Review by Dave Gooding for Family Ties by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Sea-Ling’s Family Ties
I’ve always admired Richard’s work but I’ve never purchased any of his pieces as I am not a collector per se.
But, when I saw Sea-Ling’s Family Ties and the mechanical complexity involved I decided to take the plunge and I was not disappointed! The engineering is brilliant and the workmanship is second to none, not to mention that it is a fantastic effect.
What impresses me most about Richard’s work is his ability to hold tight tolerances, not only for the critical mechanical components, but also for the aesthetic parts of the prop. Everything is straight, even, and centered, a feat that seams to be difficult for even the best builders such as Owen to achieve.
God has gifted Richard with a unique combination of mechanical and artistic ability, and Sea-Ling’s Family Ties is evidence of this giftedness.
Review by Andy Martin for See-Thru Guillotine (with Stand + ATA Case) by Wellington Enterprises
5 out of 5
My Favorite Perfect Illusion
I’ve always loved Bill Schmeelk’s (Wellingtion Enterprises) close-up items – the Mini-Magic Switchboard, Guardian of the Grave, and more recently the Mystery of the Pyramids Outdone. They are beautifully made, work perfectly, and are all clever in their method. But I’ve fancied for some time his amazing See-Thru Guillotine. Sadly it was well out of my price range.
However, recently I sold a bunch of magic and decided that it was time to really see how good this item was. I must say this was probably one of the most nervous purchases I have ever contemplated. I’ve never spent so many $1000’s on one item before, and really don’t do stage or even parlor shows much these days. But I went ahead anyway. When it arrived I opened it with some real trepidation – could this be my most expensive magic mistake (I’ve been disappointed 100’s of times in the past)?
As I opened the custom ATA case I began to beam. Even the case was perfect! As I assembled the illusion I marveled at how well constructed everything was – this should have not been a surprise based on the smaller items I have of Bill’s. Eventually I had it all unpacked and set-up, but still couldn’t fully understand how it worked, so I finally sat down and studied the instructions.
This truly is the perfect illusion. I love it and think it is worth every single penny. I may not perform it much, but when I do I know it will amaze and amuse my audiences. I’ve had about seven different choppers over the years, but this one is easily the most beautiful and most convincing. Without a doubt this is my favorite illusion now, and in fact probably my favorite item I have ever owned – and I’ve purchased thousands over the years.
I love it, love it, love it! I was starting to get a bit jaded with magic over the last couple of years, but this beautiful creation has 100% got me back. I already have two stage shows lined up for the holidays and maybe more. Thank-you Bill for producing such an amazing item – it truly is breathtaking.
Review by Andy Martin for Merlot and Prism Knives by Joe Mogar
5 out of 5
Unusual Knives from the King
By now it is obvious that Joe Mogar makes the best knives available today – they all just feel right in the hands. This beautiful set that he has recently introduced is no exception. Unfortunately my photos don’t capture the deep reddish brown of the Merlot knives. In fact both knives look particularly striking when the light catches them.
Good to see Joe is continuing to experiment with different finishes – there truly is something for everyone. And if you are a collector of knives, and why wouldn’t you be, he is a great place to start because he continues to produce some outstanding, exotic and unique knives.
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