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Review: DeLand’s Centennial Edition (Daisy Classic)

Review: DeLand’s Centennial Edition (Daisy Classic)

A special 100th anniversary marked deck that’s been recreated and improved for the 21st century , and designed by Phil Smith? Say no more!

Description

The DeLand Centennial project brings two amazing decks of marked playing cards back to life. Originally printed in 1919, the Daisy Deck and Nifty Deck were created by Theodore DeLand. In honor of their 100th anniversary, Penguin Magic recreated these ingenious decks from the ground up.

Penguin Magic teamed up with renowned magician, graphic designer, and marked deck expert, Phill Smith (creator of the DMC ELITES) to create these stunning Centennial Editions. These are not simply reprints – each deck has been painstakingly redrawn and enhanced with new art and new features.

Origins:
Theodore DeLand was a genius creator and innovator in the magic world. DeLand lived from 1873 to 1931. Before departing this world, he left behind an enormous collection of mind-boggling creations. His best-known work is the “Dollar Deck”, a groundbreaking marked deck of cards.

Few are aware that DeLand actually created many marked deck designs in addition to countless magic tricks. Originally offered in 1919, the Daisy Deck and Nifty Deck appear to be simple, innocent cards at first glance – but each deck holds many secrets waiting to be decoded.

Backs:
Each deck has a full-bleed borderless back design that looks right at home on the poker table. Penguin Magic meticulously recreated each design to be faithful to the original, while making small changes to make the decks more useful for the modern performer.

To offer them as a complimentary pair, the Daisy Deck has been designed in a deep Burgundy and the Nifty Deck is dark Blue.

Markings:
Not only is each deck marked to tell you the Suit & Value of every card, but there are other secret marks as well. Penguin Magic expanded upon the core design originally created by DeLand and taken it a step further. In the Centennial Edition, each deck has OVER 500 MARKS in total. A quick glance at any card back will tell you the identity of not just one, but THREE different cards, as well as how many cards are left in a pile.

Every deck comes with an instruction card that will teach you how to decode the markings, as well as access to an instructional video by Kevin Reylek. The systems are hard to detect but are simple to learn and can be mastered with moderate practice.

Tuck Boxes:
The tuck boxes feature all-new, 100% custom designs that deliver a vintage vibe that has been elevated with a touch of modern elegance. Each deck also has a custom sticker seal.

Faces:
We absolutely LOVE vintage card faces. Both the Daisy Deck and Nifty Deck have gorgeous custom faces based on designs from the early 20th century.

The faces have been completely redrawn for modern printing, but fully capture the essence of vintage designs, including subtle asymmetry and small imperfections.

The Ace of Spades and Jokers are faithful recreations of DeLand’s classics.

Stack:
The deck comes in Si Stebbins stack direct from the factory, allowing you to perform a number of diabolical effects.

Printing:
Have you ever tried to fan or shuffle a 100-year-old deck of cards? It’s not easy! Manufacturing techniques have improved immeasurably since the original 1919 decks, so one of the biggest upgrades that the DeLand Centennial offers over the originals is the handling quality.

These were printed with the US Playing Card Company on a Classic stock with top-of-the-line coating for the ultimate performance for magic, games, cardistry, and more. The decks are traditionally cut. This means that the cards are cut from face to back, which creates a minuscule yet important edge bevel that aids in executing card moves flawlessly.

-Based on the Classic 100-year-old Daisy & Nifty Decks by DeLand
-Revised & Updated artwork by Phill Smith
-Completely New Custom Tuck Designs
-Over 500 Marks per Deck
-Vintage-Style Faces
-Si Stebbins Stack
-Printed by USPCC on Classic Stock with High-Grade Finish
-Traditionally Cut

Nominee Deck of the Year Penguin Magic Awards 2020

Unboxing DeLand’s Centennial Edition (Daisy Classic)

Full disclosure: I’m a big fan of British mentalist/ design guru, Phil Smith. So much so that I engaged the busy man to design my MindMagicMistress.com website. You’d also find some of his awesome products reviewed here on NingThing.com 🙂 So when Penguin Magic made the official announcement that they were producing these special decks on KickStarter, with Phil on board as their designer in charge of reimagining these cards, I was beyond thrilled.

Nominated as Deck of the Year 2020, these brilliant poker sized cards are produced by Penguin Magic and printed on USPPC Classic Stock with High-Grade Finish. So after sliding the vintage style deck out of its box (I love that cheeky bit on the front which states ‘Marked for Greatness’ LOL), these air-cushion cards spread like butter and riffle like a dream. I’m pretty sure they couldn’t get this same star quality from card manufacturers a hundred years ago!

The lovely old school design on the box looks so innocent, regular layman wouldn’t imagine it to be a diabolic marked deck with a special stack system to it that’s designed by the very same expert who came up with the DMC Elites. The traditionally cut deck comes with two jokers of different colours, one blank face card, and a two sided one with succinct instructions. The DeLand’s Centennial Edition cards comes sealed in Si Stebbins order so if you want, you could unwrap the deck and chuck out the extra cards before doing a false cut or shuffle and dive right into your routine.

