Magic: Product Review Thread?

[Jolly Well]

I'm still fairly new to the forums here, and not really certain how many of my fellows here are magicians; but just wondering if it would be possible to get a product review section here?

I use to frequent a Magician's forum; but it ultimately dwindled away. Most of the others I am part of, lean more towards stage or street magic - and the products and gimmicks are rarely appropriate for "clown magic."

It's just a thought. Magic props can be pricey, and the company details can oft times be sketchy. I remember starting off in magic, how frustrating it was to spend a chunk of change on what was suppose to be an uber magic trick - only to feel like I'd been robbed when I finally got it home.

Also, having "I have it" reviews from those of us in the field, can really help out. Being able to relate to those who might not have good sleight skills and need gimmicks or self working magic and such.

Definately not asking for a "how it's done" thread, but the below format is similar to my old magic forum - and it worked out quite well with information and consistency.

Just an idea to keep the reviews in some sort of order... just cut and paste

<Product name in Title form>

<this would go into the message/body form>
The Effect



Cost


Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)



Review



Overall



Anyway - just a thought. No idea if it's been discussed here or not.

[Fitzwilly]

Seems like a good idea to me. Thanks

[TJ]

Not a bad idea!

[Jolly Well]

Ball & Square Mystery

The Effect

A sponge cube is displayed to the audience. The magician shows his left hand to be empty and then closes it into a fist. The cube is placed on top of his fist and pushed down inside with the right index finger. The magician then asks the audience if they know which hand the cube is in, but their answer makes no difference-the magician opens both hands to show a sponge ball in each hand!


Cost
$3.95

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

1 = anyone can do this right out of the package.


Review
One of my favorite sponge gimmicks. The reactions I've gotten from children and adults alike have been great.


Overall 3 out of 5
A terrific effect for the price. Great addition to a multiplying sponge routine, or as a quick "fly-by" trick when strolling. The only issues I've had are the durability. By nature of the trick it can wear out fairly quick; and it's not really that difficult to figure out if you give your spectator time to think on it. Definately not a stand alone trick, but can be a great addition to a sponge routine. A good piece of magic for the budding magician.

[Jolly Well]

The Effect

Your spectator holds onto a sponge cube in his closed hand. Then you touch the spectator's hand with a coin and the sponge multiplies into two sponges! Both of the sponge cubes are again held by the spectator, and with another touch of the coin they impossibly multiply again into three cubes! All three cubes are then clearly placed into the spectator's hand and you ask, "Would you believe that now there are four?" You touch the spectator's hand with the coin again and this time when the spectator opens their hand, instead of four small cubes it's one large four!


Cost
$4.95


Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

3


Review
A decent package for a multiplying routine. It really doesn't add much that you can't do with your normal sponge balls except the finale; which can be good for helping children with counting exercises. That being said, I've had some really nice reactions from teens and adults as well.


Overall 2.5 out of 5
While the effect is ok and it has its uses, I don't know that I could recommend this outside of the previously mentioned use of doing some kids magic to help with counting or such.
The sponges are hexagonal rather than balls which requires additional setup if used in a sponge ball routine, as you'll need to swap them in and out with your basic sponge balls to move to or past this trick.
Unless you're going to a school/educational type gig. I'd personally pass on Then there were 4.

[Jolly Well]

The Effect
Four different colored tiny silks are shown and placed into the magicians closed hand. Then as quick as a wink, a single silk is taken out of the same hand. It appears that the four tiny silks have fused together to make one large silk with four different colors on it. The hand can then be shown empty. Lot's of routines possible with this effect. Complete with easy to follow instructions.

Cost
$5.95

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

3

Review
The silks are of decent quality, so not really much to say about those. The gimmick that comes with the package is of really low quality however. I'd suggest buying the silks and gimmick seperately. It'll cost you a bit more, but it's worth it. The one in the package is basically unuseable up close. All but transparent with a few faults in appearance as well.

Overall
1 out of 5

[Jolly Well]

The Effect
An excellent comedy prop or a serious prop depending on the presentation. A magician is able to make an ordinary looking rope become limp or stiff at his command. Can be repeated any number of times and can be performed surrounded. An excellent multi-purpose prop.


Cost
$7.95

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

1

Review
This is definately an item for clown/children's magic. Easy to figure out for anyone else. That being said, it can still be used in a comedy magic act. I got this for walk-around when I'm stilt-walking. It's fairly large, so it will be visible - and the gimmick gives you a chance to talk it up to the kids.

Overall
1 out of 5 if you plan on using this as a pure magician's trick
2/3 out of 5 for clown/comedy/kids magic

[Jolly Well]

The Effect
A small white rope is shown to your audience. Then with a wave of your hand or a flick of your wrist, the white rope changes into a red one. Great for gospel applications as well as other magic. You will be surprised how easy this is to perform.

Cost
$6.50

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

1

Review
I don't like this item at all, and actually meant to order something else. It might be ok for kid's magic, or in a venue where you're audience isn't right on top of you - problem with that is that the gimmick is small. A few feet away may be ok, but too far away and they can't see - too close to you, and they can definately see too much. It's weak magic - I'd suggest a pass on this one.

Overall
1 out of 5 - and 1 is being generous.
It's weak, it's easy to figure out, and even at $6.50 - it's too much for what you get.

[Jolly Well]

The Effect
This is also called My Favorite Rope Trick for very good reasons. Three pieces of rope are shown. All three pieces are different lengths. The magician then picks them up and then they all become the same length. Then the magician can return them to their different sizes. Professor’s Nightmare is one of the all time best selling rope effects. Easy to do!

Cost
$3.95

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

1

Review
Professor's Nightmare has been around a long time, and it's still one of my favorite tricks. It has potential for patter in all aspects of magic - kids, gospel, comedy, whaever. You can do the trick without the package for sure, and unless you want the pretty rope that comes in this kit - I'd buy 42 Amazing Tricks & Stunts with Rope instead. It has Professor's Nightmare along with many others.


Overall
4 out of 5

[Jolly Well]

The Effect

With the lights down low, you reach into your pocket and pull out a glowing sphere. Holding the luminescent sphere between your right thumb and forefinger for all to see, you pause for a moment before placing the sphere in your left hand. You reach back into your pocket, pull out another glowing sphere and place it alongside the first sphere in your left hand. You pull a third sphere out of your pocket and place it in your left hand with the others. OK, cool effect but nothing too tricky until you put three spheres in your left ear and pull them out of your mouth, or your other ear... You can make the glowing spheres vanish and re-appear anywhere you like.



Cost

$19.95/pair



Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

1-3 depending on your routine
By themselves anyone can use them 1, but some sleight is needed to dump or retrieve them...


Review

I love my D'lite set. I have a pair with red lights that I se alot around the holidays. Plucking lights off of Christmas trees and such. I've also started using them at my theater gig - grabbing lights off of their marquee and neon lighting to begin my routine. Great reactions - $20 well spent.


Overall
5 out of 5. With a little practice, you can do wonders with these things - you could center an entire show around them with some creativity.

The only downsides are:

1.) A while back, you could find these things in Toy Stores across the country- so they have some exposre; and you may get called out on them. I haven't thus far; but like everything - you're selling the show and not the gimmick.

2.) This one falls in line with number 1. The Masked Magician exposed these along with countless other props and gimmicks. Again, not so much a big deal as it is a minor inconvenience.