The Trailer

While it has been months since we had a product review, the RDM team will be doing our very best to keep these coming! Let us know if you enjoy reading our articles! We’ll really appreciate that. (:
“Warning” by Kostya Kimlat is a tricky one. Although I won’t go far enough to call it a worker, it has a lot of potential. This article is more than just a product review. I sincerely hope that you’ll read on and find out more. At first glance many may dismiss this as just a smart use of the flash paper. But to others, this is a real gem. The plot is simple, and above all it uses fire!

“I merely always begin with fire and a production. No words, just magic. That immediately grabs their attention, lets them know I’m a magician and prepares them for some entertainment.”
-Jim Pace, Magic for Restaurants

In the real world, it’s challenging to find an effect that is quick, visual and appropriate for an opener. “Warning” is one of those effects that accomplishes all three and on top of that, it packs right in your pocket. What you see is what you get. You can perform this effect in an instant if u know how to execute the simple paddle move and light up a piece of flash paper. There’s little to tell you about the effect. You peel the warning sticker off a lighter, light it up, and it magically goes back onto the lighter. I never thought much of this till I showed it to my family. For the first time in a long while, their eyes literally lit up. It’s amazing! Sometimes we forget about looking at an effect from the spectator’s point of view. It’s a dangerous trap we can fall into if we lose sight of why we’re performing. So always keep that in mind! Sing the songs they want to hear!

Should You buy the effect?
“Warning” isn’t an economical alternative for flash paper. While refills are available at the price of $30SGD for 100 pieces, the shipping cost is just as much. You do the math. To add on to that, this is also an effect that requires a good amount of effort and time to reset. Perhaps I’ve yet to work out the right system to go about with this, but the bottom line is that “Warning” isn’t as impromptu as it may look. For strolling magicians, this may be troubling.

Why did I get it? I really admire Kostya Kimlat. Many would know him for his roadrunner cull. For me, I just can’t help but love his take on restaurant magic. Won’t it be amazing if a system like this could work out locally? Quite a dream for many amateur magicians these days! If you’re one of them, who dream about working as a magician, sign up on his site! Over the weeks, you will receive short clips of the man himself talking about the business side of magic. This will most certainly put you in the right direction and help you progress further in your goals.

Thanks for reading thus far! I hope that you picked up a thing or two from this article. “Warning” isn’t a cheap investment, but it is worth what its price. If you need more information on the product, leave a comment below or email us and I’ll get back to you.

“Go with the classics, and it’s hard to get it wrong”. Not impossible, just hard.

The 5 or 6 card repeat is one of the more common routines we’ve seen on stage quite often. And its also an effect where one can easily bore the crowd with.

While there are countless versions in the market, Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat is a combination of two things. It’s a card repeat plot put together as a “Teaching Act”. Most of us understand this better by associating the presentation style to the classic “Vanishing Bandana” (and also the recently released “Shoe Business”) . Anyone who’ve done enough research on kids market or looked up for stage workers will come across “The Mystery of the Vanishing Bandana”.  It has been performed by several brilliant artist.
Here’s one performed by one of my favourites, Justin Kredible:

As some may say, if Copperfield does it, it has to be worth a try. Having said that, there are several limitations for such effects particularly in our state. In Singapore, not many can relate to the term Bandana, and thus the main punch line is ruined. To add on to that, for the effect to work well, it still requires much audience participation which is not easy to negotiate from some Singapore audiences. It IS a LONG and draggy effect.

So how different is the 5 card repeat?

1) Shorter Routine
As mentioned above, the vanishing Bandana is really a long draggy routine on stage. 5 seconds on stage can feel like 5mins and 5 mins on stage will feel like hours. Paul Romhany’s routine lasts for about 2mins. It’s perfect for an opening and just enough lines to get a laugh. Silly Billy once mentioned that comedians judge their act based on the the laughs they get per session. With this recorded presentation, its easy to gauge the audience response at the right beats.

