Title: Untouched
Creator: Ryuhei Nakamura
Publisher: SansMinds
MSRP: $ 35
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Type of effect:  IT magic

Manufacturer's Write Up: Gain telekinetic abilities that can be used under any circumstance. 

A telekinetic routine that can be performed even in unsatisfactory conditions. Nothing will be able to stop you from performing this beast of an illusion! SansMinds is proud to introduce an effect brought to you from the mind of Ryuhei Nakamura, a master of telekinetic magic. He is famous for his ability to perform complex actions with the power of his mind. This is not just a simple push or pull - it is far more! 

This is Untouched! 

A weapon that will stop any passerby in their tracks! Create a show unique from the rest, with complicated actions normally not seen in other telekinetic routines. Use everyday objects, and make them dance with the power of your mind. This is truly a performance piece that is sure to gather an audience. 

Here's a truly special effect that is gaining immense popularity in the Far East. Don't miss out on getting a taste of the insane magic scene in Japan. 

Grab yourself a copy today! 

What's in the Box?  1 Untouched Instructional DVD  (Please note that this Instructional DVD has English subtitles with Japanese audio.) and you will need a thread reel and magician’s wax. This is an instructional DVD Only
 
How are the production values: SansMinds always makes great DVDs

Is it well taught: He talks about the different types of reels – suggests a center pull with alligator clips – he also talks about the best clothes to wear and where to hook it up. In a lot of ways this feels like an introduction to using it and thread reels, only it’s filmed in Japanese .
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
__X__ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts I would have appreciate either a lower price tag or this to have come with a mini reel. Also the language barrier made this DVD difficult for me to get on board with.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di5S9a98_Lw

Title: Travel
Creator: Mickael Chatelain
Publisher: Murphys Magic
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: All
Video Run time: 14 minutes

Type of effect:  Signed card vanishes from the top of the deck with no steal!

Manufacturer's Write Up: In the world of magic, there are THOUSANDS of tricks and as many gimmicks, each one crazier than the next... 

We're proud to offer you a trick using, as far as we know, a TOTALLY NEW gimmick! There's nothing like it on the market. That's why we're particularly proud to offer to the magic community our latest creation - TRAVEL! 

Take out your cased deck. Remove the cards from the case. Close the case and leave it on the table in full view. No one touches it! 

Show your spectators that the deck is completely normal. You point out that the cards have faces and backs and all the cards are different. 

Offer one of your spectators a FREE CHOICE of a card - he can change his mind if he likes. In short, there REALLY is NO force - the choice is 100% free. 

The card is placed face up on top of the deck and the spectator signs its face. You then explain that his card will travel from the top of the deck to inside the case! 

Show your hand empty and bring it over the card as if to make it vanish. But your spectator is not an idiot; he easily notices that you have palmed the card! In fact, the card juts out beyond your hand, fooling no one. OK, OK! 

You begin again, asking the spectator to watch closely this time. The card is replaced face up on top of the deck. The case is still on the table and your hand is empty. Everything OK so far? 

As before, you bring your empty hand slowly over the card. Your spectator burns your hand with redoubled attention, but this time, the card does not jut out. Your spectator wants to see your hand. You turn it over. IMPOSSIBLE! The card isn't there. Gone without a trace! It's not on the deck; it's not in your hand. How is this possible????? 

Explain that the card is now in the case! NO WAY, as the spectators will remember that the case has been on the table since the beginning of the trick! 

Show the cards remaining in the deck. Not a trace of the chosen card! 

Pick up and shake the case. You can HEAR there's something inside! Your hand is empty. You slowly open the case. You reach inside with your thumb and index finger and take out... the FREELY CHOSEN and SIGNED SELECTED CARD! 

How is this POSSIBLE? 

Pass out the deck for examination to prove there are no duplicates or other irregularities. 

No need to remind you that the card is STILL SIGNED - PROOF of its invisible passage! 

How accurate is the ad copy? I agree with the copy
 
What's in the box?  Device and matching colored card box plus extra material should it break and the download code

Key points:

• The deck is ORDINARY - Use your own!
• NO force! The chosen card is ORDINARY and UNGIMMICKED!
• NO palming - NOTHING is hidden in your hand!
• The card REALLY does seem to travel from the deck to the card case!
• EASY TO DO, as the gimmick takes care of EVERYTHING for you!
• Your spectators will THINK they're onto you, yet they'll be TOTALLY FOOLED!

