Review by Andy Martin for The Seventh Key by David De-Val
5 out of 5
This is more like it!
There are way too many locks and key effects on the market. This one from David De-Val has gone straight to my favorite list because it is so clean.
It can be used to lock a ring on the hasp, a box, bag, etc. The genuine, heavy, brass padlock is made in England by Squire. Of course after showing only 1 of the 7 keys unlocks the padlock, the performer or spectator can always choose the correct key.
What makes this method so clean is that at no time whatsoever does the magician need to touch the padlock or keys – either during the testing phase or the final choice of the key that opens the padlock. Once the effect is over the magician does need to briefly touch the padlock to reset it – but this can be done after the performance or just in the process of handing the padlock out again (if desired).
There are also no external pins, magnets, batteries or gimmicks to worry about. Truly the best version of Annemann’s Seven Keys to Baldpate type effect that I have seen.
Review by Andy Martin for Cards for Dingle's Sympathetic 13 by Cards By Martin
5 out of 5
How does he do it?
I don’t know how CardsByMartin (Neil Lester) creates his double faced cards – but they are as good as factory printed cards, making them perfect for card effects relying on specially printed cards.
This effect by Derek Dingle is a wonderful effect and now I have the perfect cards for it, what is to hold me back!
You can find out more about card splitting here and details of this effect here.
Review by Andy Martin for Any Queen Called For by Harry Stanley, Ron MacMillan
5 out of 5
Better than Twisted Sisters!
This is one of my favorite packet tricks of all time! I got my original one from Ron MacMillan in the UK over twenty years ago. Recently, I managed to remake it in Bicycle stock using some cards from Daryl. To my mind it is more impressive than Twisted Sisters (which is a great trick too), and is particularly convincing if you perform it 3 times in a row.
Review by Andy Martin for Heirloom/Heirloom Wallet by Jamie Badman, Colin Miller, Alakazam Magic
5 out of 5
This is Wonderful Mentalism!
Heirloom is a wonderful piece of clean and easy mentalism based on Kenton Knepper’s Kolossal Killer. The presentation makes sense and if presented with a modicum of acting ability is not only plausible, but truly unnerving. It does not require any sleight of hand or moves, and is very clean to the audience.
In the original version of Heirloom, the creators (Jamie Badman and Colin Miller) say that you don’t need a "special" wallet for this effect. This might be true, but finding one that was easy to set-up and use was quite a task until the Heirloom Wallet came out. Now this wallet is not as slick as The Predator Wallet neither is the mechanics the same – but it is 5 times less money and really works well for this particular effect. The wallet is a bit larger than a normal hip wallet, but it is not too thick and compared with some wallets I’ve seen is fine. For the price it is impossible to beat! It certainly makes it easier to present Heirloom, without even thinking about it.
The basic effect of course is as simple as asking a spectator to think of any card, and showing a single photo in your wallet with their card on. But with the presentation included it adds a lot more to the impact on the audience.
I had just finished buying all the wallets I needed, until this effect and wallet came along. This one is also certainly a keeper!
Review by John W. Watson for Focus by Phil Goldstein
5 out of 5
Best of the Best USABLE packet effects!
We all know Phil Golstein for Monkey in the Middle, Mo’ Monte, and Shrinkhasen, to name a few. We also know that he doubles as Max Maven, world renowned Mentalist.
If you think you’re getting a book about packet tricks that only magicians will appreciate, think again! This book is chuck full of tricks for laymen, restaurant workers, bar magicians, close-up workers, etc.
One of the best parts of the book is the explanations. Golstein explains EVERYTHING in crystal clear detail.
The only thing he left out when writing this book is the effects that would get 9.5 stars instead of 10 out of 10. Yes, they are THAT good!
Review by Andy Martin for Miller Miracle Wallet by Ray Piatt
5 out of 5
Ok, so this is now my Favorite Wallet!
So almost 20 wallets is clearly too many, but 3 or 4 is perfect. I know what they are now. In first place would be this Miller Miracle Wallet. It is very well made, easy to use and very useful. It bascially is like a himber wallet but instead of two outs it has four. And they are so cleverly and cleanly concealed you could never guess. This wallet just makes sense to me.
In Second place, would be R. Paul Wilson’s The Predator. In Third Place, Larry Becker’s Versadex Wallet – there are times where this is just easier to use than The Predator. Finally, I want a long Himber Wallet to perform Xerox Money.
That’s it. If I had to choose just one wallet, then The Miller Miracle Wallet would be it since for most effects this will work perfectly. It will also turn so so effects into miracles, and without requring any undue practice or handling.
Review by George Guerra for Mystic Tubes of Sea-Ling by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Newton’s Nightmare OUTDONE!
Richard Gerlitz has the ability to study a standard effect or idea, see the potential, and take it to that next level. He embellishes it with markedly improved quality props and a patter that makes sense to the magic. He did this with an interesting effect called "Hydro Die". The method was a great concept but it just seemed awkward to have a die in a column of water. Richard re-invented this effect with the release of "Lead to Gold" and the result was entertaining and smooth flowing magic.
Well, Richard has done the same with "Newton’s Nightmare". This effect was released in a deluxe version by Wellington Enterprise, followed by a simpler cheap prop on the market. Both were made in aluminum. Paul Green also released "Field Sobriety Test" based on the same idea. Now, we have the Gerlitz touch and what I believe is the ultimate version of this effect.
First, the props are a joy. Two, not one, 6-inch solid brass tubes are used. The diameter is 5/8 inch and the wall thickness is over 1/16 inch around. These are definitely not flimsy metal tubes but hefty well-machined props. The tubes are polished and decorated with black banding at each end and a center Oriental dragon design as pictured. They are a beauty to own and use.
One always hears that presentation is the key to any magic performance. Well, Richard uses the idea of Ying and Yang, represented by each tube to validate the magic. Apart, the tubes are "normal" but bring the tubes together and in unity the magic occurs as the steel ball warps the law of gravity. I like the acrobatic interplay between the two tubes as shown on Richard’s video demonstration. The slow falling ball is "caught" in the second tube held below. The action is repeated several times, in a sort of a loop, with reversing the tubes till the performer eventually decides to catch the ball in the palm. Separate the tubes and gravity becomes normal again, the harmony of Ying and Yang broken. What a great routine! Here is another winner and probably the nicest of his "affordable" releases to date.
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