2) Easy to understand Humour
Personally I feel that the Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat has a very different comedic effect compared to “The vanishing bandana”. And it works better for us Singaporeans too. For the Vanishing Bandana, people crack up because the magician is having trouble with the instructions. For the 5 card repeat, the magician is frustrated with the the cards and you can see his emotions building up. That reminds me of what Tommy Wonder mentioned in “Wonderized”.

“Everyday theatres are filled to the last place, and people who see the show, what do they see? They see people who have conflict with each other, or with the world,or with themselves & emotions that come out of that. And people pay good money for it…. This principle of emotions and conflict has been around for thousand of years and its still effective. So maybe if we put that into magic, magic will also be effective.”

Putting aside the presentation of the 5 card repeat (which is really what you’re paying for at that price) the handling of the effect is also as worthy.

One of the few reasons why I was never impressed with the effect is with its handling. Many of the methods involves a false count; pushing off a chunk of cards, and counting it as one. We all know a false count when we see one. So that really wasn’t for me. Further more, some versions require you to hold the pack in a rather awkward fashion, just to facilitate  the count. Of course, there are still several outstanding performers using the above mentioned handlings and having much success. A good example would be Michael Finney who uses it as an opener. It’s fast, direct and entertaining to watch. Wayne Dobson too has a good presentation to go with it as an opener. Wayne Dobson’s 5 card Repeat:

You do however need a dynamic personality like theirs to pull it off half as well as these brilliant performers.

Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat is clean as a whistle. While it’s really a palour/stage effect, I can imagine it done close up with a bit of work. But that’s hardly the point. (P.S. THIS right here is a brilliant performance of the classic plot adapted close up style, thought I’d share it to other hobbyists who really doesn’t care much about palour/stage effects but are still reading.

Paul Romhany’s handling is however a gimmicked version of the effect that allows for a natural handling of the cards for a trade off.

The Gimmick:
I swear I am not exaggerating here. But it took me less than 5mins to gather the materials and to make myself an extra set of gimmick. The construction of the gimmick is included in the teaching. The method can be applied to jumbo cards as well. (One of my main concerns were whether I could make my own refills and apply the method to jumbo cards) Further more, its a perfect way to use up the aged cards. You may have chucked away in your cupboard. I’ve been using the same gimmick over 10 performances including practice sessions and it still works like a charm. To sum it up, the gimmick is flexible, easy to make and almost cost free.

Closing thoughts:
Throughout my performances, many have asked “How did You do that”. While it shouldn’t be the first comment you get from people, since the main focus of the effect is with its comedic presentation. The compliment convinced me even more that the handling is as important as the effect.
There may have been much emphasis on presenting an effect. Having said that, we should also keep in mind that its barely a trick if it fools nobody.
Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat IMO is a worker. The only few disadvantages would be about the need of a sound system for it to work at your birthday parties or stage shows.

If you’ve ever considered performing the Vanishing Bandana, but held back due to its presentation, choose Paul Rohmany’s 5 card repeat. It packs SMALL, and plays big. (:

WOW Factor: 6.5/10
It is still the 5 card repeat plot which can be mundane. But good enough for an opener to build up the rest of the shows. I never felt that an opening effect should be so perfect that it builds up too much expecation. As how Pambudi puts it across, (one of the few entertaining mentalist who has excellent showmanship put it) “Promise less, but deliver more”. So really, I think this works well enough for an opener.

Durability: 7/10
You have no worries about refills anyway!

Value for Money: 4/10
I’ve always felt that such effects are over priced, You get a dvd with an audio track and it cost you a bomb. Some justify the price by saying that its to keep kids away from the good stuff. While it is a worker, you are still going to feel that you paid a little too much when it arrives.

Overall Rating: 7/10

I probably haven’t addressed all concerns you splendid reader may have. So feel free to leave a comment if you’d like to know more. And I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you, on the subject.
- Jasper Lee,

So here, now, today, You’ll be reading about effects that work. Effects that I’ve had experienced with and talked about with other performers. In an ATTEMPT to give back to magic, more effects crowned as “Workers” would be reviewed on RDM on a monthly basis.

