Review by Andy Martin for Smart-Design Okito Box (Stainless Steel) by Precision Magic Metals

Review by Andy Martin for Smart-Design Okito Box (Stainless Steel) by Precision Magic Metals
Review by Andy Martin for Smart-Design Okito Box (Stainless Steel) by Precision Magic Metals
5 out of 5

Wow, what a great looking and heavy Okito Box this is.  These were designed by H.J Elliot, the proprietor of Precision Magic Metals.   Very shiny and very solid.  It holds four Silver Morgan’s and other large silver dollars. It comes with a new move and some great photo illustrated instructions and if you like coin boxes you’ll have great fun playing with this bad boy.

I’m sure this box will outlive us all 🙂

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Review by Andy Martin for The Great Whytini by Wolf's Magic

Review by Andy Martin for The Great Whytini by Wolf's Magic
Review by Andy Martin for The Great Whytini by Wolf's Magic
5 out of 5

Here is another great kids effect from Chance Wolf complete with a wonderful routine ready to go written by Chance and Jimmy Vee.  The Great Whytini is a character created by Chance for his Surfs Shark line c. 2013.

The quality props are bright and colorful and easy to set-up and perform with.  The mechanism for the change works easily and you can focus on the fun routine.

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Review by Andy Martin for Holy Wood by Hanson Chien

Review by Andy Martin for Holy Wood by Hanson Chien
Review by Andy Martin for Holy Wood by Hanson Chien
5 out of 5

WOW is all I could say when I first received this 🙂

Not only is the gimmick perfect but Hanson has created the absolute perfect routine for this miracle.  No longer is the Matchbox Penetration just a puzzle, now there is a beginning, a middle, and a mind blowing end to the routine.

I keep very few new tricks these days, but boy am I going to keep this one. It works best if you perform a full deck card trick before it and then switch the decks as you are putting the cards away at the end of the effect.  Then bring out Holy Wood as an after thought to completely blow their world apart.  I’m going to tie this to Mystery Blox because there is plenty of cover at the end when people think it is all over as they see their signed card in lego blocks.  To then come back and do something even stronger will be perfect.

It looks amazingly clean and the reactions in the trailer are very accurate – what they see is a deck of cards, that is then fully penetrated even whilst held in their hands, and then without any moves they can’t push their card through anymore and finally they can open up the case and pull out the solid piece of wood.

I LOVE IT 🙂

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Review by Andy Martin for Blasted by Bob Swadling, Tannen's

Review by Andy Martin for Blasted by Bob Swadling, Tannen's
Review by Andy Martin for Blasted by Bob Swadling, Tannen's
5 out of 5

Blasted was by created by Bob Swadling and sold by Harry Stanley c. 1964. And it quickly became and hit around the world! Originally it was called The Swadling Swindle but it’s name changed to Blasted when it was marketed in the USA.

What I really like about this is if you perform it described in the instructions there are zero sleights.  It looks very effective and you just follow my video and you’ll wow them all. No funny moves at all – watch closely and be amazed 🙂

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Review by Andy Martin for Japanese Mirror Penetration (Gold Frame) by Howard Schwarzman

Review by Andy Martin for Japanese Mirror Penetration (Gold Frame) by Howard Schwarzman
Review by Andy Martin for Japanese Mirror Penetration (Gold Frame) by Howard Schwarzman
5 out of 5

This is probably the most sought after effect from Howie’s Limited Editions line of magic back in the 1980’s and 1990’s and which was subsequently purchased by Hank Lee c. 1995.  This mirror came in an Oak frame and this one, a Gold frame.  With the exception of the finish there is no other difference between the two versions.

The invisible motion of the silk when you walk away from the frame does not use any threads and is a great extra feature that really flaws them.

When practicing this for an upcoming Speed Demo I found adding some felt to the stand to secure the frame when pushing items through and also adding some felt feet to the bottom of the stand made performing this significantly easier and more effective.

It is an impressive item that when performed with a clean mirror and correct light looks totally amazing.

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Review by Andy Martin for Royal Robbery by Harry Stanley, Arthur Leo

Review by Andy Martin for Royal Robbery by Harry Stanley, Arthur Leo
Review by Andy Martin for Royal Robbery by Harry Stanley, Arthur Leo
5 out of 5

This effect and method was invented by George Lorimer and published in the British monthly periodical The Magician Monthly as The Crown Jewels of Crashbania and subtitled: A Regular Royal Robbery (pg. 72, May, 1928).  Lorimer’s routine had quite a lot more going on than the eventual dealer versions including: changing the large rubies into a shower of smaller rubies, a British flag to cover the crown, the production of some large silks, and a cage complete with Canary 🙂

However, the key methods of the rubies appearing in the crown and vanishing from the presentation case are used in both dealer versions I have seen.  The first dealer version that I am aware of was this one by Harry Stanley c. 1953 as Royal Robbery and routined by Arthur Leo. Supreme Magic released there version later and is discussed here.