Looking at the DeLand’s Centennial Edition (Daisy Classic) deck up close, the cards are really very well made. It’s not difficult to read the backs, even if you’re a little shortsighted like me. The system is easy to sight and also, to remember. As I purchased this directly from the producers, an hour long tutorial was already waiting for me in my Penguin Magic account as the package winged its way over to Europe.

Here are a couple of shots but I still feel my pictures don’t do it justice…

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

Just to be crystal, Phil and the team at Penguin Magic did a phenomenal job with this project. The design for these cards are AMAZING, giving justice to the original. The artwork was illustrated by hand, in a wabi-sabi kind of way to give that right feel of authenticity from the year 1919, when the original first came out.

The marking system for the DeLand’s Centennial Edition Daisy Classic has also been vastly improved upon; there are a whooping 500+ marks per deck! The numbers do make sense since all four corners are marked on every card. And thanks to the clever design, the marks on the backs would be obvious to you but not at all to someone who doesn’t know how to identify the card and position markings.

While it is true that there are like a gazillion marked decks available in the market today, this one is special because of its rich American heritage, its ability to tell you the suit and value of every card, the next card that come after it, the previous one from before… and how many cards are left in the pile! Also, as mentioned earlier, it comes ready stacked for you in Si Stebbins and there are so many lovely effects you can do with that.

The special 52 minute video tutorial is rich with ideas too, so for 15 bucks, this really is a steal. If you’re into cardistry or a card collector who dabbles in a bit of close up magic, or a professional magician looking for a classy vintage style deck, or if you’ve got a certain theme going like time traveling duo Morgan and West, the DeLand’s Centennial Edition would suit you perfectly.

TLDR: DeLand’s Centennial Edition (Daisy Classic)

What’s not to like about a vintage style 100-year-old marked deck recreated and improved for the 21st century that’s printed by USPCC and designed by the same mastermind behind the DMC marked deck… which is not only classy AF but also gives you the uncanny superhuman ability to know the suit and value of every card, the identity of the next card that come after it, the previous one from before, and how many cards are left in the pile… and it also comes ready stacked in Si Stebbins! You will fall in love with the DeLand’s Centennial Edition. These faithful recreations are available from Penguin Magic while stocks last.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Review: The Love Ritual by Woody Aragon

Review: The Love Ritual by Woody Aragon

If you could only perform just one trick, something that would engage your audience and make a lasting impact, what would it be? After much pondering, my answer surprised me. It wasn’t the biggest props, wasn’t the most expensive, wasn’t the newest or coolest, it didn’t even use electronics or gadgets… But this one is very close to my heart because it’s utterly brilliant, beautiful, and plays exceedingly well to a small intimate group or to a crowd of thousands. My choice would be this:

Description

“We have used Woody’s “Love Ritual” as a Penn & Teller show closer in Vegas, all over the USA, on Jimmy Fallon, and indeed all over the world. It kills. We’re not thrilled about you doing it, but if you wanna, these instructions will tell you all we know and much more. Woody is the best.” – Penn & Teller

“Woody Aragon’s “Love Ritual” is one of the best routines I did on tour for many years. I closed my show with this quite often which says just how much I love this piece of magic.” – Cyril Takayama

“Woody is one of the great thinkers in magic today who has made some significant contributions to the our field.” – David Blaine

“Love Ritual is the heart of one of my favorite routines of all times.” – Luis de Matos

“This a reputation maker that I’ve used in my own corporate work for years. If you want an impromptu miracle that you WILL USE and that people WILL remember, then Love Ritual is for you.” – Eric Jones

“The Ritual is the greatest audience participation card trick ever created! I can’t tell you how many times after my show people come up to me and say “that was the most amazing card trick they have ever seen”. If it’s not already in your show get this download and thank me later.” – Erick Olson

“What really makes this routine so powerful is that it can be done in Close-Up or Stage. I have seen this on television with the entire audience doing the effect. It blew me away. I love that he not only explains his proven variation but also reveals multiple other variations. And the “secret” is so diabolical that the audience does the dirty work to themselves!!” – Chef Anton

“This is way too good to give to the masses! I’ve been using Love Ritual in my professional work to create pure magic and genuinely connect with the audience. Pure genius!” – Michael Kaminskas

“Woody Aragon’s Love Ritual is the perfect trick to actively involve EVERYONE in the audience…I LOVE it!” – Cody S. Fisher

There is a reason this trick is found in the repertoire of many of today’s top working pros, and now for the first time on video Woody will share with you all the secrets to make this practically self-working miracle play huge.

What is The Love Ritual?