Workers Review : Miser’s Dream Granted

As an avid coin worker, it has always been my dream to bring the beauty of coin magic on stage and in parlor situations. To my knowledge, with the exception of Jumbo coin manipulation, the Miser’s Dream is the only routine/plot that has as much visual & auditory impact, worthy of stage.

I first saw the classic effect performed by an experienced overseas magician performing at Singapore Kite Festival. He was exceptionally entertaining to watch and its noted that his coins were HUGE! As always, a kid was asked to be his “Sorcerer Apprentice”, much popularized by Jeff McBride’s Routine.

Subsequently I noticed how many other magicians had similar routining.

Eventually I met Sherman Tang, who was kind enough to talk to me about the “workers”. As a full-time professional with an established name for himself both for corporate clients and in the children’s market, his words were golden to me. This was were I got introduced to “Miser’s Dream Granted” which was also part of my wishlist after watching Ponta the Smith performing with it with such grace and elegance.

And finally, after years of saving up (Okay, I am kidding. But it did cost quite a bit), I forked out enough $$ to get a set for myself.

Miser’s Dream Granted comes along with a gimmick, a DVD Teaching by the late Mikame himself, and also 20 beautiful palming coins. The only problem was that it came without a bucket. If You’d like to learn more about the type of bucket to use, do check out a run down by JC Sum and Magic Babe Ning here:

In my case, I settled with a simple steel bucket that cost me under $10 from a store that sold kitchenware. Its very much worth the money, and it looks just as pretty.

Misers Dream itself is a routine that doesn’t require earth shattering sleight of hand. Having said that, to be able to control the coins, and coordinating with the sound of it dropping into the tin can be tedious. Misers Dream Granted can be seen as a solution to this problem. It allows for the magician to start clean (with nothing in his hands) and with the tin on the table. The gimmick is simple to use and easy to install on the bucket. Just your daily adhesive (blue tac) will work.

When I first worked with Misers Dream Granted myself, I was very disappointed. But the more I played around with it, I saw its potential and it was definitely a keeper. Trust me on this. A self contained Misers Dream saves ALOT of hassle.

So here’s the run down:

1. The Gimmick
Its a flesh colored gimmick that is precision made for the palming coins provided.
Of course it also be used for our half dollars etc. I don’t see how anyone could
spoil it even with rough handling. So no worries about broken gimmicks even over
time.

2. DVD Teaching
Mikame goes through a step by step lesson that is easy to follow for any level of
performers. I personally found the effect quite self explanatory and You would
probably too. Having said that, going through the practice sessions with Mikame does
make it easier to work with.

3. Twenty Palming Coins
One of the huge reason I justified with myself for the price of the effect is for
the coins. These 20 palming coins are half the thickness of your usual half dollar
and it shines like silver. While your audience may never get to handle the coins,
I’m appreciative of the simple design on it. As the saying goes, ‘when you look
good, you feel good’. When you’re confident with your coins, it shows.

Final Verdict:
Whether You’re already doing Miser’s Dream or not, I think that this is one effect
You’d be glad to have in your show. I do not however recommend this hobbyist because
there’re probably no close up situations that are good for this. If You find a
reason to carry a wine bucket around, You don’t need another reason to get Miser’s
Dream Granted.

WOW Factor: 10/10
(Let me explain. There is something magical about producing things from thin air.
And when its money, its even sweeter. There’s always a reason why a classic is a
classic. You will get your reactions from Misers Dream.)

Durability: 10/10

Practicability: 7/10
(As mentioned, this is not for the hobbyist. Having said that, its very
practical for any performers doing the Misers Dream because for once, its absolutely
self contained)

Value For Money: 4/10
(Its obviously too pricey.)

