Andy Martin

It is always a joy to add a new item from the wacky magic master himself: Chance Wolf at Wolf’s Magic. This is Chance’s take on the wonderful Owen’s Rabbit Rising Cards.  As cute as the original Owen’s was, there is no doubt Chance’s new version is even cuter and more adorable.

The method and set-up is very simple, and works perfectly.  As with all of Chance’s creation it is solidly made and with some basic care will last for years of performances.  Chance tries to scare you in the set-up video (don’t do this, don’t do that, and for heaven’s sake don’t press it here!), but I think once you have set this up once or twice you’ll be able to do it in your sleep 🙂

Chance also includes a great routine that will work well with children of all ages.  If I was performing children’s shows today this is precisely the sort of prop and routine I would look for.  Great job Chance.

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I’ve been buying custom close-up mats from Patt’s Matts for ten years and there is no one else who gets close 🙂  In fact I have purchased more than 20 mats from Patt.  I started with a replacement for my Jim Zee table, then a number of close-up tables and most recently I ordered nine different mats (three of each color) for the main tables/locations I use in the Porcupine for my world famous Speed Demos 🙂

The man behind Patt’s Mats is Pattrick Przysiecki.  Patt started in this space c. 1997 with his colleague Walter, and they built a small close-up table as a side business.  Then in 2000 they made their first mats from the Original material (hence the name) and although they stopped the table sideline in 2003, they have been making more and more mats ever since.  Including: custom sizes, folding mats, servantes, hard board mats, laced borders, carry cases, and other features that keen performers have requested.  All mats are 100% handmade in their Toledo workshop.

My early mats used the Original material, but I recently switched to the Plush Material in Burgundy, Forest Green and Deep Black. I much prefer the Plush material.  I also use custom Embroidery on all my mats now, and they look perfect.  I have also had mats with an integrated servante which work well but I found having a permanent servante for my uses in the Porcupine was overkill – so now when I need a servante, I just place one of my old mats with a servante beneath my new mats and they work great.  It is always nice to know you have options and if Patt doesn’t have something you are looking for available, he will often suggest a solution that will work.

What I like about Patt is he is a decent, honest craftsman who knows his trade and stands by everything he makes. His prices are fair and he is very reliable and delivers perfect mats on time, every-time.  Once you get your first mat from Patt’s Matts you’ll never go elsewhere 🙂

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This is another beautiful brass item from the craftsman Terry Roses. And as with Terry’s other brass collectible line it comes in a beautiful inlaid oak carrying case.  I think we’ve all seen these types of device in Professor Hoffmann, however I’m not sure how many of us have actually used one.  It really is a wonderful effect and there is nothing finer than Terry’s version. 

What is particularly neat about Terry’s version is you get to use the beautiful oak presentation case and it makes the routine basically automatic.  It certainly takes the heat off the presentation which is always nice 🙂

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Magiro invented this very clever effect c. 1999 and it was distributed by Eckhard Boettcher as Verbrecher-Würfel  (see the final photo to see one of the originals).  This improved version was released by Joe Long c. 2018 and crafted by his good friend and craftsman Paul Lembo.

Magiro has created a number of completely mind blowing effects where the audience are left wondering how on earth could that happen?  Items such as:

• Hydro Die
• The Witch’s Tunnel
• Babuska
• Anti Matter Generator
• Würfel-Mysterium
• and this item Prisoner Cube

all are very clever ideas that leave no clue as to how they could possibly performed.  Prisoner Cube fits nicely with these other effects and in fact I would say it is one of the easiest to perform.

Joe and Paul removed a few flaws in Magiro’s original design and now you have the perfected version.  It is surprisingly easy to perform too 🙂

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This is a very well made box with a clever method and it is easy to do.  It is best performed with people in front but it certainly does produce the effect that is advertised.  The problem that I have with the effect is that it is not really a penetration, but a transposition.  The block transposes itself onto the rod.  If it was a penetration you would move the rod down onto the block.  That does not happen.