The entire audience is given four playing cards that they shuffle. They then tear those cards in half and shuffle some more. They put one of the torn pieces in their pocket and then shuffle the remaining pieces even further. After eliminating cards by throwing them in the air everyone is left with just one piece of torn card. The audience brings back out the piece that they put in their pocket, and it matches. Every person in the whole audience is successful.

Clocking in at over an hour and twenty minutes, Woody goes into all of the fine details and variations that make this a stunner. He even includes the variation that fooled some of the world’s best magicians at the prestigious 4F convention in Batavia New York. Whether you need something that can play for a stadium (the largest version of this was done by 50,000 people at once!) or to cap off an intimate show among friends, every magician should learn The Love Ritual.

Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)

I first came across The Love Ritual by Woody Aragon several years ago in 2016 but boy, did that memory stick. I was invited by the cast of The Illusionists to watch them perform live in Singapore, and sitting there in the middle of the audience, I witnessed first hand how strong this incredibly smart routine played out as Luis de Matos lead everyone through all the steps as he stood on stage.

There was incredible energy all around as everyone was laughing as people ripped up the picture postcards, giggling at how crazy amazing it turned out to be… they were really loving that magic was happening in their very hands! And even after the show, as we were leaving the theatre, people were still talking about it (and holding on to their little souvenirs). That’s after watching over an hour of incredible grand illusions and breath taking escapes, as well as, mind boggling mental magic that could not be explained.

I later came across The Love Ritual by Woody Aragon on Penn and Teller’s Fool Us and then folks, some more creative and original than others, started performing the same routine. If you’re not familiar with the plot, the above video should enlighten you. It’s a simple trick but it really plays big, and with the right presentation you can really win people’s hearts. It’s no wonder why professionals everywhere are including it in their set.

In this instant download, Woody patiently explains how the self-working effect works before diving in deep to present alternative handling and presentations. He does a fantastic job covering every detail and subtlety in making this charming math trick work with a little fun, some misdirection, and lots of personality. The challenge for the performer, as I see it, is how to make Woody’s fine routine as original as possible through patter and props. Instead of playing cards you can customise it to something else with context, like how The Illusionists used picture postcards of the cast.

IMHO the Love Ritual works brilliantly for nearly every occasion I can think of (weddings, classrooms, company bonding events, etc.) and interactive Zoom shows, which I think is a performance genre that’s pretty much here to stay. Penguin Magic’s price tag for this highly informative 90+ minute long video with Woody teaching EVERYTHING is more than fair.

TLDR: The Love Ritual by Woody Aragon

A powerful masterpiece used by professionals all around the world, this instant download could be your best investment in magic yet. Highly recommended. A full 10 stars! Exclusively available through Penguin Magic.

Review: The Mystery Man by Dennis Hermanzo

Review: The Mystery Man by Dennis Hermanzo

When my dear friend and fellow mentalist Steve Drury first told me about this exciting new project earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the actual book. The Mystery Man: Classic Mentalism from Denmark by Dennis Hermanzo is one book that I can wholeheartedly recommend as a new inclusion in your library. But before I delve into the details, let’s first admire this gorgeous 274 page long hardcover published by Inner Rapport Publishing.

Pictures of The Mystery Man by Dennis Hermanzo

My Thoughts on The Mystery Man by Dennis Hermanzo

If you’re reading this review, chances are you’ve probably already dabbled into magic and mentalism, and are looking for an avenue to take your skills and knowledge further. If that is you (am I off by one?) then this commendable book may just be what you’re looking for.

I took my time to truly savour the gems within these pages, which remind me a lot of Paul Auster’s City of Glass in terms of the narrative structure. Like the iconic bestseller, The Mystery Man brings you on a similar journey, storytelling wise, through an intriguing protagonist. This main character leads us through a series of events and it’s a creative way indeed of showing and not just telling; Hermanzo touches on very solid staples of mentalism but provides layers of elegance and showmanship that will play well on stage or TV. I especially enjoy his ideas using props I’d never considered before like roses for that romantic flair of old world charm.

Granted, the thing with mentalism is that it is crucial that you shape presentational routines to suit your performance character. Not everybody is going to be able to do what Dennis  Hermanzo does… but it’s the same as how I’d mentioned in an earlier review that while learning a new magic/ mentalism routine, we should always strive to make it our own and not do it the same (especially the jokes or puns) as how it’s been taught or presented by its originator. So I really love what the author has given us; there’s so much food for thought in its content.

All about well structured routines and not just “tricks”, the offerings in this book are suitable for the intermediate mentalist planning to put together a professional show. How do I define ‘intermediate’? If you know classics like the PK Touches, then you’re good to go. In fact there’s a very lovely routine in the book which might inspire you to rethink your own stage presentation!

While I don’t know Hermanzo personally, I have no doubt this Danish mentalist is a professional worker. In fact this book impressed me so much, I think I may just check out the rest of his other material. His various essays on theory, as well as, the business side of things are rather thought provoking. This would have been a book I wished I had when I was first starting out in the biz!

