Review of The Regal Ring Chain

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

I have always been a sucker for rings/ coins to impossible places. I have plenty of ring flights, reeled and non-reel versions, nested box, nested wallets, the list goes on. My last purchase for a ring flight was Nicholas Einhorn’s Pro-Flite which was very good.

When David Regal’s Ring Chain came out, being a ring flight junkie, naturally, I have to own it. And I’m glad I bought it. Though this item is a bit pricey at a retail price of US$69, I still think it is worth it.

The effect is basically a vanished ring appears threaded on the chain you are wearing around your neck. The chain is kinda thick and looks masculine, so no problem for male performers. You can wear the chain without any hindrance. The length of the chain is just nice and it stays hidden when you wear them inside your shirt. There are no clothing restrictions, thus you can perform the effect in any clothing. The chain is made of good quality stainless steel and will last you a long time. There are no mechanical parts and the construction of the chain makes performing the effect a breeze. The only difficulty which some people may face is the way to vanish the ring. It will take a while to make the vanish look smooth but any vanish will do, a simple fake put will do the job.

Usually, when I buy something, I will keep the box in case I want to sell it later. For the Regal Chain, I threw away the box as I am very confident I will never part with it. In fact, I am thinking of getting a spare one. If you are on the fence for this item, I’d say go ahead and get it. If you don’t own any ring flight, it’s time to get one, The Regal Ring Chain is a good one to start with. Highly recommended!

Rating 4/5.

 

Review of Notion (DVD and Gimmick) by Harry Monk and Titanas

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

You will get 2 sets of cards for your close up performance as well as your parlor/stage performance. In order to perform this, you will need to set up a deck and you can’t use this deck for your other routines if you want to continue to perform Notion. You may have to do some fishing once in awhile. But the effect is generally very easy to perform.

While I must admit this effect is very clever, I don’t see the effect making any sense. Why let someone choose a card from some photos and then use a deck to reveal the chosen card? Having said that, the effect looks good when performed for a group of 4.

I was not very impressed by this effect but I like the MO, the method is clever but the effect is not really hard hitting.

Rating 3/5.

Review of The Newsletter Tricks (Book and DVD, Regular Edition) by Mathieu Bich

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

Learning magic is made so easy nowadays. Unlike the olden days with books or VHS tapes. I remember I use to watch a tape and rewind several times to watch it again. With modern technology, learning from DVD is so much easier. Mathieu Bich has included both the DVD and the book in this package. It’ll definitely satisfy the book lover as well as the DVD lover. The DVD shows the performance part and the book will explain the modus operandi.

Unlike the recent trend of “single trick DVD”, there are a total of 17 effects in this book/DVD. Of the 17 effects, 10 effects were published sometime back for those who register on his website. Each of these 10 effects was free at that time and was only available for 2 to 4 months each time. The next 5 effects were specially included for this project and the last 2 are Easter eggs which can be found easily.  All the effects are explained in the DVD except for the Easter egg bonus effects. You will need to email Mathieu BIch with a special subject in order to get the explanations for the bonus effect.

All the effects involved cards and you will need to make some gimmicks for the effect to work. The gimmicks are very easy to make and you will find all the necessary items around your house. There is a lot of “sandwich” type of effects here, none of them are the same and each of them looks as stunning as the other. All of them very clever too! Mathieu Bich is a very clever person to be able to come out with such effects using simple objects.

I was watching the performance on the DVD and from time to time, I need to pause it and look at the book for answers as I couldn’t figure out how it was done. It feels so good to be fooled! These are very short effects which I think you can add to other effects for a longer routine.

You get 17 effects for the price of 1. What are you waiting for? Highly recommended! Rating 4.5/5

 

Review of The Real Man’s Wallet VS JOL Bill Fold Wallet

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

First of all, the price, Real Man’s Wallet (RMW) retails at US$39.95 while the JOL’s Billfold Wallet (BFW) retails at US$75. There is a huge price difference but for good reason, JOL has been known as the “Rolls Royce” of wallets. The workmanship for JOL’s wallet is top notch. RMW though cheaper, the quality is not as good as the BFW.

In terms of effect, both are similar but at the same time different.

For RMW, you will need to use a card as a guide to load, BFW doesn’t need a guide.

RMW’s loading is from the inside of the wallet while BFW is from the outside.

RMW’s appearance of the signed card is in the clear ID space.

BFW’s appearance of the signed card is in the zipper compartment.

A side by side comparison.

Each wallet has its own pros and cons.

Real Man Wallet

Pros

I like the size of this wallet, not too big, not too small. The appearance of the card at the clear space seems impossible.

Cons

What I don’t like about this wallet is that there are very little slots for your cards. When you want to use this for your card to wallet, you will need to set-up the guide first. The quality of the wallet can be a little better.

Bill Fold Wallet

Pros

This wallet has plenty of slots for you cards. The appearance of the card from the zipper compartment makes the effect seems impossible.  There is no get ready for the wallet. As you don’t need a guide for the loading, you can perform this anytime without prior set-up. Build quality is top notch.

