Review by George Guerra for Horizontal Card Rise by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Beautiful props and nice magic
This a very nice “rising card” effect where two chosen cards “rise” separately and horizontally through the deck to appear at its face. All done while the deck is under a glass dome inside a tumbler and all covered by a handkerchef. The method is great and the mechanics work smoothly. The version I own is an early model whereby the wood base is much thinner than the new ones and it’s done in beautifully finished black walnut. It’s a real attraction when displayed. One of my favorites of the CW line.
Review by Andy Martin for Psych-Out by Bruce Bernstein
5 out of 5
This is very strong indeed and easy to do!
This is a wonderfully strong and effective Poker Deal effect that is very easy to do, and each section of the routine leads to an even more imposible demonstration.
This is Bruce Bernstein at his best and I love it!
Review by ShadowMan for ESPecially WILD by Paul Hallas, Meir Yedid
5 out of 5
A tip for Performers
I have found that when you lay out the face up packet in a random order and then shuffle the face down packet, in addition to dealing it out in a random order, it helps sell the effect. Then the spectator cannot know the order of the face down cards and can concentrate on one while you remove all but one face up card. Then when there is a perfect match at the end it floors them. Not to mention the kicker after… Good luck and have fun with this one.
P.S. It would be great, and am note sure if there isn’t a way, to have a couple different ending cards for us restaurant workers.. (hint hint)
Review by Andy Martin for Khyber Raccoon by Collectors' Workshop
5 out of 5
Well you’ve got to love this little guy!
We all love the Khyber Kobra, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a one off such as the Khyber Chicken or now this new one that I recently acquired the Khyber Racoon. I’m not really a collector of one off Khyber Kobras, but now I have two of them!
I have to believe that there are some serious performance possiblities with a Raccoon and a Chicken. This little Raccoon of course works the same as the Khyber Kobra – since it is one, just with a different head. But the fun and byplay you can have with the raccoon seem to be much more than just with the snake.
I look forward to finding the time to routine this guy into my act at some point in the future
Review by Andy Martin for Little Bunny's Card Trick by Bill Goldman
5 out of 5
Entertainment doesn’t have to be expensive!
This is a great little book that looks just like a kids book and the routine is sure to please both young and old. It really is quite amazing how the little Bunny gets so much right about the distribution of the cards. With each page leading to a stronger impact!
Review by Andy Martin for Astro-Ball Cabinet by Milson-Worth
5 out of 5
I wish they were all so well made!
One of the nice things about Milson Worth is that you just know its going to be beautifully made!
This has always been one of my favorite effects: with the door closed the ball transports itself into the glass in the cleanest manner without any funny moves or covers. Although it is very simple out it works I think its a total fooler. You are left clean and the audience is left gawking. You can even hand everything out for examination.
Review by Andy Martin for Viper Pro by Terry Lunceford
5 out of 5
This is a riot!
I love this effect and routine. Plays really well, the audience has a riot and so does the magician! Check out the video to see how much fun it is! The other great snake in basket effect is of course: Khyber Chicken.
Review by Andy Martin for Vault Plus (Gold Plated) by Jay Leslie
5 out of 5
A real Fooler and Gold Plated too!
This is a variation on Bank Vault by chazpro. Uses a totally different method and will fool those in the know. Very beautifully gold plated by Jay Leslie.
Comes with an elohim ring, which in itself is a wonderful utility device.
Review by George Guerra for Copenetro (Early Original) by Bob Kline
5 out of 5
You can’t top this one
2 days ago I received from Kenna Thompson an original Kline model made in the 1950’s and after some minor buffing and two applications of hand rubbed Carnauba wax, I became so excited with this piece. I owned years ago a “later” model but it doesn’t come close to the quality of the original. The base is clearly, and deceptively, smaller in size especially the larger perimeter at the bottom. The top “flare” section of the base is beautifully turned with a nicer design than the later models. The “lip” at the top of the base where the inverted glass rest is larger causing a deeper recess to keep the glass more securely in place. BTW, the original glass is smaller and nicer designed than currently used; mine had a sort of lacy flowery etching around the the top half of the glass that lended a more gracefull look to the apparatus. The mechanics are also clearly better and sturdier from what I can remember from the model I had owned. The rich cherry wood used in these original pieces is gorgeous. The coin stand is much better than the current version; it’s appears rather “compact” and more difficult to believe it can hide 4 half dollars.
I have always loved this effect and always pursued any versions of it. I promptly bought CW’s Silver Odyssey when it came out. Bottom line: if you ever get a chance to buy a true original Kline, the earlier the model the better, do so and you will not regret it.
Review by Andy Martin for Beswitched by Arlen Studio
5 out of 5
It’s not about a single effect, but a family!
So this latest effect from those good guys over at Arlen Studios on its own might be nothing more than an intriguing puzzle – no matter how you dress it up, you’re just divining one out of two outcomes. Even if you do it multiple times, its never going to blow an audience away – well it might in Keith’s hands, but not mine.
However, that misses the point. What Arlen Studios are starting to achieve is a whole collection of good to excellent effects that have an old world feel and can lead to a very wonderful evening of entertainment if you play it right.
Just look at the array of props they now produce – even after you take out the tables and boxes – the line is really starting to gather speed and direction. I’m not giving 5 stars for this particular effect but for the line as a whole. Arlen Studios have found their own unique style. It is quite different from most of the other fine quality magic that is produced today – the wood he uses has a coarser, darker, sometimes uneven look. But I can get the traditional stuff from such craftsman as Alan Warner, George Robinson, or Mel Babcock. I want it to look different! Yes its an acquired taste – so is British Beer! But once you see all of his line together you can’t help but start to fall in love with it.
For me Arlen Studios will never replace Alan Warner – his magic is finer, more intricate, and probably cleverer in many cases. However, they have made some stirrings in my heart and head that make me want to devise an evenings entertainment where I travel back in time to an old medieval castle setting, carrying nothing more than a beautiful box under my arm, and not only entertain my audience with some engaging patter and mystical themes, but leave them with some sense that the magic was real.
For all of those magicians out there used to the standard look of magic props, maybe it is time to take the Arlen boys out for a test drive. I don’t think you will be dissappointed!
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