So now that I’ve shared the pros, are there any cons? Well to be honest, I’d be nitpicking here… the only thing that was jarring to me during the read, was that it’s obviously not written by a native English speaker. Some sentences were a tad clumsy because they were missing prepositions and words like ‘braun’ used instead of ‘brown’, but having said that I had no trouble at all in the comprehension of the text. Perhaps this was done on purpose to lend authenticity to the titular character. Anyway, all the methods and secrets are easily understood so there’s no worries there 🙂

TLDR: This get a full five stars from me. A worthy addition to your mentalism library, and solid material if you’re planning to put together a show. Highly recommended!

A quick video of The Mystery Man by Dennis Hermanzohttps://ningthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20210309_144949_1_1.mp4

Steve Drury, who has published many wonderful books on mystery magic and the mentalism arts, has lent a delightful touch to this book and you can get The Mystery Man by Dennis Hermanzo directly from his website. Steve and Dennis have even provided a sample PDF so you can check out the manuscript before you buy. Enjoy!

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Test gadgets

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Review: Script Clip by Meticulous Magic

First published in 1968, much of what Corinda wrote in his well-loved book, The Thirteen Steps to Mentalism, still rings true today. And if we were to consider it as the “bible” to what we do and love as mentalists, much attention and study should be given to the book’s very first step – the Swami gimmick.

First published in 1968, much of what Corinda wrote in his well-loved book, The Thirteen Steps to Mentalism, still rings true today. And if we were to consider it as the “bible” to what we do and love as mentalists, much attention and study should be given to the book’s very first step – the Swami gimmick. 

It’s the early days of 2021 as I write this review, and I had the lovely opportunity to test this clever gem over the holidays. I consider it rather underground since it isn’t distributed by Murphy’s Magic or sold at major magic retailers like Vanishing Inc, and this honestly would have honestly flown over the radar for me if not for my dear friend Michael Siegel, a New York based magician and long time member of the Magic Cafe, who always seems to know about the latest and greatest.

So without further ado… this, my dear friends, is the Script Clip.

As you can see in their official trailer above, this is essentially the 21st century Swami gimmick. Custom made using 3D printing, the Script Clip is the brainchild of American magician, Wesley Martinez. And it is with his blessings that I’m reviewing his excellent creation. Speaking to this young entrepreneur (Mr Martinez also runs a vape shop), I learnt that he acquired a resin based 3D printer to start prototyping ideas he had after being disappointed by what was available in the market. With plans of a design for a nail writer so small and nearly invisible that the user may hide it between their fingers and show both sides seemingly empty, he got to work and ultimately created his own version.

Now, I fully agree with the world renown mentalist Richard Osterlind that nail writers are better than the TT or boon style varieties; they take less effort in movement so that gives you more stealth. But having said that, the set of nail writers purchased from his website (mind you, this was quite some time ago) can’t be compared to these 3D printed Script Clips. They were cheap, flimsy metal that were for some absurd reason painted white instead of flesh coloured and needed much work before you could use them. So I am glad inspiration hit Wesley and he did something about it. 

As you can see from my pictures, the nano size of these 3D printed Script Clips is what makes it stand out from the rest of the nail writers out in the marker. A special blend of resins was formulated for slightly elastic properties to reduce strain (this basically gives a lower chance of breakage) while providing phenomenal grip on your nail. Allegedly, it took no less than 200 revisions to achieve this!

You’ll need a bit of nail to use any nail writer efficiently. With the Script Clip, the fit is snug, so no worries of it falling off. And I like that various styles are available; beside the 4mm thick listo lead version that makes what you write looks like it was made by a Sharpie, there’s also the 1.3mm and 2mm pencil lead version in different styles. There’s the regular straight one which you pop right on your thumb nail, a brand new magnetic version of that for easier gimmick management in your pocket (my personal favourite), and a neat sideswipe edition that has the lead slanted at an angle. And since these are 3D printed and not difficult to customize, the Script Clips are available for lefties too!

Ordering is simple and hassle-free. You can get your Script Clip direct from Wesley, who inspects every nail writer before shipping it out. On that note, shipping is currently free worldwide. I’m in Europe and received mine fairly quickly despite it being the holiday season. Wesley also shared that he’s in the midst of making a special video for his customers (past and present) so it would be a good idea to join his ScriptClip Facebook group.

I do like these Script Clips a lot, and am pleased with the variety pack which allows you to get a good feel of the different styles and through a bit of play and testing, decide what works best for you. It would also be a good idea to order the lead refills. They come well packed in the same metallic tin, and should last quite a long time. All Script Clips come pre-installed with a lead but since everyone writes differently, it’s best to test out what length suits you best. I personally discovered that I have better control with a lead that’s not too long, but your mileage may vary. 

