Andy Martin

0ne Packet, Two Packets, Six Packets … Jerry has them all!

I love Jerry’s leather work, absolutely love it! I also have a fondness for the odd packet trick and storing them is sometimes a challenge. This particular Double packet Trick Holder is perfect for those times when you have two packet tricks that you do one after the other.

It works the way it should, and of course it does – it is an O’Connell!

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The Wallets to Beat!

Jerry’s line of leather wallets are so fine it is hard not just to buy everything he makes. I first purchased the larger No-Palm Wallet that Jerry produces – which I love, but sometimes you need that slightly smaller wallet and so Jerry has one just for that occaision.

The action on both No-Palms is perfect and if you ever wanted to do a card to wallet type effect, but were nervous, with Jerry’s system you can’t fail.

I think the Grand Canyon is awesome and the use of the word for normal things is way too abused, but sometimes when I look at Jerry’s leather work I do feel a sense of awe!

Most highly recommended!

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This is one of Mikame’s Finest!

This is a very well made chest for switching cards, billets, business cards, and other small thin items. It’s primary unique feature is that the gimmick does not operate until you press the secret release – this means that you can have a spectator freely open and close it and nothing will happen until you are ready. The gimmick operates very well and is pretty much invisible.

It also looks very nice and is a pleasure to operate. Of course Mikame are not the first to have a card box like this and in fact Viking/Collector’s Workshop have two devices that are actually better in some circumstances.

Chameleon Chest which has a larger load area and is used very much to switch billets. Unfortunately, you cannot give it out for examination – normal handling is ok, but you have to watch the spectator. The Chameleon Chest also comes with some very wonderful routines by Larry Becker.

Psychic Sword – this box is actually closest to the features of the Mikame Changing Chest, in that it has a locking mechanism such that the box can be opened and closed before operating the gimmick. The mechanism is well hidden, but not secret and the gimmick could be operated almost without a spectator knowing it. Probably unlikely, but certainly not impossible. The Mikame one is secret and could not operate without knowing the secret.

So which one do you choose? Well I guess I would choose Chameleon Chest first, then Psychic Sword, then the Mikame one. However, having all three is a perfect solution and you will find times when each one proves useful!

Highly Recommended!

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Mini Magic Marvel!

Chance Wolf continues to keep all the mini-magic guys very, very happy with his latest creation. This finger chopper really is a beauty to behold. Very solid construction, beautiful finish, perfect mechanism, and great value.

Chance should actually consider making a full-size one in exactly the same style as it really is a nice version of the French Arm Chopper. Of course he should only do this as long as it does not stop him making his next mini-magic item …

Now as wonderful as this chopper is – and it truly is – I was not sure how convincing an illusion it is. With the standard sized French Arm Chopper the illusion of the hand falling off is very convincing. However, with this mini version I was not so sure. After reading the instructions some more and a quick email to speedy response Chance I have my answer.  As long as you do it quickly the illusion is perfect! Come on don’t be shy, just give it a  hard strike!  The great thing about Chance’s props is that they are designed to be handled in the real world, and this baby can certainly handle some rough handling!

A good online video, that Chance does so well, of the effect in action would also help. In fact, there are some details in the great routine that is included that suggests the illusion is very effective.

Either way, Chance has another winner on his hands. Keep them coming Wolf Man!

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The Best Diary Trick!

I have perfomed Bob Cassidy’s Chronologue for years and really like it. This is my version using one deck of cards and one diary – both of which are placed in front of the audience before you commence the effect.

I use these 1864 Poker cards in the patter and they add some interest to the effect as you talk about the ancient connection between cards and the calendar.

What I really like about my version is that it has zero reset, a different card can be chosen (almost) everytime and there is only one diary, only one deck, no force, no memory work, one simple calcuation, and everything is on view to begin with.

My method is based on combining ideas of Bob Cassidy, Ted Annemann, and Eddie Joseph.

This is my new favorite opening effect and because it allows for a large number of cards to be chosen freely and requires no reset it is perfect for strolling magic situations where people talk about effects amongst each other!

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Even Better Second Time Around!

George Robinson continues to surprise me. When I received my first original CW version of Creation back in 2002 I thought it was an amazing effect and a collector’s dream: very clever mechanism, small, no reset, and absolutely stunning impact on the audience. This new version is all of that and more. George has gone to the trouble to plate the cage in 24K gold so now none of the solder marks can be seen and the cage now really looks stunning.

