Reviews

Forty Years of Mini-Magic Mastery

I rarely get a chance to update my site these days, but I’ll always find time for my good friend Alan Warner. It is a special treat receiving a new item from Alan, and this particular item in celebration of forty years of Mini-Magic is extra special.

Forty years is a long time to stick to anything and I would like to say that Alan has just got better with age and experience. This new version of one of his earliest teak pieces is a beauty to behold. The mechanism is smoother than the original and works 100% of the time.

But there will only be 15 of these beauties created, so if you are thinking about it contact Alan now.

Highly Recommended for Collector’s everywhere.

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Another Dave Powell Beauty!

I’ve always been fascinated with nest of box effects, so it was pretty obvious I’d get this new item by Dave Powell. As usual with Dave’s work these boxes are beautiful. He’s thought through the routine and has a great approach for keeping everything in sight all along. The load is done under cover, but in plain sight. Having the extra heavy canvas bag is certainly a nice approach.

The only issue I have is that the photo’s on Dave’s website (and copied by most dealers) are somewhat deceiving. The effect does not come with a ball of wool or elastic bands. Also there is no tassel on the key. It is always disappointing when you pay a lot for an effect, but have to scramble around for extra relatively cheap items to actually use the effect. Dave’s items often appeal to collector’s and the last thing they want to do is take a trip to Michaels!

However, I purchased this item from Stevens Magic and Mark Stevens knows how to keep his customers happy. He added all the items to perform this effect right out of the box, just as it should have come from Dave. So thanks Mark, if you ask him nicely I’m sure he’ll do the same for you. There are few dealers left who care about you as much as Mark and Joe and his team. So support the good guys and purchase this from Stevens Magic, you won’t be disappointed in the product or the service!

Please note, after writing this review I heard back from Dave Powell and he is now including everything too. Thanks Dave, it is the little things that make all the difference!

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What A Rare Treat!

There is almost nothing quite like waking up Christmas morning to open a brand new trick crafted by my good friend George Robinson. This is a beautiful item put out in conjunction with The Trickery and I for one hope these guys continue to put out more jewels like this.

The effect is old and the last time I saw a similar one was in Alan Warner’s Enigmatic. However, I believe the principle is older than that. Howie, at The Trickery, had a cheaper version for years. This version has been improved not only in materials but also method with a neat extra addition that now makes the effect even more amazing.

In effect you show the audience two sets of five ESP chips and the magician places a chip inside the box face-down , followed by the spectator. The Magician always goes first. When all five chips have been replaced they are tipped out on the base and one by one are shown to match perfectly. The order can be different every time and although the trick is not self-working it is easy to do.

If this is how 2012 is going to continue we have some amazing treats in store.

Highly recommended for collector’s and close-up performers everywhere!

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Perfection Attained

I’ve owned four different versions of Hydro Die and I must say this recent creation from the Magic Wagon team is by far the best. It looks the most intriguing, is the most convincing, and operates the smoothest.

Magic Wagon have been around for about seven years and over that time they have created a very impressive collection of beautiful and functional magic. There are very few manufacturers who consistently create magic of this caliber and quality, just take a look at some of their best items.

Magic Wagon continue to create small runs of amazing magic, but they sell out quickly, so if you are looking for some amazing items keep an eye on their site.

Highly Recommended for Collector’s and Close-up Performers of miracles.

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Fine Quality Props and Great Idea!

I really like this effect from Mark Leveridge and beautifully manufactured by that master Chip guy Per Clausen.

In effect, you show two small brass screw top boxes: one with a silver colored top and base and the other with a red colored top and base. The spectator freely places her ring into the silver box, and you place a coin in the red box. Then without any tricky moves the ring and coin switch places.

This effect is easy to do with no complex sleights. However, it does require some practice to get the handling smooth and clean. But since it all looks above board you are not really under any heat at the moments of the moves. Long before the audience thinks the effect has happened you are left clean and smooth.

Due to the nature of the transposition, you could devise other uses for these boxes such as using the one ahead principle for predictions.

I think this is a winner from Mark Leveridge – check out his site, he has some very interesting effects just waiting to be discovered.

Highly Recommended!

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