IMHO these truly are the rolls royce of nail writers. However, if you still have concerns about the fit since it doesn’t come in various sizes like thumb tips, here’s a quick tip from the creator: pop on your Script Clip and let it cure under UV light (like those from your sister/ girlfriend/ wife/ mother’s UV nail device) for a good half minute to shape your Script Clip for a perfect fit. According to Wesley, this is a one time treatment but wouldn’t actually be necessary for most folks out there. Still, I thought this is good to know and well worth sharing.

All in all, I’m really glad to have found these gems. They’re absolutely brilliant, and I can’t wait to see more from their clever creator. The Script Clip by Meticulous Magic deserves a full ten stars IMHO and I do hope to see more from Wesley and his team… Perhaps future Script Clip varieties like ball pen ink, if you take a page from good ol Tony Corinda. 

Easy to use, A star customer service, very well made. This comes highly recommended.

PS: A worthwhile companion I heartily recommend is a brilliant book called The Nail Writer Anthology by Thomas Baxter. The hardcover book is about 270 pages and covers the history and evolution of the swami, as well as, clever contributions of mentalists like Looch, Paul Brook, Hector Chadwick, Andrew Gerard, Patrik Kuffs, James Randi, Patrick Redford, Marc Salem, Barrie Richardson, Christopher Taylor, and many more.

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Review: David Regal’s Color Changing Knives

Review: David Regal’s Color Changing Knives

This doesn’t happen often but my very first impression when I opened this box on Christmas morning was… OH WOW! Brilliantly packaged in a sturdy cardboard box, with each knife nestled inside a snug die-cut foam pocket, I felt a rush of excitement when I took them out to play. Extremely well made, with much thought clearly put into its elegant production, there is no doubt that David Regal’s Color Changing Knives look like legit Swiss army knives that can perform modern day miracles. A multi-award winning magician, Mr Regal has created many magic marvels over the years and his custom made color changing knives (2 gaffed, 2 you can hand out) are top notch in comparison to what’s currently available in the market. In fact, I dare say, these are the best I’ve ever seen and reviewed… and I’ve been doing this for almost two decades! David is a clever thinker, and I really appreciate how he makes use of texture and other clever design subtleties from the rivets to the silver bolster ends to help facilitate a smoother and easier performing experience for the magician.

Getting better acquitted with the knives over the holidays, I discovered to my delight that they were a perfect size; not at all clunky in my hands or heavy like others I have owned in the past. There is no doubt that you’ll feel confident performing all the sleights for the transpositions, thanks to the perfect weight distribution and balance when handling. It’s no wonder they took David over 30 years before it could be a reality… they handle like a dream!

Although the manufactured blades aren’t razor sharp, these knives are NOT toys and should be treated with proper respect like any other professional magic prop. With proper care and handling, they will last you a lifetime (actually I’m quite certain they will outlast me) and can be a real reputation maker. They’re perfect for everyone… from an amateur to the serious working magician, and they don’t take up much pocket space. In fact, I think they are a great contender for the best magic trick of the year! 

The 35 minute long video (password protected and hosted on David’s website) is a comprehensive masterclass fronted by the veteran professional, who is IMHO also one of the best magic teachers today. His detailed online instructions and generous sharing of ideas (I totally agree with David – his tutorial is quite the information overload so be prepared to digest everything over a couple of days) are just pure gold. You’ll learn all the secret moves along with his entertaining presentation and hilarious patter. That said, I’d strongly encourage you to make it your own by injecting your performing character’s personality and original script though… because you’re probably not David Regal 😉

With industry heavyweights like Charlie Frye using David Regal’s Color Changing Knives, this is certainly one of the best magic money can buy. In the right hands, this wonderful close up routine creates an authentic sensation of magic and will play well over Zoom or IRL because it is so visual and entertaining. A splendid investment, David Regal’s Color Changing Knives comes highly recommended and deserves a full ten stars!

PS: David is currently offering free shipping worldwide, so you can purchase this directly from his online store.

PPS: A worthwhile companion I heartily recommend would be the World’s Greatest Magic: Color Changing Knives video (available in DVD or instant download). You’ll get to see how classy pros like Johnny Thompson, Steve Draun, René Lavand, Bill Malone and Daryl do their flashy routines.The post Review: David Regal’s Color Changing Knives appeared first on NINGthing.com.

Review: David Regal’s Color Changing Knives

Review: David Regal’s Color Changing Knives

This doesn’t happen often but my very first impression when I opened this box on Christmas morning was… OH WOW! Brilliantly packaged in a sturdy cardboard box, with each knife nestled inside a snug die-cut foam pocket, I felt a rush of excitement when I took them out to play. Extremely well made, with much thought clearly put into its elegant production, there is no doubt that David Regal’s Color Changing Knives look like legit Swiss army knives that can perform modern day miracles.

A multi-award winning magician, Mr Regal has created many magic marvels over the years and his custom made color changing knives (2 gaffed, 2 you can hand out) are top notch in comparison to what’s currently available in the market. In fact, I dare say, these are the best I’ve ever seen and reviewed… and I’ve been doing this for almost two decades! David is a clever thinker, and I really appreciate how he makes use of texture and other clever design subtleties from the rivets to the silver bolster ends to help facilitate a smoother and easier performing experience for the magician.

