Author: reviews

It’s Hard to Keep a Good Keith Down!

Even without the gaffs, this is a beautiful surface to perform on! The big question is: do you need this and the The Magic Box? Of course you do!

Now when you factor in the gaff action on this table you move into a whole new realm of why you need this baby! As usual from Keith and his craftsmen at Arlen Studio a very fine piece of magic and ingenuity. You can do everything and more that you can do with Dean Dill’s very nice Production Pad, plus a far superior version of David Regal’s There and Back, plus a whole lot more. And you look classy even in your boxers doing it!

I love it when I find new a craftsman out there, who just keep getting better! Arlen Studio is here to stay – watch this space for more very cool action from this new, but talented company!

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These Wands are Magical!

Well ever since Harry Potter I started to see more and more non-traditional wands (i.e. not black with white tips) show up on ebay and in the stores. Having a reasonable collection of wands I thought who needs another wand, whatever it looks like?

Well, when this wand arrived from those talented craftsmen at Arlen Studio, I was quite taken aback. It really is magical! With the extra gimmick it also has utility in addition to its beauty.

The Arlen line of magic is an acquired taste, but once you get to hold and play with their beautiful magic I think you will acquire it pretty quickly! Keep them coming keith!

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Authentic and Functional

The Flying Ring is one of my favorite effects. This set from those talented craftsmen at Arlen Studios is an authentic looking set, complete with impressive looking keys. It is meant to look like something your grandfather had, and although I never met my grandfather – I’m sure he could have had a set!

This set is particularly geared towards the walk-around performer and is quick to reset. The reel is smooth and quiet.

Arlen Studio are trying to make you feel special with special props and their is a good chance that if you practice that your audience will think you are special too!

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Now you can really do Aces and Silks!

The Aces and Silks effect, in either of its variations, is a wonderful creation from Arlen Studio. I was not fond of using the old pocket dodge to vanish the silk, and had already been using the card box that comes with CW’s Psychic Sword to effect the change.

Then along comes the Card and Silk Chest from Keith and his merry band of Craftsmen and you have a beautiful box that fits in very nicely with the props. It is perfect for this effect and many others.

Great job Keith – the line of Arlen Magic is growing nicely and I look forward to more special effects over the coming months!

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Ah my good Friend Alan Warner always shows me the money!

Finally, more quality from the marvellous Alan Warner! There have been many versions of the money maker, I have been parital to the Delben Blotter and of course Owen’s Denver Mint. However, Alan Warner in his usual imagintive style has taken a fairly simple effect made it look beautiful and added the double whammy of the note changing not once but twice. It works cleanly, of course, and is actually quite amazing how he gets the change to work twice without removing or stealing anything away. Very simple to do and a sheer delight to behold.

The Money Maker follows along the same lines of Alan’s recent works – more intricate detail to the boxes, bigger and more impressive teak work. Another winner from Mr. Warner.

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Wow this is so much better than I was expecting!

This is a very beautiful outfit. The props are amazing and the prediction is not only very clean and convincing the whole unit automatically resets. It’s perfect for the walk around performer and really adds a touch of class to your act.

This is one of those effects that just plays better and feels better when you actually have the props in hand. Another wonderful effect from those good guys at Arlen Studio.

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Still the best!

First there was the Mystery Box, then the Exotic Wood Mystery Box, and now the Collector’s Mystery box. You could say its a shame that the magic industry is so slow that one manufacturer puts out the exact same trick in 3 different versions. And of course you’d be right. But given that this is one of the best card effects of all time, I guess its not such a bad thing.

This is a very beautiful box. However, unless you are a collector or only appreciate the very best the magic industry has to offer I can see no reason why you would want this version over any of the other ones John creates. It is signifcanly nicer than the exotic wood versions, so if you are crazy like me it makes perfect sense to buy this. If you have missed out on one of the greatest tricks of all time then it might be worth your while getting the top of the line on this one. It won’t make the trick better – but the box really is a beauty!

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