ITR 2000 Boss by Sorcery Manufacturing

Effect: If you know what an ITR is, keep reading. If you don’t, I suggest skipping this review because I will not be discussing in detail the nature or working of the gimmick other than is necessary for distinguishing this ITR from others. When I first saw the new ITR2001 Boss I was pretty excited. I don’t do a lot of thread work but when I do, I want to make sure my gimmick (ITR) is going to work correctly. I currently use and older Micro ITR from Sorcery Manufacturing and have had not problems. I figured this newer model had to be better. Guess I was wrong. Other than a new lower price, the ITR2001 is an example of over engineering.

The ITR2001 Boss is the same size as the original Boss. At first glance not much has changed. A closer look reveals a newly designed two piece injection molded tube. This tube is said to be unbreakable ( I did not put it to a large amount of abuse). In theory, the two piece tube makes the ITR2001 easier to maintain and repair. The model I was given to review was in need of a new threading as it had been broken in a magic store demonstration. I easily separated the tubes pieces and removed a very small bead. This bead is used to keep the thread from retracting all the way inside the ITR with only a small amount of was on the end of the thread. I proceeded to drop the bead trying to get the end of the IT thru it. After a few minutes of searching the shag carpet for it, I had a second go at it. I got the thread thru but as I was closing the case, the bead slipped back of the end and was lost permanently in the shag. (It could be in the fur of one large Chow/Lab who was resting at my feet. He claims he is innocent but I think otherwise.) I put the ITR back together without the bead and forged ahead.

I found the retraction to be slow. I was able to get a lot of distance out of the unit but wasn’t comfortable in the speed at which I could ditch the thread. I may have been due to the missing bead but I believe the thread was running without any catches.

The ITR2000 is quiet, allows for great distance and changing reels should be easy. My old model is all of this too. The greatest benefit is the reduced price. Everyone should have an ITR and learn how to use it. It just seems Sorcery has tried to get too fancy with this one. If you have never “sucked some thread” before a show, you are missing a great thrill of magic. I am sticking with my old trusty Micro ITR.

(R. Shane – The Online Journal of the Art of Magic, for the year 2000)

Text Source: lybrary.com – click for details

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