Getting better acquitted with the knives over the holidays, I discovered to my delight that they were a perfect size; not at all clunky in my hands or heavy like others I have owned in the past. There is no doubt that you’ll feel confident performing all the sleights for the transpositions, thanks to the perfect weight distribution and balance when handling. It’s no wonder they took David over 30 years before it could be a reality… they handle like a dream!

Although the manufactured blades aren’t razor sharp, these knives are NOT toys and should be treated with proper respect like any other professional magic prop. With proper care and handling, they will last you a lifetime (actually I’m quite certain they will outlast me) and can be a real reputation maker. They’re perfect for everyone… from an amateur to the serious working magician, and they don’t take up much pocket space. In fact, I think they are a great contender for the best magic trick of the year!

The 35 minute long video (password protected and hosted on David’s website) is a comprehensive masterclass fronted by the veteran professional, who is IMHO also one of the best magic teachers today. His detailed online instructions and generous sharing of ideas (I totally agree with David – his tutorial is quite the information overload so be prepared to digest everything over a couple of days) are just pure gold. You’ll learn all the secret moves along with his entertaining presentation and hilarious patter. That said, I’d strongly encourage you to make it your own by injecting your performing character’s personality and original script though… because you’re probably not David Regal

Review: Best 30 Magic Downloads of 2020

It’s just a couple of weeks to the end of the year, so what better time than now to do a round up of the Best Magic Downloads of 2020

Review: The Mene Tekel Deck Project with Liam Montier

One deck, unlimited possibilities!

Liam Montier, along with Bigblindmedia, offers you the ultimate resource for unlocking the full potential of the Mene Tekel Deck!

Despite being more powerful than a stripper deck and more versatile than a svengali deck, the Mene Tekel Deck continues to be one of the most underutilized trick decks in the world of magic. With the Mene Tekel Project, Liam will help you turn this incredible gaffed deck into your greatest ally.

The Mene Tekel deck allows you to perform miracles that are impossible to duplicate using only sleight of hand. You can discover the identity of a freely selected card, have a chosen card easily appear in an impossible location and so much more!

The Mene Tekel Project takes a deep dive into the ingenious construction of this trick deck and how to best use it to your advantage, including naturally handling it during all displays, shuffles and selection procedures. It also showcases a variety of amazing magic tricks that use ZERO sleight of hand, ranging from simple routines to complete showstoppers for professional magicians.

While you absolutely DON’T NEED ANY SLEIGHT OF HAND to use the Mene Tekel Deck, Liam will also discuss how you can use just a bit of basic sleight of hand to take things to the next level.

Each set Mene Tekel Project comes with a Bicycle Brand Mene Tekel Deck (in either Red or Blue) and access to a 1-hour comprehensive magic download.

Contents

Using the Mene Tekel Deck

Basic Handling
Displays
Shuffles
Selections

Quick Tricks

Ambitious
Mindreading
Card To Pocket
Selfshifting Pack
Rising Card

Showpieces

Pocket Pick
Card At Number
Coincidence

With Added Sleights

Sandwich
Faro Display
Collectors
Twins

REVIEW

It was way back in 2011 when I first knew about this very clever, very diabolical deck, thanks to magician/ magic creator Nathan Kranzo. I never quite understood why the Mene Tekel deck never reached the same cult status as the classic Svengali deck or Stripper deck. IMHO it’s got to be one of the “best kept secrets” in card magic, truly. The fine guys behind Bigblindmedia have constantly released top quality products over the years, and their latest offering The Mene Tekel Deck Project is another clear winner.

As you can see in their promo trailer above, the project is presented by the very eloquent UK magician Liam Montier, recognised for having created many modern day magical miracles. You receive the special Mene Tekel deck (either Red or Blue backed Bicycle USPCC cards) along with the download video which runs about an hour long on an interface that looks clean and is very easy to use. Obviously, you’ll need a computer or device that’s hooked up to the internet to access the platform for the first time. But I much prefer this to the former DVD formats that BBM used to push out.

There are a total of 14 chapters which can be either streamed or downloaded to watch at your convenience. I personally find it annoying when presenters (usually the project creator) toot their own horn, name drop, go off point, or ramble during the tutorial. But no worries here because Liam is very experienced in teaching and it shows; every chapter of The Mene Tekel Deck Project is short and succinct, the longest being 9 minutes and the shortest falling just under 2 minutes.

The official marketing copy above is accurate: you learn about a dozen tricks, ranging from mentalism/ mental magic miracles where you seeming read your spectator’s mind, to a clever card to pocket effect, what looks like a ACR sans sleight of hand, and more. The tutorials are evenly paced, and broken down nicely so you can follow along.

