Review by Andy Martin for Enchanted Ring (Improved) by Dave Powell
5 out of 5
Anverdi Outdone!
There have been many versions of Anverdi’s Enchanted Ring and most of them are pretty neat. However, this new one by Dave Powell is probably the best one available.
The moment the rings passes through the needle is particularly amazing as it is possible to do it as you place the block onto the spectators outstretched hand, with no covers or motion. It does look amazing for sure! Nothing is added or taken away and everything can be examined.
This is certainly one not to be missed for the close-up performer!
Review by Andy Martin for Color Match by Craig Filicetti
5 out of 5
Always Amazing!
Craig Fillcetti’s work is always amazing! Color Match is no exception and what is really neat about this item is that although it uses state of the art electronics you would never suspect it.
The package can be used for a close-up/walk around and parlor/stage performance which makes it even more of a deal. There is a one-time set-up but after that you should be good to go for months of performances.
This is real magic at it’s best!
Highly recommended for performing mentalists everywhere!
Review by Andy Martin for Spider-flex Complete Backdrop by Spider
5 out of 5
Beautiful, Functional, and Quick!
I had a set of Abbott’s Jet-Sets for thirteen years and was always happy with how they looked once they were up. But the set-up was a bit of a pain and the material I used really needed a good ironing from time to time. They were also quite heavy. These Spider’s are so much better in every way.
Firstly they look great – much more professional than the Jets, they are taller and have a proper opening in the middle, they are lighter, and they are much, much quicker to set-up. It takes me about 10 mins. from start to finish. With practice this can be streamlined further I’m sure.
The secret with a successful portable backdrop is that it has to be easy to set-up and look good otherwise you’ll not bother to put it up as often. I whip the Spider’s up whenever I get a chance!
I’m so glad Mark Stevens at StevensMagic.com convinced me to invest in this set, they are well worth the money and will last me a lifetime!
It has been many years since I have opened a brand-new effect from my good friend Alan Warner, but this Christmas I had the rare treat of doing just that. Alan, always ships his items from the UK meticulously packed and everything always arrives neat, tidy and in perfect working order. The mere action of opening the tightly wrapped brown paper and tissue paper gets your magic juices flowing as the magic reveals itself to you.
This particularly item is produced as a limited edition of just fifteen units and will be in high demand amongst Warner fans throughout the world. Alan has created three clever routines to work with the same basic box and although it is not possible to perform all three at the same sitting it does add more mileage to the purchase as each effect is strong and different.
In Effect #1 you place a blank piece of plastic inside the box and start collecting invisible holes. As you collect them from the air you store them in the box. When the plastic is now tipped out it is covered with holes: squares, circles, and rectangles. You then notice a even rarer hole – a triangle and as you tip out the plastic it now has an extra triangle. Two sets of changes from a very innocent looking box without any tricky moves.
In Effect #2, a card is chosen from six miniature cards on display and placed on a blank piece of plastic (which can be given to the spectator). They can choose to place the card either face up or face down and once they are happy you place the plastic and card into the box. A magical gesture and the card and plastic is tipped out again – and the face or back of the chosen card has now been imprinted on the plastic. The playing card is then turned over to see that the side touching the plastic has been erased.
In Effect #3, the box is used to hold a single prediction and the spectator is given a fair choice of one of four neat looking plaques and of course every time the prediction matches perfectly. The predicted plaque can be different each time and the method is simple but clean.
Three great effects all housed in a beautiful presentation case that only Alan knows how to craft. If you are an Alan Warner fan then now would be the time to contact him to see if you can get on the list for one of these rare beauties. You will not be disappointed.
Review by Andy Martin for Magic Pizza Box by Smoky Mountain Magic
5 out of 5
Fun and now a Fooler!
Excluding all of the Die Boxes and Run Rabbit Run’s, there have been many versions of this basic effect – on this site alone we have: Luna Trick, Elusive Teddy Bear, and Sliding Disc Box. In most cases it is a poor cousin to the Die Box, because many Die Boxes do in fact fool the audience. Fortunately, Dan Wolfe and his team over at Smoky Mountain Magic have created the Magic Pizza Box which really is a fooler. They have added two large holes in the back that you put your hand through, and yet the pizza still vanishes. If you watch the video on Dan’s site it is a real surprise when it vanishes. Where did it go!
The wooden box is very well made and it really looks like a pizza box (albeit two together). The plastic pizza looks good enough to eat and the patter lines can be much more realistic and fun because the box and pizza look so good. The unit is built from unbreakable plastics, cabinet-grade plywood, and covered in their TuffKote laminate and will probably last a lifetime. It also comes with a duplicate pizza to reproduce on your back or elsewhere.