If you look at the first video Rob gets closest to making the effect work, because the block stays in the same place – but to do Rob’s effect you have to use a ribbon instead of a rod.  I think this a method looking for an effect and I think it could have been better but I don’t think Magic Wagon really thought about what the actual effect was 🙁

But full marks for craftsmanship as we have come to expect from Magic Wagon.

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The Diabolitrick (Diabolitrik) was invented and made in a limited run by Don Potts c. 1960 and again in 1978. Bill Schmeelk at Wellington Enterprises took Don’s original idea and came up with this vastly improved version and called it the Diabolic Block Box. In particular, Bill addressed these shortcomings in the original design:

• The original effect was highly sensitive of angles – Bill has really streamlined these and now it is a joy to perform with very few angle issues.
• The tube to reproduce the die was too short and it was easy to flash the block prematurely.
• The solid block could not be freely handled by the spectator.
• The single front door meant you could not perform the standard byplay of showing the block having vanished from one side or the other.
• The front door could not be closed after the block had vanished

All of these issues have been resolved and improved and the new outfit is made better than ever and a thing of beauty.

This really is the perfect die box effect for all situations and I know you’ll love it 🙂

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Another perfectly crafted item from Magic Wagon which looks great and is relatively easy to do if a little fiddley. As far as an effect goes you can tell a lot but by how animated the vidoes are. This is the second effect in a row where Madison has not even bothered to speak … that pretty much tells you what he thinks of it … 🙂

I think the last two items for 2022 were not so great after a very strong year. Maybe it makes more sense to produce one a quarter and focus on quality effects instead of just well made boxes? Just a thought – Magic Wagon produce amazing items but they do need to entertain the audience too, so don’t forget the routines.

Click here for more information.

Another perfectly crafted item from Magic Wagon which looks great and is relatively easy to do if a little fiddley. As far as an effect goes you can tell a lot but by how animated the vidoes are. This is the second effect in a row where Madison has not even bothered to speak … that pretty much tells you what he thinks of it … 🙂

I think the last two items for 2022 were not so great after a very strong year. Maybe it makes more sense to produce one a quarter and focus on quality effects instead of just well made boxes? Just a thought – Magic Wagon produce amazing items but they do need to entertain the audience too, so don’t forget the routines.

Click here for more information.

This clever deck switch case was originally invented by Magiro and released by Eckhard Boettcher c. 1993 as “Kartenspiel Austauschkassette” (see final photo.).  This updated and improved version from the dynamic duo of Joe Long and Paul Lembo for their Limited Edition Magic line is a truly beautiful version and is my new favorite deck switch.  Previously I thought Heirloom Workbench’s Switch was the go-to high-end device, but that has all changed with this beauty.

A few points to notice:

• It works completely differently from any other deck switch device I have seen, thanks to the brilliant mind of Magiro  and impressive construction of Paul Lembo, and you no longer have to turn the whole box over.
• It looks like one of those high-end executive organizers and will look great in your office, magic den, living room, or in your local pub such as The Porcupine.
• You can place the case in front of the spectator at the beginning of the effect and perform the switch and at no time do you need to actually touch the cards, the spectator is free to remove them from the box themselves (as you hold the case in your hand and ask them to pull the tab and remove the deck).
• It can be performed almost silently right in front of them (I added a thin extra strip of felt to help here, but it can be achieved with the right touch without it).
• Did I mention it looks great in The Porcupine 🙂

A perfect utility item that I know you will love.  Thanks to Joe and Paul for continuing to track down these cool items from yesteryear and bring them up to date for a select few, this is wonderful addition to your range 🙂

Below is my routine which also makes use of the wonderful Thought Explosion Wallet.

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This is a great wallet invented by Billy McComb, released by Supreme Magic and manufactured by Roy Roth.  It was basically re-invented by Collectors’ Workshop as Any Card To Wallet about 15 years later, but this is the original.

This wallet is a perfect tool to create a complete miracle with Magiro’s Perfect Switch Case.

Click here for more information.