No worries here if you’re new to card magic or don’t have much experience with sleight of hand. There are effects shared that don’t require any fancy movies and trust me, this is definitely within the realm of anyone young and old. There’s something for everybody. You’d be all up and roaring to go once you’ve finished The Mene Tekel Deck Project video tutorial!

I’m really glad BBM released this. It’s evident that much thought and research went into this project. And as with all their other DVDs, the production value for this magic download is high: clear sound and professional camera angles, all edited very well.

TL;DR

Though it came out over a hundred years ago, the Mene Tekel deck is such a great concept; even in the hands of an amateur magician, miracles will be made because it’s just so easy to handle. This latest offering from Bigblindmedia shows you how. The download video certainly makes an excellent introduction and I cannot recommend it enough, although I would recommend purchasing an extra Mene Tekel deck (I’ve used these for years and they are my personal favourites because they last longer than standard USPCC stock) or two to practise with, or make your own if you have the resources.

Highly recommended!

Magic is our passion but we are not a magic shop [image error] You can purchase this here!

PS: This review goes ‘live’ the weekend before Black Friday. In case you aren’t aware, Vanishing Inc is having a mega sale starting this weekend till December 3rd (or until supplies last) so you might want to take advantage of the awesome discounts and giveaways they have, besides the free shipping deal they offer. Good luck!

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Review: The Trojan Horse Project by MindFX

DESCRIPTION

The ‘Trojan Horse Project’ contains a collective powerhouse of routines that can be performed over the phone, in person, or over the internet.

A Brand New Approach to the Visa Cabaret/Free Will Plot:

This effect is performed with the participant’s own objects which remain in their possession throughout…

This 90-page book opens with the founding routine that kickstarted this entire project.  Created and developed by Manos Kartsakis this incredible routine introduces the reader to a minimum of two brand new techniques that are guaranteed to find a permanent home within your repertoire.

Going above and beyond a mere 50/50 chance…

The performer asks a participant to hide three different objects in their pockets and hands. Although the participant has a free choice throughout the routine where to place each item, and even switch them many times, the performer is able to divine with 100% accuracy where each object is and delivers a surprise ending.

Please consider the following –

Any three objects may be used (no gimmicks are required)
At no point do you need to see or touch any of the objects
The mentalist is always able to reveal the locations of each object with 100% accuracy.
The participant can remain silent throughout the effect (other than confirming that you are correct at the conclusion).
The final positions of each object can be predicted if required.
Deviously simple, very direct and yet extremely fooling.
No language restrictions.
No logic puzzles required.

Taking Things Further than Ever Before:

Feeling freshly inspired by Manos’ routine, Michael Murray decided to work on a variation of his own.  Working from the ground up Michael has created one of the most direct mind-reading effects that you will ever have the pleasure of learning.  Best of all, the reader of the book will get to experience this effect first hand (albeit in a simulated fashion).

Two heads are better than one…

Readers will instantly see the benefits of combining the devious principles behind each routine to create a seamless piece of impromptu mentalism that can be performed in any situation (even over the telephone).

Taking things even further, you will learn four additional handlings, each of which bringing their own unique advantages to the table.  This includes a two-person alternative where the performer simultaneously reads the minds of both participants and one which can be performed without the performer ever knowing which objects are in use (this was a personal favourite of Phedon Bileks’).

How does this compare with other published routines of this nature?

Whilst there are already several works of a similar nature that have been published and released in the past, we personally feel that none of them can compare to the directness of the work that is contained within this book.  In short, the absolute freedom of the participant’s actions is what sets this head and shoulders above the rest.

Please consider the following –

The participant can genuinely place any three objects in any of the three locations without restriction.
To keep things fair, we even offer them the opportunity to swap the positions of the items before we continue.
The participant never reveals to us if a switch was made or not (if a switch was made they also have a free choice here).
The participant is never asked to reveal a single piece of information throughout this and all actions are made sight unseen.
Despite the impossibility of the situation, the mentalist can instantly reveal the specific location of each item.

It simply doesn’t get any cleaner than this!

If you have ever wanted the ability to reveal the locations of three freely hidden objects without asking any questions at all then this is the book for you!

Note: Special thanks and credits go to Ian ‘Rasp Cheetham’ for helping to polish these routines into the practical and powerful effects that they have become.

REVIEW

It was twenty years ago when I first came across Bob Hummer’s Mathematical Monte concept (the very same eccentric genius who came up with the Hummer Card, performed back in the day using a long strand of hair plucked from his head). That mental magic routine involving three facedown cards quickly became my favourite Magician’s Fooler to perform since not many actually knew about it. The routine seemed so clean, felt so fair, yet quite impossible to reengineer. So you can imagine my utter delight when I realised how in a way, it’s inspired the very clever creators of The Trojan Horse Project. Well done Manos Kartsakis, Michael Murray, Ian ‘Rasp’ Cheetham!!!

It’s really wonderful when brilliant minds come together to create something beautiful, stemmed from the purity of their artistic creativity and passion. The creators took a raw diamond and transformed it into a shiny, brilliant, dazzling gem And, dare I say it, this could quite possibly be the best mentalism book of the year!

