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.
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.
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.
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.
Review by Andy Martin for Ultimate Mental Boxes by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5
This is an update to the earlier version Magic Wagon created called Mental Boxes in 2012. Both versions use the same method which does not require any electronics or external devices. I think some people were less impressed with this item because it is not a James Bond like method. But this method and effect is much more likely to be used and fool people than some of their other items. If you actually want to perform their magic you could get some real mileage out of this item. If you want it to just look pretty on the shelf of your collection (or website!) then it will look perfect as always from Magic Wagon.
Six small boxes and six numbered chips are displayed. While the performer’s back is turned, a spectator is asked to mix the chips thoroughly and then to place one chip in each of the boxes so to create a six digit number, for example let’s say the number is “326415”. Each of the boxes are then closed and mixed completely by the spectator. Once the performer turns around, he is able to reveal the exact six digit random number selected!
Please note that six numbers in total can now be used, which was not possible with any other version that we have previously produced!
Each box measures approximately 5cms wide, 3cms high and 5cms deep and has been individually and meticulously handcrafted from high quality metallic silver faux leather and fully lined with velvet fabric.
Review by Andy Martin for Block of India (Der Indische Wurfel) by Thomas Pohle
5 out of 5
Beautiful precision magic expertly manufactured and although it comes with a spare block to switch I have never seen the need because the gimmicked block is so well made, and unless you really know what you are looking for you’ll never spot the gimmick.
This is the version created by Thomas Pohle and it is much smaller than the Bill Adams’ World of Magic version – the block is just 1.75″ x 1.75″, otherwise the effect is the same. The size is really convenient however, but finding rings and coins that fit the block is a real challenge, luckily I tracked down some correctly sized rings with Chinese characters on which look and work perfectly, and they are included.
The effect briefly is a ring is borrowed and vanished (using your favorite method). A beautiful wooden cube with a hole running through the center is introduced and ‘threaded’ onto a wand (a chopstick, cord or ribbon can also be used). The spectator holds both ends of the wand whilst the performer covers the cube with a handkerchief. In a few seconds the performer comes out from under the handkerchief with the cube. The spectator is still holding both ends of the wand.
But that is not all, the performer removes the handkerchief from the wand and threaded on the wand is the borrowed finger ring. The spectator is still holding both ends of the wand. Top quality magic, superbly made, Block of India is not difficult to perform and once the handling is mastered the presentation can be a knock-out.
Comes complete with two blocks, two chinese rings, a wand, and original German instructions and a copy of the Mandarin Exchange instructions in English.
Review by Andy Martin for The Devil's Mail Box by Owen Magic Supreme
5 out of 5
This is the most convincing switching device I have ever seen. Originally created by Thayer Quality Magic c. 1940 this is the Owen’s version that not only looks beautiful the switch works perfectly right under their eyes. If you watch this closely you’ll swear that the envelope never once leaves your sight, and yet just as easily it was switched.
This marvelous piece of apparatus is built to represent a sort of Desk, Letter Rack to contain envelopes, with grooved base for pen and pencils, also a small mounted calendar for current reference use. The idea is simply this. Suppose you wish to cause the appearance of a written spirit message upon a sheet of blank paper which any spectator may seal in an empty envelope. You merely place the envelope into the open letter rack container, where it remains in full view, yet when removed the desired change has taken place.
This is the perfect switch of two envelopes, without the envelope itself leaving the spectators’ gaze for a single instant. It will defy detection at two feet and even you yourself will almost swear that no change could possibly occur. One envelope in full view every second-yet now it becomes a different one entirely. And nothing left to tell how, when or where it all happened.
Review by Andy Martin for Anverdi Spirit Bell by Anverdi
5 out of 5
There is no doubt that Anverdi was decades ahead of his time. This Spirit Bell was not only the first of its type but it was the one to own for about 40 years before some seriously amazing bells came out with equally amazing modern technology. It may not be so difficult to figure out for modern day audiences but it is still an amazing piece of magic and history. It was almost 40 years before Nick Wenger’s Sprit Bell came out to really unseat Anverdi from his throne along with Tim Wisseman and of course Cesaral.
This bell came out almost 50 years ago and it still works perfectly today. What I’d be interested in seeing is in another 50 years how many of these bells will still actually work? I’m sure Anverdi’s will, but what about the others?
Magician controls ringing of bell by remote control. Bell can answer questions, tell the spots on a card, etc. The bell rings loud and clear. A trick you and your audiences will enjoy!
Anverdi’s Sprit Bell works perfectly but do it at a slow steady pace. Don’t go Ding, Ding, Ding one right after the other, allow a second before each ring. This comes with a wonderful routine by my good friend George Robinson of Viking Mfg.
This is Michael Baker’s first effect from the Magic Crafters Meeting 2018 held in Wichita, Kansas, featuring some of the finest craftsmen today including, Gimpy, George Ledo, Louie Gaynor and Michael Baker. Michael really stepped up on this product which will feature limited production. The collection will be limited to only 20 pieces. If your a fan of die boxes and beautiful apparatus this is going to be hard to resist. It has both functionality and a beautiful look, it would be a shame to not have it prominent visually available.
This unique limited production product crafted by Michael Baker, can ONLY be purchased from Stevens Magic Emporium. The piece is exquisite and exceptionally detailed as one would expect from Michael. The box features velvet lined interior, and of course the necessary sliding gimmick, two top-doors, and two double-front doors.
Dimensions: 5 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide by 2 3/4″ tall.
Review by Andy Martin for Horizontal Card Rise Deluxe (Remote) by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Horizontal Card Rise: This is a lovely effect which is as baffling as it is entertaining. The original idea comes from Karl Germain (1878-1959) using a large goblet to hold the cards. Eric Lewis also created a version called Comedy Come-back Card c. 1947 which is still available from his son Martin Lewis. The original CW version was created by Nick Ruggiero and is effectively a mechanical version of the Germain idea. It is one of the most popular and enduring Collectors’ Workshop effects.
George Robinson, the owner of Collectors’ Workshop for almost 20 years, has taken Nick’s version and made it 100% hands free by adding a small matchbook size remote and a sophisticated base. The base now looks clean from all angles and to make the magic happen you simple push a button. The mechanism is quiet (from a few feet you can’t hear a thing as the video demonstrates), very reliable, and is easy to turn on and off. It is a delight to watch and operate.
The performer has two cards selected and replaced in the deck – there is no question the cards are placed in the center of the deck and well and truly lost. The deck is placed in a custom houlette which is then placed on a small wooden base and covered with a glass dome. The cards are shown with the faces toward the audience, completely isolated and impossible to touch. The whole affair is now covered with a silk hank.
The performer explains that, with proper concentration, the selected card can be made to travel horizontally through the deck and appear at its face. The first spectator is asked to concentrate on his card. The silk is snapped away from the dome: The selected card has moved horizontally to the front of the deck!
Now, the performer raises the stakes dramatically. Removing the cards from the houlette, he encircles the entire deck with an elastic band. The cards are set in the houlette and again the dome replaced and covered by the handkerchief. The second spectator concentrates: instantly, the silk is removed to show that the second chosen card has journeyed to the front of the deck even under these seemingly impossible conditions.
NOTE: No strings, wires, magnets; no difficult sleights; simply press a button. Comes complete with dome, base, custom houlette and regulation Poker Bicycle Cards. Detailed instructions.
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