Title: Weapons          
Creator: Eric Ross
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: all
DVD Run time: 37 minutes  

Type of effect: Gaff deck with video download of 10 effects

Manufacturer's Write Up: WEAPONS is the BEST Gaffed deck to come along in years! 
The WEAPONS deck contains the BEST gaff card tricks and tools to have ever been released ALL IN ONE DECK! Gaffs that will kick your card magic up a few levels!  Now you can get all these pasteboard miracles in one deck!  Each deck contains red AND blue Bicycle Rider Back gaff cards!  The Weapons deck contains classic gaffs (some long off the market) and a bunch of NEW ideas! Contributions from Eric Ross, Garrett Thomas, Wayne Houchin, Dan Hauss, Dan White, Doug Conn, and more! 

How accurate is the ad copy? Well, first of all, "best" is subjective. The best gaff deck to come along in years? Yes, the deck comes with a lot of old "favorites" that you probably still have in your little card wallets. (ie McDonald's Aces, Pip Trip, Lit, The Princess Card Trick & Presto Printo)

What's in the box? Gaff deck in both red and blue bicycle along with the code to download the video.

Key points: It's nice that you get gaffs for both red and blue decks, but that also means you get "less" gaffs that a standard deck of gaff cards

 How are the production values: Moderate, mostly a single waist high shot. Live performances have no audio (patter) and there aren't really introductions to each effect, the video just "starts" and "finishes."

Is it well made: Yes, these are quality Bicycle brand cards

Is it well taught: Eric Ross does a good job explaining each trick and gives credit to the original creators.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?" It's only a deck of cards, chances are you'd only use 1 or 2 at a time.

Does it "play big?" Some of these effects are very strong. Lit is an effect David Blaine did in one of his specials.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Absolutely, you won't need anything other than a deck of cards.

Overall score: 8/10

 + If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVbo0ord-S0

Title: Triage
Creator: Danny Weiser & Shin Lim
Publisher: Shin Lim
MSRP: $35
Skill Level: all
DVD Run time: 54 minutes

Type of effect: torn and instant restorn card

Manufacturer's Write Up: In today's society, everything is fast paced. We must not waste time going from one place to another, and even certain social media outlets have time constraining video lengths. With less than a quarter of a minute for media such as Instagram, how are we supposed to demonstrate the full potential of a long winded, old fashioned, piece by piece TNR restoration? 

Danny Weiser, a creative thinker for the modern magician, introduces his take on the TNR. It's swift, magical, and direct. Welcome to Triage.  Triage comes with all the necessary parts required to perform this effect with the exception of a glue stick, scotch tape and binder clips. Some assembly required.

How accurate is the ad copy? Take careful note of the words "comes with all the necessary parts... with the exception of.." So it doesn't come with all of the necessary parts. Second, half of the add copy is the video in which the "gimmick" is shot to look flawless - this gimmick is extremely "frankensteined" and so the key word in the ad copy is "instagram" this is a great trick for instagram or youtube - where you can control your lighting and perhaps have a music dub.

What's in the box? Very large box, very small contents. If you get the unassembled gimmick you get 4 torn corners of playing card, elastic thread and the url to a video download.

Key points: the visual transformation is unbelievable, even for the trained eyes of an experienced magician.

How are the production values: Moderate to well, lots of the DVD is spent in putting the gimmick  together and or building your own. 

Is it well made: The gimmick is made by you (if you buy the cheaper version). 

Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  The gimmick is a single card.

Does it "play big?" I think it has potential in the right venue.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) It could be done on stage/parlor or in a dark & noisy bar, I would not recommend this for outside day light, or for spectator's that are extremely close to you.

Overall score: 5/10

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi2MK1I7MTc

Title: Search Engine Pen       
Creator: Jeff Prace
MSRP: $ 10
Skill Level: all

Type of effect: modified hot rod

Manufacturer's Write Up: The most innocent looking Hot Rod EVER! This pen combines the world's most iconic search engine logo and the Hot Rod methodology to create a prop that exerts innocence and performs well.

A spectator selects one of the colors on the pen's multi-colored logo. In a flash, the entire logo changes into the selected color! The pen can be displayed on both sides and be handed out for examination at the end.

How accurate is the ad copy? This is exactly what happens

What's in the box? Hot Rod pen -Plus an additional examinable pen -And written instruction by Genii columnist Jeff Prace

Key points: This is a much more organic "believable" prop

Is it well made: Built to look like a standard Bic© disposable pen

Is it well taught: Only written instructions are included, so you might want to learn the "paddle move" from someplace else.

