Andy Martin

Wow! This is Amazing!

This effect is beautiful, clever, and convincing, but does require getting very comfortable with the method by practicing it enough so that it is automatic – it is not hard and the impact is so huge the effort is more than worth it. In fact the more convincing your presentational skills are the easier you will find this.

Once you get it smooth I defy you to find a more convincing piece of mentalism. Now factor in that it costs less than $50, packs flat and doesn’t need any pesky batteries (as so much "mentalism" does these days), you just can’t go wrong!

As for the method, you will just die when you see it – very clever indeed. I believe you can fool anyone who is not in the know with this. But you do need to spend a few hours so that it is second nature.

I am sure you will not be dissappointed with your small investment on this one.

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Loads of Shells, but quality is not Johnson!

These jumbo coins from Henry Evens are a little dissappointing. They look pretty good even close-up, but when you actually handle them they are only ok. The coins themselves could be a bit thicker and the stamps more central. The shells feel flimsy and although I’m quite sure they look superb in Mr. Evans’ hands I found them just a bit too light.

The instructions that come with the package are poorly printed and short. When you’re paying this much the least they could have done was throw in better instructions with some step by step photos.

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No new concepts here, but beautifully made all the same!

This is a dressed up version of an old principle that works very well. The block and cabinet are very solid and beatifully made. The doors are a bit too tight when you first get it but after a few practices this loosens up ok.

The effect is certainly easy to do and it is a real fooler. You simple show the cord running through the cube and box, then close it all up and on your command the cord penetrates the box, and everything can be examined.

Some good news: it doesn’t use any threads, there is nothing to switch, and reset takes about 10 seconds.

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Different from Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering, But More Practical!

Ok so if you have ever seen the Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering version of this effect you will at first be a bit disappointed. The Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering version is a faithful reproduction of the drawings in Hoffmann’s Modern Magic. It is smaller, particularly the tower the coin rises up on, and it is slightly better made. However, it is quite a big pain to set-up and how the coin rises behind the window can be seen in certain lighting conditions.

With the Mikame version, reset is much, much easier using a clockwork mechanism and the coin rises in broad daylight with no clue as to how even with bright lights shining on the tower. It is also wide enough so that the coin rises without touching the sides so it really does look like it is rising unaided.

The kicker of course is that when it gets to the top you hear it hit the top and then find it in the little box that is locked and on top. The coin can be signed if desired.

To the audience this Mikame version probably looks better and since it is much easier to reset, I believe it is more likely to be actually performed, rather than sitting on the shelf looking cool.

The collector will certainly prefer the Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering version, however if you really want to perform this more than once a year I think you are better off with the Mikame version. Although the craftsmanship doesn’t quite measure up to Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering Quality it is still a very nice piece and something you will be proud to own and perform.

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This Makes More Sense than a Niffen Tube!

So the problem with a Niffen Tube is that it’s a Niffen Tube – what the heck is one of those? This Cocktail Shaker on the other hand will pass for a real cocktail shaker and can be used to transform liquids, silks, or anything small that will fit in the tube. You could transform a red silk to red wine and many other combinations of transformations. I believe the transformation is also more convincing than a regular tube too.

This device is very nicely made using stainless steel and will last a life time. I found the screw on lids to not screw down all the way, but that looked like it was done by design.

This effect is made in Germany and is distributed by Viking Mfg and it’s ever growing dealer network.

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Osterlind rules!

I just love watching Richard Osterlind! With almost no special props he performs clean and incredibly powerful mentalism right before your very eyes. When he takes you through the explanations your respect for this man contines to grow. He just nails the effects with the simplest of methods and techniques.

The 2nd volume which is exclusively on his stacked deck (the Breakthrough Card System) is one of my favorites as he performs a whole act using the same stack each time, and each effect is wildy different. He also explains in detail the stack itself so you don’t even need to buy the book!

This is very practical mentalism from one of the best performers in the business. Highly recommended!

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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.

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Great trick but where have I seen that wallet before?

Ok, this effect is a fine effect using a very well made wallet that allows you to perform a very direct and simple think of any hour type effect.

But just in case you already have the Heirloom Wallet, think twice before you buy this effect since the wallet is almost exactly the same. In fact, either the same manufacturer made these and made a slight change to one pocket at the end, or this wallet was altered slightly for the Heirloom Wallet. You could certainly use the Heirloom Wallet for this effect, but it would be nice to have the specially printed (and laminated) cards.

This effect is not as strong as Heirloom primarily due to the presentation. Otherwise it is still a worth having, just don’t buy both wallets – unless like me you fancy doing an easy any card from wallet and purchase 4 wallets!!!

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Nice Brass Chips and Clean Prediction!

This effect is a clean prediction of any one of 5 colors. It’s not new as I’ve seen the principle used in other effects, but the chips are nicely made and it also comes with a presentation to perform it twice in one setting which does add a good twist to the routine.

If you like brass magic with no sleight of hand and a simple plot then this is a well priced effect for you!

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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.

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