Reviews

Perfect and Heavy Duty!

I’ve owned four and sold three of these and for the first time this weekend actually performed it to my family. They loved it! I think this item is misunderstood by some (myself included), and hence it doesn’t always get the best reviews. It works nothing like Anverdi’s Enchanted Ring, although the effect to the lay person is similar. I think this is why some people have a problem with it – they are using it in the same way as the Anverdi item. Performed correctly I actually think it is cleaner and more effective than the Enchanted Ring. Although I did not think this when I first purchased it – partly because I was expecting the same method.

I think it is an amazing penetration and is easier to perform than some think if you hold it correctly and perform t in your hands rather than leaving it on the table. There are some angle issues and it works best for people in front of you, but with some minor motion you can quite easily perform it with a bigger crowd. What I do is walk on holding the unit by the ring with the stand and sword in place. Showing it all round so they can clearly see that the ring is attached. I quickly dismantle the 3 pieces placing each item on to the spectator’s outstretched hands. Although the sword is gimmicked it doesn’t look like it and will stand-up to normal touch. By placing all the items into both of their outstretched hands they get a sense of how clean (and heavy duty) the items are. A non-gimmicked sword comes with the trick, but frankly I don’t see the use for it since it adds a switch to the routine and is just not necessary.

Now you cleanly place the ring in the base, and secure it with the sword as you were when you started. Hold it by the long part of the sword with the hilt facing them and tug on the ring – they can tug too – so it is clearly impossible to get the ring off. At this point you can show the ring and base all around. When you are about to do the deed, just point the hilt towards them up close and ask them to blow on the ring, and as you tilt it upwards towards them it is easy to do the move, and pull the ring off. In fact I have pulled the ring off shown everything clean, and then put the ring back on. Each time they have been totally unsuspecting of the method.

I really love this item now! And it resets automatically too. This is a keeper for sure.

The only issue with it for walk around is that it is quite heavy rolling in at 11oz. That is quite a weight to be slopping around in your pocket.

Highly recommend for Collectors and Close-up Performers.

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Finally a Cube A Libre that you’ll use!

I’ve owned a number of Cube-a-Libre’s over the years. The biggest problem with the basic trick is there are just too many blocks which takes a long time to perform and gets too confusing for the spectators to follow. Harries’ solution to the problem was to just have one set of 4 blocks with their Crazy Cubes. That was a nice approach, but I love what Gimpy has done with his Demi Cube.

Firstly, they are made perfectly. The blocks and cover are made of wood and the gimmicks are metal. Each gimmick is covered with flocking material and the base of each cube is too to minimize noise and scratching. Great idea #1.

Secondly, there are only three cubes in each stack – this is much easier to follow, still very magical, and easier to learn and perform. Great idea #2.

Finally, the tube is gimmicked in such away that you can lift up the tube with the gimmicks contained hands free. Once the mechanism is activated the gimmicks are safely locked into place until you free them – this makes the moves much more natural. Great ideas #3.

I buy a lot of magic and keep less than 10% of all magic I purchase – but I love this item so much, I’ll be keeping in my collection for now. It is beautiful, practical, and amazing!

Thanks Gimpy! Looking forward to your next release!

Highly Recommended for Collector’s and Performers.

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Dave Powell is on a roll!

Dave Powell is really hitting home runs with his current focus of small runs of amazing classic and collectible magic. I’ve always admired Dave’s work, and it is nice to see him producing new items every few months that maintain his usual high standards, but still give the Collector something to buy.

This is a beautiful watch box (like a large lippincott really) and it works as smoothly as it looks.

Highly Recommended for lovers of fine props.

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Another Great Collectable from Dave Powell!

Dave Powell knows how to keep the Collector’s happy – produce new items often, be innovative, maintain the quality, and keep the price right too. He is succeeding on all counts.

The Steel Ball is heavy and solid and yet it still goes through the glass. This item has angle issues for sure, as do all the items based on the old Cabala and Coin of the Realm, but if you perform this to a couple of people you’ll fry them.

This item looks and feels amazing too! I’m excited to see what Dave will crank out in 2011.

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A Beautiful and Practical Ring Grinder

I love Dave Powell’s new Ring Grinder!

It is not quite as pretty as the beautiful Deluxe Ring Grinder released by my good friend George Robinson, but I slightly prefer Dave’s one. It is small, makes a great sound and has a rattle box feature (like George’s) that permits the ring to disappear whilst in their hands if so desired.

I’m not sure what Dave is drinking over in California but it is great to see him producing so much great quality and collectible magic. I know he is working on a new website so one can only assume in 2011 he will be continuing to create some wonderful magic!

Keep them coming Dave!

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The Best Sand Frame I’ve Seen!

Wow what a beauty this Sand Frame is built by the always amazing Bob Kline. Not only is the frame beautifully made, but the speed with which the sand disappears is almost fast enough to make this a visual appearance. In addition, the sand matches very closely to the back-drop so there are no visual clues.

They certainly don’t make them like this anymore!

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Clever, Intricate, and Beautiful

Joe Stevens’ has a secret weapon and it is the amazing craftsmanship of Louis Gaynor. What a wonderful little box (2.5 inches square) this is. When it is opened it looks very innocent. But amazingly without any funny moves you can produce 4 single half dollars, followed by a climax of 4 more. I have never seen anything quite like this little box. And it is made with very fine tolerances. A lovely example of intricate prop magic.

Perfect for collector’s and performers too.

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Just Beautiful.

Michael Baker has produced a real beauty with this item. It is not a new idea, but he has really outdone himself with the finish on these tubes. Who says magic craftsmanship is dead? Joe Steven’s seems to find them falling all over themselves!

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Nick Wenger has the Midas Touch!

Wow what a beauty this is. It is only the second item I’ve purchased from Nick Wenger, but boy is it special. Everything he touches certainly turns to gold!

I love Terry Lunceford’s Viper Pro. But Shake ‘n’ Snake is so much better in entertainment, look, and, of course, manufacture. When it comes to modern day electronics it is hard to find anyone who does a better job than Mr. Wenger (although Soren Harbo at Labco Magic does spring to mind).

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 jar Mr. Wenger uses is much more substantial than the Viper Pro and looks more realistic and professional. 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.

I must admit however, that I prefer the snake that comes with the Viper Pro II – the one supplied by Mr. Wenger looks a bit more unrealistic. It probably makes no difference whatsoever to the audience, but I certainly prefer the look of the Viper Pro snake. I think this is probably a personal choice thing and has nothing to do with the manufacturing of the snake, just the final look.

Highly Recommended for magical entertainers and collectors everywhere!

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