Cons

What I don’t like about this wallet is the size is slightly bulky for my taste. It doesn’t have a separator in the bill compartment.

In the end, I chose the RMW as my everyday wallet due to the size as well as the additional separator in the bill compartment. These are important points in making my decision. However, my decision doesn’t mean that RMW is a better wallet. In terms of effect, I still prefer BFW, being easier to load and no set-up required. Most of you know that I seldom do card magic, so why do I buy a card to wallet? Well, my primary use is for a signed coin or ring to wallet. Yes, these wallets can be used for rings and coins too.  I figured that my current wallet is time for a replacement, why not have a wallet that can be used for magic?

So, which wallet is for you? You’ll have to decide this yourself, I wish there is a wallet with the size of the RMW but the functions of a BFW. There are many wallets out there; I shall continue my quest for the perfect wallet.

Rating for both wallets  = 80%

 

Review of Humbug (Blue Card with DVD) by Angleo Carbone

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

Simple gimmick that does the entire job for you. When I first got my hands on the gimmick, I didn’t really know what it was, upon prying further, I begin to have an idea of what it does. After watching the DVD, I now fully comprehend what it does.

This is a fun effect with a simple but effective gimmick. Angeleo Carbone always impresses me with his inventions, especially those that were made by Tenyo. You’d probably be disappointed if you expect mechanical parts in this gimmick as there isn’t any.

The DVD clearly explains what the gimmick does and how to go about performing the routine. The main routine itself is very easy to perform as there are no sleights involved. Everything is done behind your back….and with a legitimate reason. Bonus ideas are also included. You can use this gimmick to do a “raise rise” type of effect and even a deck thru table.

Having said all these, the downside is that the gimmick will eventually wear out and you will need to replace it. But don’t let that stop you from getting this effect. Recommended. Rating 4/5

 

Review of EZ Add A Number by Nathan Kranzo

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

This is a very simple and effective way of doing the Add a Number. It doesn’t require any gimmicks or special preparations. All you need is an analog watch which can be borrowed, some business cards and a pen and you are good to go.

Most of us know that this type of effect can be difficult to be entertaining. The audience will be at the most “puzzled” by such effects. Nathan Kranzo’s routine is quite entertaining. But it will still depend on the performer to make this routine entertaining. Even if you follow exactly as what Nathan Kranzo did, you may not get the desired outcome. The DVD will give you an outline on how to perform it and it will still depend on the performer to tune it to suit his personality.

This routine packs small and is very easy to do.  Recommended. Rating 3.75/5

 

Review of Transcendence by Leon Deo Scott and Merchant of Magic

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

“The final word on coins across”, a rather bold statement I’d think. The funny thing is, I don’t see the main routine as a “coins across”. You can see from the demo that the routine is obviously a coins thru hand done repeatedly with a kicker ending, nothing here resembles a coins across. Besides the DVD, you will also get a gimmick and you will also need a coin gimmick which most coin workers will already have. The set-up is rather clever. I think you can use this set-up for other routines as well.

In the main routine, I find it hard to follow as he was transferring the coin from one hand to the other, pass thru spectator’s hand and then transferring the coin from one hand to the other again and then he did it again. It may be due to the fact that as a magician, I can see what is happening and it’s hard to follow like a layman should. Frankly, I’m not impressed with this routine. The coin appearing on the spectator’s hand is very visual and nice though. To do this, you need to control your spectator really well, if the spectator picks up the coins at the end of the routine, its game over for you.

The DVD is about 30 mins long, the actual length is probably much shorter if the explanations was done once instead of 3 times. I don’t understand why he needs to explain the same routine 3 times and each time it was almost verbatim. The DVD production is not very good either; you can tell that this is a one man operation. The camera is stationary, to “zoom “in to look at the set-up, he actually have to move the hands to the camera.

As for the bonus routines, I find them much better than the main routine, there’s coins thru table, coin appearance, coins thru glass with a gravity flipper and a real coins across routine. I find that the bonus coins across routine should replace the main routine.

This is a nice idea combining the gimmick with a coin routine. I’m sure many people out there will have better and stronger routines after watching the DVD.

Recommended. It’d be better if the main routine is not so confusing to follow. Rating 3.75/5.

Review of Psychoportation by Devin Knight

Review by: John Teo

This is a clean teleportation of a small borrowed object placed inside one envelope to another envelope placed some distance apart.

The effect in detail is as follows:

3 small manila envelopes are examined.  A spectator places a small object such as their driving license or credit card into one of the envelopes.  The performer can turn away while this is being carried out – he does not need to know what object is being placed into which envelope.

3 larger window envelopes are shown.  The small manila envelope with the borrowed object inside is slipped into the top window envelope.  A paper clip is placed onto this envelope to keep the flap down.  This envelope is placed to one side – the manila envelope inside can be clearly seen through the window of the larger envelope.

