Month: December 2019

I have never seen a set of dice like this before and although I thought we were done when Marc Antoine brought his version out in 2018, I was wrong.  This is not only the best set of mental dice ever created, it is probably the best item Murphy’s has ever produced.  Absolutely Fantastic! 🙂

And it all began with this beauty back in 1976, and since Murphy’s owns the rights to all of Anverdi’s creations I assume we can expect more amazing things from them to come in 2020.

The ad copy of this incredible set of dice is all true …

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This is the current version (since 2013) of Nick Wenger’s amazing Shake ‘n’ Snake.  It is basically the same but the basket is now a hand woven basket from Gypsy Baskets instead of a hard shell (firbeglass?) basket and the snake is now more realistic than before and in fact very similar to one supplied with Viper Pro.  I love Terry Lunceford’s Viper Pro, but Shake ‘n’ Snake is so much better in entertainment, look, and, of course, manufacture.  The electronics for Nick’s snake continue to be very solid and expertly made, and the unit is very reliable and works like a charm.

Although Collectors’ Workshops’ Khyber Kobra is mechanically superior, from a concentrated excitement and laughter impact I think I’d stick with this effect.

The addition of the shake feature is a brilliant idea and really increases the suspense. Imagine Jaws without the music, the film would be nowhere near as scary. The Shake feature is kind of like that. Not only do they suspect something is about to happen they get a preview too and each time it shakes it builds up the tension and surprise factor. When the snake finally leaps the surprise is that much more intense.

The electronics in the Viper Pro II and III are good, and I’ve never had a problem with them (the first Viper Pro was another story), but they are clearly inferior when compared to Mr. Wenger’s work. Don’t get me wrong I would still perform the Viper Pro II if I didn’t have Shake ‘n’ Snake, it is still a great, reliable trick. But Shake ‘n’ Snake is the best without a question, and I cannot imagine ever using my Viper Pro II again.

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I knew when I purchased my first Ball Vase from Richard Spencer’s that it would not be long before I purchased one of these.  I was surprised I held out for a whole year 🙂

Richard has made this beautiful set from the exotic hardwood Monkey Pod.  Having the ability to transpose colors between vases definitely adds an extra dimension when it comes to creating an interesting and entertaining routine.  These work perfectly and even without any sleights you can create some great magic.

The gimmicks are very solid and blend seamlessly into the vase.  There is nothing to see even close-up and it is very easy to forget if you are looking at the real ball or the gimmick.

The effort involved to create these and the subsequent price, means they are clearly aimed at the high-end collector and you will not be disappointed with the quality. Also you will be pleasantly surprised that with very little effort you have an effect that will look classy and be amazing too!

These are really beautiful, great job Richard!

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The idea of using magic powder to distract attention from a sleight or move has been around for centuries. It was first described c. 1584 by Prevost used to ditch the thread in the Gypsy Thread effect. The term Woofle Dust first appears in Lesson 2 of the original Tarbell Course c. 1927 and it has been used ever since.

Thomas Wayne’s version is made from a quality salt shaker and contains precision machine components that are built to last a lifetime. It comes with an empty salt shaker which Thomas uses to maximize the laughter out of this otherwise under utilized prop.

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After the success of Viking’s Medieval Card Box they have now introduced two new Celtic Card Boxes: a regular magnetic one and a locking magnetic one.  These boxes are very well made, look great, and work perfectly.  They are quite large and heavy but that is probably more practical and realistic for the bizarre themes they can be used for. These boxes comfortably fit a full size Tarot deck and other larger items for your story telling needs. They are perfect for Arthur Monroe’s VooDoo as performed by Richard Osterlind here.

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After the success of Viking’s Medieval Card Box they have now introduced two new Celtic Card Boxes: a regular magnetic one and a locking magnetic one which is based on the Locking Card Box here.  These boxes are very well made, look great, and work perfectly.  They are quite large and heavy but that is probably more practical and realistic for the bizarre themes they can be used for.  These boxes comfortably fit a full size Tarot deck and other larger items for your story telling needs.

Click here for more information.

American magician “Silent” Mora (Louis Jerome McCord) created these wonderful Chinese Sticks out of real bamboo. The Bamboo Wands released by Owen’s look like Bamboo but are made from high quality plastic.  Though the Owen wands are definitely smoother to operate because they did not in fact use real bamboo which is harder to work with to get perfectly smooth.  Even so these are still beautiful sticks and every set has a signed message or inscription from Silent Mora.  These ones say:

• “Talking is Silver, Silence is Gold.“
• “When Money Speaks, Truth Keeps Silence.“

with a date of Nov. 5, 1956.  Silent Mora began making these Bamboo sticks c. 1925.

Click here for more information.