 
How are the production values: You get 3 sections, a straight forward teaching of the routine in English or French, and then a silent section that gives you a close hand shot of the entire effect and then a tutorial at the end on gimmick repair.
 
Is it well made: It does seem well made, although my gimmick did not have the action that Mickael’s had in the video. My gimmick felt clumsy.

Is it well taught: I think 14 minutes was a little lacking, I would have appreciated more details on routining and more on troubleshooting the gimmick
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?" It all fits invisibly into your tuck case
 
Does it "play big?" This is a super easy card to card box
 
Difficulty / Skill level required: This is easily for all skill levels
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? Only if it breaks
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Like I said, my gimmick was clumsy, maybe with some more practice and breaking it in – it might work better, but Mickael made it sound like it should just “work” right out of the box.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
__X__ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
 My thoughts the trick is beautiful, and I bet a lot of people will be very happy with it. Initially was super excited to try it out, but the gimmick was slow, clumsy and it makes a noise when it moved. The “cover” you need to provide and the flash of the gimmick in motion I think would make a spectator suspicious.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kipKwL6RxE

Title: Tru
Creator: by Menny Lindenfeld 
Publisher: MS51
MSRP: $ 25
Skill Level: intermediate / advanced
DVD Run time: 1:12 (main video)

Type of effect: Rubberband magic

Manufacturer's Write Up:

From the creative mind of Menny Lindenfeld comes the most POWERFUL & VISUALLY STUNNING rubber band penetration effect you'll ever perform! 

A rubber band is wrapped around your forefinger. And while it's being stretched out, the rubber band literally PASSES THROUGH the center of your forefinger and LINKS ITSELF onto your middle finger. The effect is so visually stunning, IT LOOKS LIKE A CAMERA TRICK! 

Your fingers are open and fully exposed throughout the entire performance. The rubber band continues its magical journey, VISIBLY PENETRATING from one finger to the next. Making each phase gradually look more VISUALLY AMAZING than the previous. 

Finish this incredible effect with a BIG ending. Imagine the spectator's reaction, when you cause the rubber band on your finger, to VISIBLY PASS THROUGH and PENETRATE HIS OWN FINGER. 

Perform TRU in any impromptu situation. With your fingers fully exposed throughout the entire routine. It's 360° angle-proof and can be watched from any angle. Each phase of TRU can be performed as a stand-alone effect. Or combined into a multi-phase routine.

• Powerful & visually stunning!
• No covers - fingers are open and fully exposed.
• Rubber band visibly penetrates fingers, jumping from one finger to the next.
• Perform with hand palm up or palm down.
• RB penetrates SPECTATOR'S finger - while spectator holds end of rubber band.
• 360° angle-proof - perform fully surrounded.
• No gimmicks/100% impromptu.
• Five (x5) original methods, choreographed into a visually stunning routine.
• PLUS variations on the routine with borrowed earphones & hair-bands.
• HIGH QUALITY & LONG LASTING RUBBER BANDS INCLUDED! (Bands produced by Joe Rindfleisch.)
• Video tutorial (Download/Full HD 1080p/72 minutes).

In the tutorial, Menny Lindenfeld will teach you:

• FIVE (X5) original TRU methods.
• To perform with your hand palm up & down.
• Cause rubber band to penetrate through spectator's finger.
• Method variations & full routine.
• TRU variation with heavy-duty rubber bands.
• TRU variation with borrowed elastic hair-bands.
• TRU variation with borrowed earphones.
• PLUS FREE BONUS VIDEO DOWNLOAD! 

Here is my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvp5u58NKTo

​Title: Triple C
Creator: Christian Engblom
Publisher:
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Video Run time: 1 hour

Type of effect:  Gimmick deck

Manufacturer's Write Up: 1/3 the fat but all the awesomeness, Christian Engblom (1/3 of the Fat Brothers) is now sharing his most prized SECRET... a secret that he has kept for 24 years.  It's that good. 

Stop manipulating the cards. Start manipulating the audience.  Triple C, the CLEANEST way to control a card or several cards.  So clean -- there is even a hands-off version. 

