Scott Morley

Posted February 24, 2019:

That was a fun trip through your “museum”, especially some of the old stuff I remember.

Scott Morley
Santa Cruz, California

Review by Andy Martin for Perplexing Bolt by Magic Wagon

Review by Andy Martin for Perplexing Bolt by Magic Wagon
Review by Andy Martin for Perplexing Bolt by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5

This is a beautiful effect from Magic Wagon, inspired by one of the best effects the master inventor Ed Massey ever created The Chinese Flame Clock (c. 1954) and one of the most popular effects that Milson-Worth created.

You will not be disappointed by this amazing piece of magic from Magic Wagon. Based on an amazing effect, reduced in size for collectors, with flawless mechanics and simply beautiful too. This is the one to get, as Magic Wagon created a lot less than usual. You’ll love this bad boy!

A steel bolt is shown to be completely solid and then placed inside a beautiful wooden cabinet. The front door is now closed and two solid brass blades are pushed through the cabinet from side to side creating the illusion of cutting the bolt into three pieces. When the door is opened, the blades are clearly seen running through the cabinet, but the middle section of the bolt has now vanished! The performer then wave’s his hand behind the cabinet to further prove that the steel bolt’s middle section is not visible. The front door is now closed and the blades are removed. When the door is finally opened again, the center section of the bolt has reappeared! The steel bolt can now be removed and shown to be fully restored. It is a great miniature illusion!

The cabinet measures approximately 8.8cms wide, 15cms high and 8.8cms deep and has been completely handcrafted from natural aged teak wood with a lightly distressed oil finish.

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Review by Andy Martin for Chips (Colors) Electronic by Paul Picha

Review by Andy Martin for Chips (Colors) Electronic by Paul Picha
Review by Andy Martin for Chips (Colors) Electronic by Paul Picha
5 out of 5

This is an advanced version of the old sucker effect Lucky Light (Harry Stanley c. 1950) with three chips and a small box with three colored push button switches. It is created by the Austrian electronic wizard Paul Picha, who also created such wonders as the Stone of the Pharoah. Paul had a nice website at ppmagic.at but it seems to have gone dark, like so many before it. The box is 100% self-contained with no magnets or external devices and unlike the original Lucky Light they can press their buttons multiple times and nothing will happen, until you finally try your chosen light which of course does light.

You show the audience an elegant box with a small light and three buttons with different colors, and explain that the light can only be lit with one of the three buttons. Now you place three chips the same colors as the buttons on the table and ask two spectators to choose one chip each. The last, third chip remains for you. Now, one by one, the spectators press their button corresponding to their selected chip. However, neither the first nor the second manages to turn on the light! Only you are able to light the lamp with the third button!

The key thing is that it does not matter if you press the button first, second or third! The feat can be repeated immediately (with different colors).

Your hands are free (no magnets, etc.), there are no remotes, and you do not add or remove anything and the box can even be examined! This is a great method that I have not seen before. And to top it off it uses standard AAA batteries which can easily be replaced by unscrewing the base unit, but they should last for months (years?) due to the small amount of power used for the light.

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Review by Andy Martin for Telekinetic Chess by Gary Brown, Collectors' Workshop

Review by Andy Martin for Telekinetic Chess by Gary Brown, Collectors' Workshop
Review by Andy Martin for Telekinetic Chess by Gary Brown, Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5

This is a very nice and well priced chess board based on a concept by Gary Brown and designed and manufactured by Collectors’ Workshop. With modern day audiences I don’t know how many of them are completely blown away by these types of effects anymore but George Robinson has built some neat features into the board. It has a key fob remote feature but also hot spot squares and timer feature that means pieces move and you don’t even need to use the remote.

I think if you could add this into a psychic/bizarre themed show then it would be very effective. The movement of the pieces and die is very reliable and sudden, and in the right context you’re definitely going to get some gasps from certain spectators! This is true for all psychic phenomena really – you can’t just walk on do a milk jug and linking rings routine then make something move with your mind. But with the right routine and theme you could freak some people out, or just have fun with it at your next club meet.

A chess piece is placed on a chessboard; so far nothing too exciting. But then the performer rubs his hands together and holds them a few inches from the chess piece. He now stands back all the while concentrating his energy on the chess piece. Suddenly the chess piece moves slightly and then topples over as if flicked by an unseen hand.

Next, a second chess piece is introduced. The spectator has his/her choice of either one. Both are placed on the chessboard. This time the performer asks the spectator to assist by placing his/her hands over his/her selected chess pieces while willing the chosen piece to move. The performer is well away from the board and the chess pieces yet the selected piece moves, almost tumbling over.

This is the bare-bones effect possible with our Haunted Telekinetic Chessboard. Obviously, the performer can use any theme he would like such as a spirit haunts the board, etc.

Comes with wooden chess board, five chess pieces, a die and all that is needed to perform these and other miracles. Board measures 15″ square when open and measures 15″ x 7.5″ when closed. And thankfully this uses commonly available AAA batteries.

