” DVD, I have been on the lookout for related props or gaffs to enhance this classic effect. Colin Rose of Five of Hearts has released an ingenious, beautifully crafted, solid brass tweezers to make a coin repeatedly appear on its tips and give the perfect illusion of the coin dropping into a container, with convincing sound effect.

The tweezers are heavy duty, measure close to 10 inches, and the method will intrigue you as it did me. The handle has the Five of Hearts trademark beautifully engraved on the handle. Though the tweezers are available mainly in American Half dollars or Euros, I believe, I challenged Colin to custom build one using a 1921 Morgan silver dollar I mailed him. This makes the prop useable with my Wolf Coin Ladder. He came through and it’s a prop I am most proud to own…I am always nervous when I get a new effect for my collection, fearing it will not meet my stubborn picky taste.

There are certainly minor angle issues, especially with the heavier dollar coin, but easily overcomed with a different handling than found in the instructions. It is quite entertaining and magical to practice in front of a large mirror. Seeing that coin suddenly appear as if caught out of the air is astonishing.

Most highly recommended!!

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The Best Ramsay Stack!

John Ramsay’s Cylinder and Coins is a classic effect, but among the few props needed to perform this routine is a special gaffed stack of coins. I have owned several types over the years. There are fixed ones with three pins holding the coins together, either well aligned or slightly staggered to give it a more “natural” look. There were the ones with only one pin to allow the stack to pivot, but the range was only one dimensional. Remember, these are supposed to be just a stack of coins to the spectator and naturally would be misaligning as you handle them.

Now, we have Todd’s Magnetic Ramsay Stack…evolutionarily ahead of everything I have ever seen. NO PINS, whatsoever to be found! But, quite solid with no chance of separation during the routine yet quite natural in handling this stack of beautiful old Morgan dollars as can be seen in the images. Todd picked some choice soft Morgans with gorgeous patina. The design also allows you to use either a 3 or 4 coin stack (I remember churning that choice when I ordered a fixed stack from one well known craftsman)

I have to say that, even though I had an idea how this gaff was likely constructed, on inspecting my purchase the day I received it in the mail, I smiled and just shook my head in disbelief over the precision craftsmanship and ingenious design that Todd incorporated into this gaff. I was surprised! There is absolutely no better stack for this routine to be found anywhere and I doubt anyone can come up with a better one, too.

At the moment, I am building as large a collection of Todd’s work as I can get my hands on. He is the best coin gaff machinist…period! This is not speaking out of air as I do have gaffs from his competitors.

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Gaff or Regular?…Just Too Perfect!

Anyone in coin magic doesn’t need any introduction to Todd Lassen, frankly, the finest coin craftsman anywhere today. It was a Lassen gaff, the original U3F, that made me a convert to coin magic. Over the years, I have owned many of his gaffs, but more recently I have focused my attention with a vengeance on his stuff. Much of it comes from seeing up close all the great goodies coming from his shop, AND without the usual long wait, though well worth it, of course. First it was ebay and, presently, it is his new blog site. Didn’t realize how many neat stuff there was aside from the usual "standard" stuff one is accustomed to seeing.

Pictured here is the hottest new gaff set from Todd…the Ultimate Wild Coin set that, with the accompanying regular remilled coins, will allow you to perform some incredible magic. The gaffs are so perfect that I always have to lift the coins to see which one drops an insert to distinguish the gaffs from the regular coins in the set. Todd has a video on his blog showing one routine where the coins appear, change from silver to copper, and back to silver in an amazing display of coin magic. More routines will be available from the likes of David Neighbors.

This is, without a doubt, most highly recommended, but, then, anyone who has owned a Lassen gaff doesn’t need any encouragement to "shell" out hard earned money on the very best tools to perform miraculous coin magic. Even if you are only a collector, a Lassen gaff is pure metallic Art to savor and enjoy.

QUIZ: can you tell which of the two overlapping sets in the first image are gaffs or the regular companion coins…the answer is in the second image.

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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.

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