My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I liked that this allows me to put a hot rod back into my routine, I didn't like the fact that the "Logo" is another "close facsimile" and not the actual branded Google© logo.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?" All you need is some pocket space two carry two pens. I put one in each front pocket, remembering where my gimmick is - then - when the effect is over - I pocket it with the "examinable" pen for my switch casually and then when my spectator asks to examine it, I hand out the other one. Diabolical.

Does it "play big?" Not really, this effect has an obvious color force and seems more like "eye candy" than a stunning effect.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Oh absolutely. It's a great little "always ready" that you can carry with you whenever.

Credit: The original hot rod is credited to James Zachary

Overall score: 8/10

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp9RIv3P4f4

Title: Pocket Sans Minds Sharpie     
Creator: Sans Minds  
Publisher: Sans Minds
MSRP: $ 25
Skill Level: all
DVD Run time: 53 minutes

Type of effect: moving ink effect

Manufacturer's Write Up: Use it as a permanent marker to have a card signed, dry-erase marker for mentalism applications, or even a moving ink marker for some crazy visual effects. There's no extra chemicals or props to carry around so you don't have to compromise pocket space. With something so compact, bigger isn't always better. It's the ultimate tool disguised as an everyday sharpie.

How accurate is the ad copy? Perfect write up - this is all true

What's in the box? DVD and a single gimmicked sharpie marker with key chain attachment.

Key points: portable, familiar, spontaneous and seemingly impossible

How are the production values: HD shot, tons of angles and creative environments, everything you'd expect from a Sans Minds product. (Herman makes one verbal mistake at the 5:20 mark, why didn't they edit that out?)

Is it well made: Looks and feels like a real sharpie marker - even has the REAL sharpie brand on the side of the pen tube.

Is it well taught: Herman from Sans Minds takes you through several moving ink effects so that you get the most out of this incredible tool.

My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I like the "realism" of this prop and the insusceptibility of it. The spectator's wont be examining  your pen, they'll be looking everywhere else.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?" Simply slap it on your keychain, and it's ready whenever you are.

Does it "play big?" moving ink, especially permanent ink - is an impossible thing! Get ready to shatter some perceptions.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) This is the perfect walk-around utility, it doesn't need special lighting, it works at all angles and there's nothing to hide.

Overall score: 9/10

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7W7pNYuRg

Title: Jekyll & Hyde Test
Creator: Scott Olgard and Luke Jonas
Publisher: Olnas Magic
MSRP: $110
Skill Level: all
Book Length: 46 pages

Type of effect: Book test

Manufacturer's Write Up:

From the minds of Scott Olgard and Luke Jonas comes a new, ground breaking book test that is limited only by your own imagination. Welcome to The Jekyll & Hyde Test.

Effect - The performer begins by introducing the book as his favorite book growing up and that he has set himself the challenge of memorizing the entire 26,694 words of the book. A spectator (or spectators) is asked up onto the stage to assist and the performer never touches the book.

The spectator is asked to flick through the book, change pages a few times, then settle on one page. With no fishing, the performer is able to recite an entire line from the page. There is genuinely no force, and the spectator can see that other pages are not duplicates.

Secondly, a spectator from the audience writes down 3 or 4 page numbers, unseen by the performer, and the spectator on stage turns to one of those pages without telling the performer. Through body language/mind reading, (whatever the performer's style) the performer first is able to give small details, and then reveal, word for word, the entire first paragraph.

The performer decides to take things one step further by having the spectator again turn to another page, unknown to the performer and settle on a truly random word. The performer can then reveal the word through whichever method suits his style.

Bonus effects, including a drawing duplication that you will be able to perform within 5 minutes of receiving this product! You can have your spectator attach a personal memory to one of the words in the book and reveal the memory piece by piece.

It doesn't stop there. You can adapt this book test to suit any of your needs, and combine it with any book test you already own. This book test is limited only by your imagination.

How accurate is the ad copy?

Ad copy said "No complicated memory work," but I guess that is subjective to what you consider "complicated." Let's say there is A LOT of memory work, especially if you want to perform the effect the way it is written out above.

What's in the box? Paper Back copy of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr Hyde" along with a 46 page instruction book.