If you look at the Viking site you can clearly see the difference – my photos are not so clear 🙁

I have found over the last couple of years that I have re-bought a number of effects and in many cases have been happier with the newer version. When it comes to Collector’s Workshop, every single piece that George has rebuilt has been better than the original. This jewel of the whole CW line is more incredible than ever. I know George has limited supplies so I suggest you stampede over to his site to get this beautiful Creation. If you ever want to see the look of utter disbelief on a spectator this is certainly one way to achieve it.

Most highly recommended – get it now!

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Finest Quality Magic Wallet

If you have read my reviews over the years you’ll notice I have an affection towards magic wallets. What can I say I am just intrigued by all the styles. However, what has become clear to me is that there isn’t any one wallet that will do all things you need. I have given up saying "This is my new favorite wallet", because invariably it changes with my next wallet. What I have decided is that if you like wallets there are a number of very fine wallets on the market that each do something unique. There are also many bad wallets on the market.

My current favorite is still the Horwitz Wallet. However, when it comes to craftsmanship and quality it is hard to beat the beautiful work of Jerry O’Connell. I use his No-Palm Wallet in conjunction with Doc Dixon’s incredible Carpe Cajones. Now for this effect, the O’Connell wallet is just perfect. No other wallet I own does the job better, and certainly no wallet is made better. I will be buying quite a few more of Jerry’s wallets over the next few weeks as they are clearly in a class of their own. Jerry is also a great guy and he has a very fast turn around, so if you are looking for a particular wallet I suggest you contact him Jerry’s leather craftsmanship is beautiful and highly recommended!

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Wonderful Tommy!

I only recently started looking at Tommy Wonder’s beautiful magic and this is one of the first effects that really caught my eye from his 3 DVD set. There will be more that I tackle, but they all take time!

The premise is wonderful: instead of the Magician getting all the Glory wouldn’t it be nice if the Spectator could get some Glory? You betcha! The idea is that you are going to place a card down on the table and the spectator is to guess what the card is. If he is correct he gets the Glory, if not the Shame!

But to make it a bit easier on the Spectator you give them the choice of two cards and a booby prize of $40 if he fails. Now it is getting interesting. They then proceed to name the card, get the Glory, and you keep the money! Every element of this effect is beautifully routined and it is certainly in the reach of mere mortals. Of course it is a wonder in Tommy’s hands but even in normal hands this effect is a real fooler. It is very clean and very entertaining.

Stunning, Clean and Easy reset too!

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Comedy and Quality!

If you are familiar with the books published by Todd Karr’s Miracle Factory then you will not be surprised by the quality of this effect from Black Rabbit Magic. Black Rabbit Magic is a division of Miracle Factory and I hope that this first effect out of their stable is just one of many. The paintings are beautiful, the instruction booklet is clear and very well produced and the portfolio brings it all together. This is very much a quality job from start to finish. For this particular effect having such a good production really helps sell it.

Now of course where would we be without some Comedy too? The standard McCombical Deck has always been a riot in the right hands, and this effect has all the same potential as the normal deck. It is perfect for stage as the size of the paintings is a whopping 11×14 inches. One of the things that makes this play so well is that due to the classy production of the props the audience is more likely to believe that the Magician has actually made a mistake, which of course makes the climax so much more fun!

The method is different from the standard McCombical Deck, and works really well. Set-up is a snap and you’re always ready to pull out the portfolio. Due to the size of the paintings this is best suited for parlour or stage work as opposed to close-up.

If you want to add some class and comedy to your act then this is certainly the prop for you!

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My favorite Mind Blowing Card Effect!

When Paul Richard’s over at Elmwood Magic first told me about Doc Dixon’s effect: Carpe Cajones, I was very impressed. The idea was one of the best I had ever heard of, very clever – but so simple too! Unfortunately, I got hung up on the mechanics a bit, and it took me some time to really come to terms with how easy it really was.

After, more coaching from Paul and rereading the effect in Doc Dixon’s amazing book: Everything is Funnier with Monkeys, it finally dawned on me that I was way too worried about the one move that is needed. Once, I changed my performance to account for this, everything fell into place. Now, this is easily my favorite card effect and it is so mind blowing it hurts. The effect becomes almost self-working if you use Jerry O’Connell’s No-Palm Wallet, which is a wonderful utility item too!

The basic effect is one of a triple prediction but it is so strong and clean you really will believe in miracles. The idea also has very real potential to be used for other types of predictions. If you like things like Paul Harris’s Deep Astonishment you really will love Carpe Cajones.

Carpe Cajones – not just a great name – an incredible reputation making miracle! Highly, Highly, Recommended!

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