Imagine letting the SPECTATOR shuffle the cards under test conditions. After a FREE selection, the spectator's FRIEND proceeds to read the SPECTATOR'S MIND correctly! 
No prearranged stooges! The spectator becomes an instant mentalist. 

Now be part of the 'inner circle,' using Triple C.  Are YOU going to fool everyone with it... or if you wait to buy it -- are YOU the one to be fooled?

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception.
 
What's in the box?  Deck of Bicycle cards (red or blue) / Exterior tuck case from the Expert Playing Card Company

Key points: This is NOT a Stripper Deck. This is a true utility deck that can be used as a normal deck. It can withstand close inspection.  Even magicians that KNOW it is gaffed have trouble finding it. 
 
How are the production values: This is Christian facing the camera sitting at a table. The room is dark, he is wearing a dark shirt and his voice is echoey. There are a few close ups when you need it.
 
Is it well made: The deck is beautifully made from USPCC – if you tried to make this yourself, I don’t know that you could get it THIS GOOD.

Is it well taught: It’s an hour of teaching over 10 videos, you’re going to learn how to control the cards you’ll learn a name reveal and a poker trick and a few others and you’ll also get a video on the history of the deck and some final thoughts.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  It is just a deck of cards, so… deck of cards “size.”
 
Does it "play big?" This deck has the chops to make you look like a master of card manipulation.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  I’ve seen a lot of back and forth on this, some have no difficulty at all, others say it takes hours of practice and THEN they get it, others I’ve read have NEVER been able to do it.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? None
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Nothing that would prevent you from performing with this in the real world.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
__X__ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts Christian Engblom is a student of Juan Tamariz and this deck comes with Juan’s “seal of approval” that should be good enough for anyone.

Also watch the live interview with Christian Engblom here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtuadDr-TgA

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avhWF1qRtcE

​Title: Four King Miracle
Creator: Henri White
Publisher: World Magic Shop
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level: All
Video Run time: 10:25 minutes

Type of effect:  4 card transpo

Manufacturer's Write Up: From the creator of The Souvenir, Henri White Presents Four King Miracle - Two jokers are shown front and back.  Visually, one at a time, the first two Kings appear in between two Jokers. As a finale, the final two cards also change into Kings. The Jokers have vanished from the packet! 

This leaves you with a Four King Miracle.  The effect is easy to perform, and you will receive custom printed cards so you can start astonishing others with this great little packet trick. 

How accurate is the ad copy? No deception
 
What's in the box?  Gimmicks and Online Instructions.

Key points: Very easy to do  - cards appear out of nowhere! Looks great on video and in real life.
 
How are the production values: Has loud background music throughout, which was a little annoying – but Henri does a good job teaching. Filmed against a black backdrop and black table. Good close up shots, shot well and well mic’d.
 
Is it well made: Bicycle cards and made well – Henri even tells you how to do a little upkeep on them,

Is it well taught: Henri does a good job with the explanation – owners of NFW and POKER TEST will be very familiar with how to perform.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  Great packet trick, store it in a pocket or card wallet.
 
Does it "play big?" It wow’d me the first time I saw it.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Very easy.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? None, but you will need to do some “upkeep” from time to time.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Oh absolutely.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
__X__ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
 My thoughts I loved this trick and will be performing this for sure!

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MxtqLSowPY

​Title: Moneymorphosis
Creator: Dallas Fueston and Jason Bird 
Publisher: Vanishing Inc.
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level:
Video Run time: 30 minutes

Type of effect:  Self folding bill

Manufacturer's Write Up:
 
This is, quite simply, one of the most impactful, poetic effects Vanishing Inc. has ever produced. A borrowed bill self-animates and crawls up your arm like a caterpillar. Then, it transforms into an origami butterfly! The folded butterfly can be immediately handed back to the spectator as a souvenir of an unforgettable magical experience. 

The best part is that the effect is practical. You can perform it surrounded, and although it uses threads, the approach is entirely workable and easy to manage, and can be mastered within minutes. 

Moneymorphosis is taught in detail on a video download of 29 minutes. This is the best self-folding bill ever devised, and is NOT something other magicians are doing. Get yours today... and add a transformational effect to your repertoire. 

How accurate is the ad copy? A borrowed bill? Sure, anything is possible with a switch.
 