Overall rating: 7/10

I probably haven’t addressed all concerns You splendid reader may have. So feel free to leave a comment if you’d like to know more. And I’d be more than happy to have a chat with You, on the subject.
- Jasper Lee,

A good friend of mine told me that one of the strongest effects in magic suggests to the audience that the magician possesses supernatural abilities. Its the reason why mind reading, or psychics hold much appeal to the public. When the effect takes a more visual nature, like that of levitation, it hits the top of the chart.

While in close up magic, there are not a lot of routines that allow for scrutiny yet retain its mystery and enchantment. Having said that, one particular effect has always been tempting me on the shelves. As a serious hobbyist or professional performer, You surely have seen it more than once in your mundane research at home. This was often known as a classic in magic. & then popularized by recent retailers. The most memorable time I’ve seen this was in SOMA’s Phone Act. The ability to produce smoke.
(NOTE: If You’ve not seen Soma’s Phone Act, do yourself a favor and check it out. It may just change your life. )

Before I go ranting on, I shall at least pronounce the purpose of this writing. In a short while (a few lines more) You will be reading a review on “SMOKE by Alan Rorrison”. There have been much speculation and critique on the product. As an owner of the device, here are my honest opinions from both sides of the scale.

As mentioned in the first quarter, being able to produce smoke is one of the most magical thing you can ever accomplish as a magician (if performed well of course). The  reason why producing smoke has not been as popular can only be because of its tedious set up. There are other smoke devices in the market like “Ultra Smoke 2000″, “Smokey Magic” & a few more. While I do not own any of them, I’ve done a fair amount of research to conclude that the required preparation and cost was not worth my investment..at the moment. If you’ve seen the trailers, you’d agree that both looks beautiful in the right hands. As a utility device, the possibilities are endless.

Comparing these with “Smoke”, the effect is downplayed & less flexible. However the principles are the same. You’re producing smoke which by its nature has a very magical touch. At its price, with practically zero set up, this PORTABLE device was too much to give a miss. So I bought it.

It came in perfect condition, arrived in less than two weeks from Penguin Magic. There were no hassles, no post offices, no polices. It arrived right at my door step. Within less than an hour, I find myself practicing in front of the mirror, addicted to what it accomplished. There is no doubt that You will receive what is promised and you will too be able to perform what is shown in the trailers.

Not only did it pass the “wife test” the visual nature of the effect attracts alot of attention when done in an impromptu setting.

So what are the good points to this?

Advantages
1) Portable
This has to be the top reason why close up magicians should get a hold of this. It is basically a small “device” that You carry all around with You. Like your keys, wallet, PEN..etc. Its like holding on to a small miracle in your pocket. Sounds tempting enough?

2) Almost Zero Set Up
The move is done right in front of the spectator. There is no preparation, no reset required. So just take it out, and perform. Sweet.

3) ONLY Practical Smoke Device in the market
Disclaimer: To the best of my knowledge & from personal experience.
As mentioned earlier, the other smoking devices in the market requires more exaggerated set-ups and even restricts the choice of clothing. “Smoke” on the other hand, can be done naked. So if You’ve been thinking of having this effect in your repertoire, this is it. At least for a trial before getting the big guns.

4) Safety
Some of the other smoke devices were said to be rather hazardous. “Smoke” can be handled safely and it is claimed to be safe for the human body. Many have speculated quite a bit on this point, but I am happy to tell you that I am very much alive, and to start with, You should really have other materials to rely on than just excessive use of “Smoke”.

These are the good parts to it. Now, here are the rest of the ugly truths. I’ve to say that I did not regret buying the effect. & till today, I believe that it has much potential depending on the creativity of the performer.
It is hard to point out on the most obvious flaw to it without exposing part of the secret (which really is very much already exposed over the net)
Let’s just say that the move required for the routine, is also a move that is exposing the secret. Especially if the routine is not well structured. Don’t get the wrong idea that one could FLASH while performing “Smoke”. You can almost say that its completely angle free.

So here are its flaws, and You be the judge.