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Review by Andy Martin for Ring Escape Deluxe by Holland Magic Studio

Review by Andy Martin for Ring Escape Deluxe by Holland Magic Studio
Review by Andy Martin for Ring Escape Deluxe by Holland Magic Studio
5 out of 5

A high-end remake of the Vienna Magic’s amazing Ring Escape. This beautiful version was created by the Dutch Craftsman: Frans Reijnier who is creating a fine line of beautiful magic at his new company: Holland Magic Studio whose items are exclusively available from Dynamite Magic also in Holland. The manufacture is faithful to the original but everything is a little better and in particular the ring holder is now on a transparent stand and the action works more smoothly. This also comes with an extra clear cover, that is part of the patter story and a nice presentation case.  What makes this effect so effective is that there is nothing added or taken away, and there is zero reset, unlike the famous, and later inspired Crystal Cleaver by Tenyo.

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Review by Andy Martin for Ring Tower by Holland Magic Studio

Review by Andy Martin for Ring Tower by Holland Magic Studio
Review by Andy Martin for Ring Tower by Holland Magic Studio
5 out of 5

A high-end remake of the Vienna Magic’s amazing Ring Tower. This beautiful version was created by the Dutch Craftsman: Frans Reijnier who is creating a fine line of beautiful magic at his new company: Holland Magic Studio whose items are exclusively available from Dynamite Magic also in Holland. The manufacture is faithful to the original but everything is a little better and the action works more smoothly. What makes this so effective is that there is nothing added or taken away, and there is zero reset, unlike the famous, and later inspired Crystal Cleaver by Tenyo.

Click here for more information.

Review by Andy Martin for Ring Escape Deluxe (Chinese Version) by Holland Magic Studio

Review by Andy Martin for Ring Escape Deluxe (Chinese Version) by Holland Magic Studio
Review by Andy Martin for Ring Escape Deluxe (Chinese Version) by Holland Magic Studio
5 out of 5

A high-end remake of the Vienna Magic’s amazing Ring Escape. This beautiful version was created by the Dutch Craftsman: Frans Reijnier who is creating a fine line of beautiful and well engineered magic at his new company: Holland Magic Studio whose items are exclusively available from Dynamite Magic also in Holland. The manufacture is faithful to the original but everything is a little better and in particular the ring holder is now on a transparent stand and the action works more smoothly. This also comes with an extra clear cover, that is part of the patter story and a nice presentation case. What makes this so effective is that there is nothing added or taken away, and there is zero reset, unlike the famous, and later inspired Crystal Cleaver by Tenyo.

Click here for more information.

Review by Andy Martin for Cubes and Tubes by Holland Magic Studio

Review by Andy Martin for Cubes and Tubes by Holland Magic Studio
Review by Andy Martin for Cubes and Tubes by Holland Magic Studio
5 out of 5

Another beautiful effect created by the Dutch Craftsman: Frans Reijnier who is creating a fine line of beautiful and well engineered magic at his new company: Holland Magic Studio whose items are exclusively available from Dynamite Magic also in Holland. This looks quite amazing and even close-up you won’t see a thing. Nothing added or taken away and the reset is a snap too. You’ll love the quality of the plastic work.

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Review by Andy Martin for Razzle Dazzle by Louis Gaynor

Review by Andy Martin for Razzle Dazzle by Louis Gaynor
Review by Andy Martin for Razzle Dazzle by Louis Gaynor
5 out of 5

This is the latest version of this wonderful old Con game built by Louis Gaynor created exclusively for Stevens Magic, and what a beauty it is.  Growing up I used to watch Paul Daniels on the TV every week and one of my favorite segments was the Bunko Booth where Paul would demonstrate some con game or other.  It was always very entertaining.  Mark Mason used to run a Razzle Dazzle game in the UK for real when he was growing up too. 

Not only is it a piece of Hustling History, but the greatest con game ever. It’s the only game to be banned in the entire world. Monte, shells, endless loop, etc., aren’t even in this bad boy’s league. The Razzle Dazzle can offer an amazing display of chance that one can surely win every now and then, but even if played fairly is all, but impossible to win. Wonderful demonstration at Trade Shows not to mention the fun at your shows and with friends!

This is not a magic trick per se, but it is beautifully made and if you like con games you’ll love this bad boy.

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Review by Frank Lehmann for Vintage Merrill Style Knives by Al Cohen

Review by Frank Lehmann for Vintage Merrill Style Knives by Al Cohen
Review by Frank Lehmann for Vintage Merrill Style Knives by Al Cohen
5 out of 5

From the pictures, these look like Merrill knives made by Al Cohen. I understand that Al bought the rights from Merrill. Al’s knives have brass ends while the original Merrill knives were a silver colored metal. The first batch Al had made were fantastic and as good as the original Merrill’s. Later batches weren’t as well made.

I like these better than the Mogar knives because they have metal at both ends, eliminating the possibility of flashing, and they look more like a regular pocket knife (which they are) than the Mogars.

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