This is my first item from Dan and I look forward to purchasing more magic from him in the future. He was a friendly and helpful in my communications with him and got this out the same day I ordered it.
Now Chance Wolf is out of the picture it is hard to find unique, great quality, performable magic, but with Smoky Mountain Magic I believe I have a new dealer to watch.
Highly Recommended for stage and parlor performers everywhere!
Review by Andy Martin for Mental Safari Deluxe by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5
Another Box Office and Perfection Attained
I’ve had a soft spot for T.A. Waters’ Box Office for years and have owned many versions. Magic Wagon too seem to like it as they have created three different versions now. For me this is their best and it is a really wonderful. Apart from better materials used from their original Mental Safari they have added a knob for the inner tray. This make it much easier to take out the tray which is a weakness of the original version. Also the bottom where the prediction is placed is more stable and convincing.
If you wanted the most authentic looking version of this trick the Tabman Chest of Destiny still rules, however as far as the best working and prettiest I believe this would be it. It is simply gorgeous and works 100% perfectly.
I believe these have already sold out which is a shame because it is one effect that more people should own.
Highly Recommended for collectors and close-up performers!
Review by Andy Martin for See-Thru Geneva Prediction Watch by Collector's Workshop, Joe Silkie
5 out of 5
My Favorite Geneva Prediction Watch
I’ve had opportunity to use four different versions of this watch – three directly from Collector’s Workshop, and this one from Meir Yedid. The See-Thru version uses a slightly different mechanism and unlike the original cannot be opened by the spectator. For me this is not an issue and in fact I believe the handling is simpler. One plus of the this version is the watch actually works and it looks particularly cool with the workings exposed and the movement freely seen.
Having it back again is good and It is part of my walk around act now.
Review by Bob Meigs for Impossible Double Hole Wrist Chopper (Painted) by Fairchild Entertainment
5 out of 5
The "No Fear" Chopper
This well made apparatus really fills the bill, now that guillotines and other "threatening" apparatus are banned from some venues. It can be played as a "chopper," but the blade doesn’t even pretend to be sharp. This gives the performer the option of playing this piece in a completely non-threatening manner.
You have to change your patter and give up the tried and true guillotine jokes, but you can adapt this easily any audience. And it really sells – , it’s more of a fooler than most choppers and guillotines.
At my venues, I’ve had to give up some beloved routines, including my Dante sword-thru-ncek, sawings, and anything that even looks like a gun. So it’s nice to have a "chopper’ that I can still use, and that really entertains.
Review by Andy Martin for Grosvenor Square House by Francois Danis
5 out of 5
Francois’ Masterpiece!
I’m very proud to add this beautiful house of magic to my collection! I’ve been watching Francois grow over the years and his magic has been improving all the time. I feel with this particular limited collection he has really found his way.
Everything about this collection is perfect – from the box itself, the 4 beautiful effects that are so neatly housed inside and even the instruction booklet. There is nothing that a collector of fine magic would not love about this release. If you are one of few collector’s who has not followed Francois’ rise, now would be the time to jump on board.
This collection comes with four effects: Ladies’ Portraits, The Unprisonned Lady, Moriarty’s Secret Room, and Moriarty’s Escape. But what is unique about this collection is that each effect has been designed to be performed as part of an overall Sherlock Holmes tale. So it is not just a box of cool tricks, but a full on Sherlock Holmes adventure with magic thrown in to spice it up!
I’m sure most of us will just perform an effect or two, but if you take the time to master the story you’ll have an enduring classic on your hands.
There are only 12 of these but if you can get one then you’ll be lucky to have a true work of art that even Sir Arthur would be inspired by!
Review by Greg for Crystal Mental Die by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5
Crystal Clear Perfection
I just found my favorite Magic Wagon effect…and that is hard for me to say, since I’ve had dozens of favorites.
I’ve used this, and it delivers seamlessly, every time. I’ve had people examine it, then place their selection in the box with me in another room. I call out the selection… and I am nowhere near the box. It is inexplicable.
I love the design of this piece. It’s exquisite. It looks mysterious, but very special…almost unworldly, and wizardly. It lends itself to dozens of story lines and explanations. The mechanics function perfectly, and signal you in a purposely redundant way…you will not miss the needed clue.
If this piece is a sign of things to come from Magic Wagon, I’m riding along with them.
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