Key points:

• Fully examinable
• Readable from cover to cover
• A book that people will know and recognize.
• No fishing, peeks, glimpses, stooges, or sleight of hand.
• Suitable for stage and close up work.
• Includes Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde book, along with 46 page concise instructions.

 
Is it well made: The paperback looks exactly like one of those books you pick up to read in school. My suggestion would be to make the book look worn-in.

Is it well taught: The book you get is fully extensive with photos, charts and bonus handlings.

My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I liked that I was able to do one of the effects straight out of the box within minutes of receiving the book.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?" Just put it on your bookshelf in your home and you are always ready to perform a effect for a group of friends.

Does it "play big?" Olgard and Jonas have given you a wealth of effects with this single book, and in order to get the most bang from this, you are really going to have to do your homework.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Like I said earlier, the book becomes more practical the more you memorize, memorize, memorize.

Overall score: 10/10 I have never seen a better book test

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba0vEMFv4ss

 

Title: Gambler VS Gambler
Creator: Peter Woerde          
Publisher: Vanishing Inc
MSRP: $30
Skill Level: Intermediate
DVD Run time: 9 minutes

Type of effect: Gambling routine

Manufacturer's Write Up: With this routine, you are the master of the card table. You can cut to four-of-a-kind, change the hand, and then transform it into a Royal Flush in Spades.

This elegant routine has a beginning, middle, and fantastic ending, and within three minutes, you prove to your audience that you can do anything with a pack of cards. Few routines have the potency and impact of "Gambler vs. Gambler," and this special package comes complete with everything you need to perform, as well as an in-depth explanation video starring Joshua Jay.

How accurate is the ad copy? This is exactly what happens, however to perform the effect as demonstrated in the video you will have to make some sleight changes to a standard deck of cards (also covered in the teaching)

What's in the box? Includes DVD and specially printed Bicycle playing cards (add them to any color "standard deck").

Key points: Quick, direct and puts the power of a solid gambling routine into your hands

How are the production values: Well shot and edited, lots of angles, HD camera and nice location. (no live performances)

Is it well made: This could not be made any better

Is it well taught: Joshua Jay goes over everything you need to know, he even spends extra time covering the sleights involved. The DVD is about 9 minutes long.

My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I loved the idea that armed with only 5 cards and the knowledge of a few sleights, you could produce 3 different changes.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?" Perfect packet trick or can be used in conjunction with a standard deck of cards

Does it "play big?" Audiences love gambling routines

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Absolutely, this is a real worker, all you need to know how to do is the Ascanio spread.

Overall score: 9/10

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHaTt2hav6k

Title: Mentalists Symbol Pack
Creator: Anton James
Publisher: Magic Estate
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: Intermediate
DVD Run time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Type of effect: Deck of cards for performing mentalism

Manufacturer's Write Up: MSP is a new tool for the world of mentalism! Crafted to make it easy for you to perform a plethora of powerful mental effects. This special pack handles like a deck of cards and features custom artwork specifically created for mentalism.

How accurate is the ad copy? Spot on!

What's in the box? Deck  of cards which consists of 26 cards and 26 extras, duplicates and gaffs. You also receive a paper pamphlet that contains a URL to the instructional teaching.

Key points:

• Straight Forward mind reading.
• drawing duplications.
• impossible predictions.
• Memorization routines, Readings and More.
• KILLER applications for stand up and close up.
• 26 symbol cards.
• 26 additional cards and gaffs for even more effects.

 
How are the production values: All of the videos are shot with a camera on a tripod, shot against a curtain backdrop. There are no extra angles or views. The music is kind of a "haunting piano" sound, but it's not distracting.

Is it well made: the deck is a special synthetic polymer manufactured from a "secret" deck maker that Anton is not revealing. However, the deck is water proof and virtually indestructible.

Is it well taught: Anton is a very articulate teacher and is enjoyable to watch

My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I love that this is putting mentalism into the hands of a card performer and that you can take what you already know about cards and turn it into a working mentalism routine.

Storage? Does it "pack flat?" Absolutely, all you need is your packet of cards

Does it "play big?" Mentalism is so hot right now and so I think anytime you can "read someone's mind, it will always play big.

How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Absolutely, these are all "working" real world effects for both the parlor, walk around and even stage environments.

How original is this idea? Mentalists have always used pictures and or cards, but this deck is a wonderful marriage of both.

Overall score: 10/10

+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D04VnJSTVVk