Disadvantages
1) Non-Justified Moves
In my opinion, the routine suggested in the DVD is not enough to cover up the “move” required for the effect to work. The entire routine lacks justification and presentation with the cleverly disguised prop. It is probably a personal preference. The effect in the DVD is is still much suited for hobbyists or professionals in close up situations. & it is still a “WOW” seeing smoke produced.

2) Refills
Yup. That’s right. Nothing good lasts for ever. It is also what keeps the good effects away from lazy magicians I guess. Effects like Loops, Kundalini rising etc all require refills every now and then. & they don’t come cheap. The good thing is that the order comes with about 5 refills. & so far, I’ve yet to touch any.

Final Verdict:

Its really up to the performer whether it suits his or her presentation ideas. I can imagine a friend performing this and getting away with it because of his style. I will think that younger hobbyists should find this cool to play with & it is. If you’re looking for a reputation maker, this could jolly well be it for you. As I said, producing smoke is probably as magical as it gets. (:

WOW Factor : 9/10
Durability : 7/10
Practicality : 9/10
Value for money : 6/10

Overall rating: 7/10

A large domino is removed from a vinyl holder. The spots are magnetic and can be freely moved. You claim lots of people think that magic is done with mirrors. As you say this you remove a small mirror from within the holder. The spectator is asked to move the spots and make any domino they like. NO FORCE, no wording etc they move the spots anyway they like.

Let’s assume they make a 4-2 domino. You say you had a prediction made before they chose their domino. I will prove that magicians use mirrors for their tricks. You stand the mirror in front of the domino saying look in the mirror and you will see my prediction.

This always gets a laugh or a groan. They are looking at a reflection of the 4-2 they made. Ok, but I did make a prediction. They turn over the domino and on the other side PRINTED is a 4-2 domino.

Sounds impossible but true, Fits into your pocket, no reset spot on is always SPOT ON.

Easy to do, works every time. Comes with an instructional DVD.

THE REVIEW:

What you will need:

• Gimmick which is included in the DVD

Method/Difficulty:

This is probably one of the easiest trick to perform. I took the gimmick out and figured out how it works before even watching the demo video or instructional video. The instructional video, which is about 5 minutes long, was short and to the point. The instructional video was straight and to the point. It covered only the general handling of the trick, which leaves room for individual creativity.

Practicality:

This trick is compact, easy to do, and resets instantaneously! You can be all set and ready to go with this decent routine literally in MINUTES. The use of the patter on Dominoes, however, might be lost in Asian countries as they are unfamiliar with the term.

I actually reworked the patter and performed it close to 10 times. For something so simple, the reactions I got was actually unbelievable, though not superb. You do not even need to practice to be SPOT ON! (pun intended haha)

Overall:

Beyond the relatively lousy packaging, Spot On is a routine that is simple to do yet effective. It also teaches a simple magic/mentalism principle that even the most experienced magicians/mentalist employ in their acts. I was brought back to a world where magic was simple and direct, unlike all the elaborate explanations that are emerging now. It was highly refreshing and fun!

Recommended for: Beginners in Magic that need a sure-fire trick!

6.5/10 (Decent Buy)

This Trick is Available @ Magic Boutique

Do support our very own local shop selling original magic products

THE ADVERTISED EFFECT: A Joker is isolated inside the card case – everything is completely fair – with the card in full view it instantly changes into the signed selection which is then fairly dumped out of the box and handed out for inspection! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!

THE REVIEW:

What you will need:

Just a ordinary deck of cards. The gimmick is provided.

Method/Difficulty:

Those experienced with card magic will have no problem performing this effect. As long as you know basic card controls and do decent double lifts, the dvd will be yours to devour. The dvd also includes other variations as to how you may use the gimmick to produce different card effects.

Practicality:

Very good angles and very visual change. I personally love how open the change is. No sneaky movements or coverage. The isolation of the card also removes any idea of “card switching” after the change takes place.  The effect takes some time to reset. You do not end clean after performing the effect. The card that was changed can be handed out for inspection though.

Overall:

A visual card change effect. This can spice up your average pick-a-card card trick.

