4 Stars

Keep it up Arlen Studios!

I recieved an early one of these and was dissappointed because there was more glue than I felt was necessary around the base. I told Keith to get his act together – and he did. He rebuilt the unit and now they are glueless and actually even better looking!

I struggled with this effect at first because it talks about using the old top of pocket dodge to effect the switch of the cards and silk. Keith suggested a card box, but I couldn’t find one that worked well until I remembered the beautiful case that came with CW’s Psychic Sword. It was perfect.

So now you have a sweet miracle, that looks good, is easy to do and is surprising. The basic effect is that after choosing the red or green silk you cover the other chamber with the chosen silk, place 4 aces into the box or your pocket. And in a blink they change places – very cleanly and quite amazingly.

Great job Keith – and thanks for fixing the glue issues – Nick de Palma will be pleased you’re not trying to steal his trademark! Keep them coming please!

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Great presentation, just a tad messy!

This is a very nicely produced outfit from those nice people at Arlen Studios. The letter looks very authentic and the striking conculsion where you see a bloody hand print appear on the letter is very effective. At the appropriate venue I think this could really freak some people out!

However, like all tricks of this nature it is a bit messy, so won’t be on my top ten players, since I don’t like getting my hands dirty!

Keep the quality and innovation coming Keith.

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Cute and well made.

This is a very well made and beautiful box from Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering. Works real well too.

A card is chosen, the cards are placed in the houlette and then suddenly the chosen card jumps out!

Its easy to do, and what is cool is that although the box cannot be shown inside it can be shown all around and there is nothing to see. I have always liked the work of Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering, its a shame they are no longer around.

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Simple but effective!

This is a nice unknown manufacturer piece I just picked up from ebay. The tray does all the work and is nicely made and finished in wood.

Nothing too complex here and the switch is logically hidden by the pouring of the rings into the glass, for a surprise ending of the rings joining together to form a chain.

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Clever, Quiet and Different

This is a great gimmick that causes a spectator’s watch to move forward in time very quickly. The gimmick is almost totally silent and fits neatly into a card case.

I don’t know how this works, but it is very cool to watch! The only problem I’ve found with it is that the placement of the watch on the card case is important and if you don’t get it close enough to the center of the gimmick, nothing happens. And of course that is not as impressive!

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Easy and Mystifying

Bazar de Magia have a great line of magic, which for the most part, is good quality and a bit different. This effect is a real fooler, yet very easy todo – and takes almost no practice.

Basically, you can ask a spectator to name their favorite time. You then give them the hand and ask them to place it on the dial and spin it fast. When it stops it stops on their chosen number! It can be repeated with a different number too.

I think you could use this as a prediction effct if you combined it with Killing time.

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Always a winner and now close-up too!

I’ve been using my Card Duck for almost 30 years and it has proven to be one of my most enduring and entertaining routines.

This little guy from Collector’s Workshop is almost as easy to use, but its small for close-up performances too. Well made, good mechanism. A real hoot that ultimately depends on how much you put into the presentation.

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Sweet Surprise!

This is a clean effect with wonderful props. Five cards are shown four blank and a spot card. Also a piece of wood with 5 tacks embeded in it. You also show a cover with a large piece of wood going through it.

The piece of wood is shown to be clearly empty as is the cover. The wood with the tacks is held by a spectator under a hanky … then it happens. The card dissappears, a tack breaks off from the ones embedded in the wood, only to appear inside the cover.

Great magic.

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