The spectator chooses another small manila envelope and this is slipped inside the second window envelope.  A different coloured paper clip is placed onto this envelope and place some distance away from the first window envelope.  The second manila envelope can also be seen through the window of the second larger envelope.

The third and last window envelope is used to touch the first, then the second envelope.  The teleportation is done!  The first envelope is opened and the small manila envelope inside it is found to be empty.  The second envelope is opened and the small manila envelope inside it is found to contain the spectator’s object!

The effect is easy to execute.  The teleportation is most convincing.  The 2 envelopes are placed some distance apart – the small manila envelopes can be clearly seen through the windows of each of the larger window envelopes – yet the magic happens!

You are supplied with all the envelopes plus the 2 paper clips.  As usual, Devin Knight’s instruction, in the form of a 12 page manuscript, is comprehensively written.  He also provides improved handlings such as marking the first small manila envelope with “1” and the second manila envelope with “2”.  The first window envelope can also be placed inside a clear plastic bag and held by the spectator so that it is obvious it cannot be tempered with.  (5/5 stars rating).

 

Review of LOOK NO HANDS by Wayne Dobson

Reviewed by: John Teo

This is a well produced booklet containing some 40 pages describing 10 effects by Wayne Dobson.

With his physical performing limitations, Wayne Dobson has set upon himself that all the 10 effects shall be “hands off”.  That is to say, the tricks shall be performed by the audience as far as possible, the performer has very little handling of them.  This means the tricks are all practically self-working.  He is then quick to add that this does not mean no skill is required of the performer.  In fact, the performer needs to be able to manage his spectators well so that the spectators are seen to be doing the magic in the same way that the performer would have done it himself.

He also said that since the tricks are carried out by the spectators instead of the performer, this can make the effects even stronger.  This is only partially true.  Some of the tricks depend too much on the handling by the spectators (eg McDobson’s Aces).  This can make the tricks appear to be boring and monotonous.  Unless you can manage the spectators well, they can mess up the tricks, too.  Since most of us do not suffer any performing disability, we do not need to comply fully with the “hands off” restriction.  Some of the handlings are better off carried out by the performer in order to ensure smoother and better control.

All of the 10 effects are card tricks.  Many of them can be adopted for platform performances.  Several are based on old classics but they have been reworked to satisfy the “no hands” condition.  A couple of the routines have been in print previously, but they also have been updated and are worth another look.

My favourites are:

• Invisible – a different and bold method of the “invisible deck” trick where an invisibly chosen card matches the prediction inside an envelope.
• Second Chance – a coincidence trick using 2 decks in which a wrong card eventually reveals the correct selected card in an usual manner.
• Birthday Card – a commercial effect based on his marketed trick.  Performer uses his birthday card to find the spectator’s birthday card, and then makes the birthday wishes.
• Tossed Deck – this version enhances the effect that the performer is able to name each of 3 spectators’ peeked at card.
• Echo – a “spectator becomes the magician” routine with an offbeat ending.

If you enjoy strong commercial card tricks that are self-working, this booklet is a good investment.  It is well written by Stephen Tucker, but the cover illustration is rather ribald.  (4.5/5 stars rating)

 

Review of Six Masterpieces by Wayne Dobson

Reviewed by: John Teo

This is a small booklet containing six effects from Wayne Dobson.

Due to the physical performing limitations of Wayne Dobson, his tricks are all self-working.  However, all of them have a strong impact on the audience.

Some of the tricks are based on old classics and are re-routined to suit the performing condition of Wayne Dobson.  Some of them require standard magician’s gimmicks which are easily available.

It is interesting to note that a couple of the effects require a double lift and the handling of 2 cards as one.  Even this sleight is being eliminated by Wayne Dobson by the use of a special something.

The booklet is well written by Stephen Tucker who has a knack of writing concisely but comprehensively.

The 6 tricks described are:

• Best Friends: performer predicts which 2 of 5 coins will be chosen by 2 spectators.
• Amnesia: a clean and examinable signed card transposition between the performer and a spectator.
• Only Joking: spectator picks the one Queen out of four different Queens that matches your prediction.  The other 3 Queens are shown to be actually Jokers.
• Every Time: performer writes a prediction on the back of his business card, folds it in half to hide the written word, and slips it underneath a spectator’s wrist-watch.  The spectator mentally selects an hour by looking at their watch and it is the very hour predicted by the performer.
• Perspiration: 3 different coloured coins are hidden from the performer’s view: one is kept in the spectator’s closed left hand, one in the right, and the third inside a coin purse.  Performer is able to reveal the locations of all the 3 coins.
• Once Upon A Time: 2 spectators assist in mixing up the 2 halves of a deck of cards, and the performer is able to predict the final outcome of the cards, ie how many cards are face up, how many face down, etc.

If you like strong self-working tricks, you will enjoy this booklet.  (4/5 stars rating)