What's in the box? Strong material and the download code for the video and a pdf template

Key points: You will need to provide your own bill.
 
How are the production values: Filmed well, good close ups and the audio is clear. Everything is shot against a black back drop for clarity. It does have repetitive background music.
 
Is it well made: You make it yourself.

Is it well taught: The beginning is mostly learning how to fold an origami butterfly with a dollar bill. (this is your only setup) There is a tutorial on how to perform the effect and then a bonus handling at the end on how to make the butterfly  … fly.
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  As flat as a folded bill…. and some other stuff
 
Does it “play big?” Things that fly or self-animate always play well with audiences.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Very similar to the traditional self-folding bill. (classic Stephen Schutzer ) Once you do your set up the performance is easy.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? You will need to “build” all of this from scratch, although it’s very little actual arts or crafts. (and build a new one for each subsequent performance)
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) Plays well surrounded
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
__X__ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts: It’s a good trick, not overpriced at $20 considering you get materials and a well done video. 

​Title: A New Angle
Creator: Ryan Plunkett & Michael Feldman 
Publisher: Magic Inc.
MSRP: $ 45
Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced
DVD Run time: 155 pages

Type of effect:  New tricks with a stripper deck

Manufacturer's Write Up: A New Angle is filled with magician foolers, hard-hitting practical effects for laymen, and off-the-wall new ideas to springboard your own creativity. Many of the effects are all three of the above. That's because the authors have dusted off a secret weapon that you probably already have buried in the back of your magic drawer:
 
The Stripper Deck (AKA the Tapered Deck, Shaved Deck, Wizard Deck). 

Written by Ryan Plunkett and Michael Feldman, photographed by James Murphy, designed by Heather Wood, edited by Susan Palmer Marshall and Pedro Nieves-Bosque, with a foreword by Lance Pierce.

By combining subtleties, sleight of hand and new ideas with this nearly forgotten tool that every serious magician already owns, Ryan and Michael will show you how to unlock mind-blowing effects you never thought possible. They invite you to work through the material proposed and search for your own angle in other overlooked places.
 
What is in the book? What’s it about?


“A tapered deck is not just for getting control over a single selected card. It’s not just for removing the black cards from the red, or the face up cards from the face down. It can hide any number of cards in the deck, up to and maybe even beyond half the deck. It can give you control over a selected block, create a break for you, simulate other gimmicked cards, unshuffle the deck, offer you a glimpse of the card, and much more. In this book, we’ll explore this wide variety of options.”
Ryan and Michael
 
I know what you’re thinking… hard back forty five dollar book about the stripper deck? Why? You can just buy the Encyclopedia of Card Tricks and get over 40 tapered deck tricks for $13.
 
Well… you’ve never seen a tapered deck book like this one, nor seen tricks like these.
 
Trust me.
 
Why is this book cool? It’s a collection of thoughts, principles and techniques regarding the tapered deck you’ve never even considered.
 
And this is one of the exciting things about magic in general. Once in a great while someone (or ‘someones’) comes along and forces you to look at something old in a brand new way.
 
Why is a stripper deck cool? Because it’s a gimmicked deck that does more than one thing – most gimmicked decks (gaff decks) only do one thing. You carry the entire deck around and it only does one effect.
 
So you can use it as a gimmick, but at any time you can simply do a NORMAL card trick with it. In other words – a tapered deck is cool because you can turn the “heat” on and off.
 
But, even more than that… Ryan and Michael are not just giving you some “new effects” – these are new – everything.
 
I watched Ryan perform a few of these tricks, and even though “I knew” it was a tapered deck and even though “I knew” the strip out move to watch for… Ryan still blew me away – probably MORE SO because I knew what to look for (or at least I thought I knew what to look for).
 
Like me, the tapered deck was probably one of your first gimmicked tricks you ever got.

And like me, you’ve probably since left it at the bottom of a drawer.
 
Are you ready for something exciting? Are you ready for a new angle?
 
In this book the authors discuss the misconceptions associated with tapered decks.
You’ll get a chapter about the cut of a deck and how to make your own deck with a card trimmer.
 
In the book you get 23 plots PLUS a whole lot of extras that either continue where the previous trick left off, or take it in a new direction. In the write up you get the perfect combination of technical and humor – plus you’ll never get lost. In other words, you won’t re-read a section in confusion asking, “What did I just read?”
 