While the free will plot is not at all new, amongst the various offerings available on the market, this is now my absolute favourite. It’s diabolically smart (clearly A LOT of clever thinking has gone into it) and yet seems so direct (like good mentalism should… bad mentalism simply confuses), appearing so innocent and fair (completely their free will), The Trojan Horse Project blows its competition out of the water.

Before I delve into the specifics, here’s a little introduction of its three creators: Manos is a mentalist who hails from beautiful Greece, Michael is the all round Mr Nice Guy who’s the genius behind MindFX, and Ian aka Rasp, is a very talented painter and photographer. I am a big fan of his work. He took inspiration from this UK magazine cover of yours truly as my mystery performer alter ego Mind Magic Mistress (this was pre-Covid 19 when I headlined the South Tyneside International Magic Festival) and turned it into a gorgeous portrait!

TADAH! This painting is winging its way over from the UK to Switzerland right now.

A close up to appreciate Ian’s fine brush work and detail…

Now, as you know, every superhero has an origin story. This is how The Trojan Horse Project came into being: Michael was mighty inspired by a clever routine Manos came up with and showed his buddy his own original version of the three object routine. It stumped Manos, who loved how Michael completely made it his own. One idea quickly multiplied into many (because, that’s just the way Michael’s genius brain works) and with Ian’s hand in it (just like how James Bond has the indispensable Q), four very polished routines were birthed. The Trojan Horse Project is essentially an impressive collection of those ideas (Guess Work, Chain Reaction,Remote Control, In Two Minds) with the original method operandi and presentation by Manos included in the first ⅓ of this well-written manuscript.

Here comes the beautiful part of their story… Manos urged Michael to publish his ideas, giving him permission to include his original concept (The Stealth Switch) as a bonus. But Michael insisted that Manos deserved proper acknowledgement, and he recognised Ian’s invaluable contributions too… so that’s why the book is credited to all three gentlemen. Oftentimes we hear plenty of negativity (bickering and thievery mostly) in our niche little industry. So this certainly is a breath of fresh air. Don’t you love it when good people with good ethics respect one another?

Back to the review. The marketing copy above, taken verbatim from the MindFX website, is as honest and true without divulging too much. But just in case you’re wondering; there are no gaffs to build or sleight of hand required, no need for expensive gimmicks even. What’s required of you is to study the book (they even have well illustrated diagrams to help facilitate your understanding), check out their videos on Vimeo, and understand the various concepts. You can have your participant(s) come up with the three objects themselves. You can perform this on stage, in an intimate setting, over the phone, and of course with the current global pandemic, in your very own Zoom show.

I mean it when I say this book is well written. The manuscript has obviously gone through a stringent editing process to prevent spelling mistakes and misinformation. This is especially critical because scripting, psychology, pacing, and tempo are so important. IMHO mentalism is the most challenging genre of magic, and to pull it off well (i.e. making it believable) it takes much experience, maturity, and audience management amongst other things. In the hands of a strong performer, The Trojan Horse Project will have people sold that you have some pretty incredible powers. It’s a reputation maker because you can easily repeat it again, and again, and again… and always nail it.

Of course, you can frame the presentation to suit your performing character accordingly. Are you a mindreader? Body language expert? Psychic who already saw the future? And with the five different routines presented in the book, you can pick and choose which one serves you best (e.g. if you suffer from a bad memory, you’ll love Chain Reaction because you won’t need to memorise anything on the fly). All the routines in The Trojan Horse Project are tightly structured and any student of mentalism will surely appreciate the motivation and subtleties in every step of the way. I also love Manos and Michael’s memory aid suggestions to help you keep track of the moment. This is something I also do in my shows, and I’m pleased they’ve made it a point to include these useful nuggets in the book.

The price tag for The Trojan Horse Project is more than reasonable. Besides the physical book that gets shipped to you, you also get a PDF to read right away. The creators have also offered helpful “after sales service” in the form of a specially dedicated Facebook support group. When you purchase the book directly from MindFX, you’ll receive the invite via email. I’d encourage you to be a part of the Trojan Horse Owners Group, as we discuss how to translate principles from The Trojan Horse Project for other presentational concepts like Rock Paper Scissors, Three Cup Monte, Three Object Psychometry (my personal favourite) and more. These ideas are briefly covered in the book, but it’s lovely when you see how a fellow mentalist spins their own in the videos shared.

I have nothing but praise for The Trojan Horse Project and can’t recommend it enough. Once you’ve read it cover to cover, you’ll undoubtedly agree that this book is not something churned out by flakey folks who only care to make a quick buck (sadly just way too many of those these days). It’s a high quality product clearly made by passionate creators whose work speaks for themselves. You will use this.

Full deserving of 10 stars, The Trojan Horse Project may just be your favourite book purchase of 2020. You can get this directly from the creators here.

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