Although this prop is about seventy years old it looks a lot more regal than the later released Supreme versions.  The crown is much  more intricate, with 3D Rubies, a blue velvety material embedded in parts of the crown and other gems painted on. If you look at the final photo where I put the crows side to side – there is no question which one looks more like a real crown.  This version also features four gems at two different levels which makes for a more interesting (and harder to achieve) appearance.  The jewel box also is more regal with a crown motif added to the top.  One final difference is the crown has an integrated stand that closes flat which is significantly more stable than the small stand used for the Supreme version.

This is a great routine for the younger children and will entertain them and they will have plenty of fun along the way.  It is very topical right now with the Coronation of King Charles III 🙂

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Review by Andy Martin for Fire Proof by El Duco's Magic

Review by Andy Martin for Fire Proof by El Duco's Magic
Review by Andy Martin for Fire Proof by El Duco's Magic
5 out of 5

This is a great effect created by El Duco c. 1979. You do not have to use a cigarette to burn the hole but you could use a pencil or pen. I found a fake cigarette that has a sharp tip which is perfect for the effect so I included that.

This is one of those effects you have to do to see how good it is. The method is simple but very effective. I think if you try this you will be very pleased with it. You can even borrow a bill and everything can be examined at the end.

This effect was so popular it was “re-invented” by Supreme Magic as “Burn-Thru” c. 1984. Looking at the advert it looks like Supreme made an almost exact copy of El Duco’s which pretty much rules out independent invention.

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Review by Andy Martin for Perfect Fire Wallet by Victor Voitko

Review by Andy Martin for Perfect Fire Wallet by Victor Voitko
Review by Andy Martin for Perfect Fire Wallet by Victor Voitko
5 out of 5

This is without doubt the easiest and most reliable Fire Wallet I have used. It is a simple push button and in my tests does work every time. It is also meant to “hold the juice” for 24 hours. I have not gone that long but it does seem to protect the lighter fuel from most evaporation.

It also has a second flap so you can clearly show the wallet filled with cash or a cute flying butterfly also included.

If you’re looking for a fire wallet that is reliable and does not rip your thumb up, this is the way to go.

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Review by Andy Martin for Magiro's Miracle Silk Transposition (1 of 12) by Limited Edition Magic, Magiro

Review by Andy Martin for Magiro's Miracle Silk Transposition (1 of 12) by Limited Edition Magic, Magiro
Review by Andy Martin for Magiro's Miracle Silk Transposition (1 of 12) by Limited Edition Magic, Magiro
5 out of 5

Joe Long and Paul Lembo did an amazing job when they tackled this wonderful rare item created by Magiro c. 1996.  It was originally called Glasklare Wanderung and was sold exclusively by Eckhard Boettcher in Germany. The effect has it all:

  • Colorful and Interesting Props.
  • Some great comedy byplay.
  • A killer finale that will amaze lay people and magicians alike.
  • It is also easy to perform and reset is instant 🙂

As shipped from Joe this comes with everything but the cover required to perform the magic (pretty much any piece of cardboard or heavier cloth can be used).  When I was playing with this I realized a French flag would be perfect for this purpose.  The flag has blue and red at the ends and so you can use it to not only cover the stand and glasses but also to remind the spectator where the red and blue silks are located.  Believe me as you get older these mental cues are really helpful.

This is one of the best items that Joe has released and there are only 12 of them so these will certainly become more collectible over time.  Great job Joe and Paul 🙂

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Review by Andy Martin for Five Thoughts Ahead (+Bogey) by Peter Warlock, Harry Stanley

Review by Andy Martin for Five Thoughts Ahead (+Bogey) by Peter Warlock, Harry Stanley
Review by Andy Martin for Five Thoughts Ahead (+Bogey) by Peter Warlock, Harry Stanley
5 out of 5

This clever mechanical slate was created by the prolific British magician, author, and inventor Peter Warlock. It was released by Harry Stanley c. 1956 and then reissued by Supreme Magic c. 1978. This is the original version sold by Harry Stanley and it looks and works perfectly.

There are two phases to the effect: the selection of a four digit number and then the further selection of one of those final digits – all of this is predicted in advance of the actions happening and it looks quite amazing. Hence “Five” Thoughts Ahead 🙂

The weakest part in the original routine as supplied is the selection of the four numbers does not use a gimmicked add-a-number device.  Over the years there have been a few devised but one of the very best is the Bogey by Ray Piatt and Larry Becker:

The Bogey by Ray Piatt, Larry Becker

So to do justice to this clever slate you should best combine it with The Bogey – then you have the perfect complement of two devices to produce a truly impressive feat of mentalism. And of course I provide both devices for completeness 🙂

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