Plus, the imaginary spectators are always named “Leah and Rachel.”
 
Did I mention 23 Tricks? (Here are a few I pulled out)
 
Collect Yourself – three spectators select cards. The cards are lost. The deck is shuffled.  Then the aces appear with the selections in-between them.
 
Shuffleupagus Redux – How about you shuffle the cards – show them shuffled and then place them in the box and hand the tuck to your spectators to shake (they’re in there!) but when the tuck is re-opened and the cards are spilled out – the deck is in new deck order.
 
Twin Peeks – this effect allows you to know the identity of any card your spectator peeks at as you riffle the corners.
 
Color Shift – a color changing deck routine
 
Trick Play – you fan 12 to 15 cards for a spectator and have a spectator “think” of any card – the spectator does and when the cards are spread again, only one card is reversed – the spectator’s thought of card.
 
There are other contributions from:
 
Nathan Colwell
Frank Fogg
Brian O Neill
Lance Pierce and Harapan Ong
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
__X__ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
_____ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
 My thoughts: I love books, I love hardbacks even more. This new addition to my library will be loved for years to come. You’re going to want to read this with a stripper deck in your hand – if you haven’t picked up a new one in a while – add one to cart along with this book. 

Title: Error 404
Creator: Les French Twins
Publisher:
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: 26 minutes

Type of effect:  Card transposition.

Manufacturer's Write Up: The French TWINS ARE BACK!!!! The French TWINS are known for creating powerful and innovative magic tricks! Visually transform, one by one, 4 torn pieces into the chosen card -- and then restore it in the spectator's hand! Have this superhero power in your pocket ready to perform ANYTIME and ANYWHERE. 

You don't have to do use cards. You can perform this with: predictions, business cards, papers, pictures... you name it! 

How accurate is the ad copy? You don’t have to use cards, IF you are willing to build new gimmicks
 
What's in the box?  4 tiny gimmicks already made (but they need a little distressing) and materials and instructions to make your own.

Key points:
 

• READY TO PERFORM 
• NO MAGNETS
• VERY EASY TO DO 
• 5 second RESET

 
How are the production values: Opening shot, two guys talking with French accents outside with techno music in the background – very jumbly hard to understand.
 
Is it well made: Yes it is well made.

Is it well taught: The explanation and performance are shown at the same time. I don’t think between the commercial and the explanations you ever see the full routine from beginning to end for a real audience. Which… that’s how I learn best. So when I don’t ever get a full uncut performance I feel cheated.
 
Your gimmick will come as 2 cards – the force card AND the miscalled card. To do the effect you will need a new copy of the miscalled card every time.
 
The twins offer you a few different trick ideas and transposition ideas, but … it all felt faced paced. They either talk too fast, or I listen to slow. A lot of the filming was done outside for good lighting, but the audio quality suffers for it.
There is even one part in the video where the phone rings and the performer runs off camera to answer the phone and they left all that in…. with dead space… the props lying on the floor….
 
Storage? Does it "pack flat?"  It’s 4 tiny “f_p” cards.
 
Does it "play big?" I suppose the way the trick is presented you can pick how best to present this. Personally, I would not do the “in the spectator’s hands” transpo as I don’t trust spectators – especially with my $30 fragile card prop.
 
Difficulty / Skill level required:  Practically self working, although you will need to know how to force a card and switch out 4 card pieces.
 
How much arts and crafts are involved? Only a small smidge unless you want to build your own.
 
How practical is this in the real world? (can it really be done?) I would do this as street magic – where I could throw my cards on the ground or maybe into a spectator’s stretched out jacket or shirt. Restaurant magic I would be worried about my gaff cards falling in someone’s drink or food.
 
Overall score: let's toss out the traditional score of 1-10 and make this something that we all can appreciate and understand.
 
_____ Very Satisfied
_____ Somewhat Satisfied
___X__ Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied
_____ Somewhat Dissatisfied
_____ Very Dissatisfied
_____ No Opinion
 
My thoughts It’s highly visual – I think it looks great on camera. I think the challenge is to create an effect that plays THAT good in real life.

+ Hey do you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas? Visit this link for my video review:  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1mSPXSms50