Recommended for: Visual attacks on muggles

7/10 (Above average)

This Trick is Available @ Magic Boutique

Buy only original magic products. Support Creativity and the art of Magic.

My Wizard Ring in all its style!

Available at Wizard Site and all leading magic dealers.

Singapore Price: $45-60 depending on foreign exchange rate

The Review

"My Preciousss..."

I bought the silver PK ring and have been wearing it for two weeks now to get myself naturalized to it. This is my 3rd attempt at a PK ring. My previous 2 experiences are really horrible I have to say. Both of them were the Incarnum PK ring because they were cheaper. I had them barely a week or two before both of them broke when I dropped them.

So I’m delighted to tell you that the Wizard PK ring I bought is still alive and kicking! OK lets start from the very beginning here:

• The Wizard PK Ring G2 comes with like all other wizard rings a book which contains a lot of useful information on what the ring is, how you should take care of it etc. It also contains 3 basic PK ring effects to start off your PK journey.
• The Wizard PK Rings are made from 100% Neodymium. Neodymium is well known to be the strongest permanent magnet around. Which is good because the magnet would retain it’s power over time!
• Even though its said that PK rings are really brittle and can break easily. I have dropped my ring a grand total of 5 times within 2 weeks but my ring is still as beautiful as ever! (Yeap each drop is so scary to me that I count all of them!) This is much better than the Incarnum Ring since they broke the first time I dropped them.
• They only offer the Wizard PK ring in 2 colors: Silver and Gold. So if you are a young magician gold would be out for you, leaving you with no choice but silver. Maybe they could make a Black ring for youngsters like me!
• As much as the magnetic strength is concerned. I have to admit that it is pretty weak compared to the other rings I have bought and tried before. This is largely due to the wedding band style which means that the ring is curved which makes the magnetic field harder to concentrate together.
• BUT this is actually awesome because I can hold my credit cards and wallets with the hand my ring is on without being concerned that the magnetic field would spoil any of my cards!
• A downside to the ring is that you can’t really wear the ring always. I mean you can’t wash your hands with it or you can’t gym with it either just to name a few. It is a hassle to take it out when you can’t it is inappropriate to wear it but all PK rings are like that.
• Lastly, the life time guarantee is awesome! “If your ring should become broken, as a good will gesture we will replace it for a nominal cost plus shipping”. – Wizard

In conclusion, the Wizard PK ring is the RING to get! I know that the price puts people off and that there are many other options available in this PK ring market.  Supermagnet Man, Incarnum, Vortex and many many more. But as the saying from SMC goes “You pay peanuts, you get monkeys!” I have to say that the Wizard ring have been really impressive!

Wow factor: 7/10

Durability: 8/10

Practicality: 6/10

Value for Money: 7/10

Overall Satisfaction: 7/10 (I’m loving it!)

Too little credit given to this brainchild by Jeff Mcbride which surfaced more than a decade ago. This idea stemmed the future of many similar ideas with slight modifications such as “Loops” by Yigal Mesika.

The premise was excellent: a card rises from the pack while held by a spectator, and any pack can be used. Everything I had heard from the description did turn out to be true. The spectator holds the cards, and you can use ANY deck you want.

The story that comes with the effect is an excellent story, and seems very well thought out, but when it comes down to it, its just the rising card effect, with the exception that this one is way easy to do, and leaves you clean as a whistle. The only real problem I had with the effect was the patter provided inside the instructional booklet. The patter may not suit your performing style and most importantly, this should not be presented as just a card trick, given its wide range of uses.

I’m going to recommend this effect, not because of the overall story, but because the trick itself has pulled some of the best reactions I’ve ever seen from my audiences. One fellow freaked out, threw the cards on the floor, and ran for the nearest exit. If you can find a copy, I highly suggest picking it up.

Wow factor: 7/10

Durability: 6/10

Value for money: 6.5/10

I bought this wand 2 years back after having difficulties mastering the wand spin ( drumstick spin ) move. This wand ended up serving me very well over this short time and accelerated my learning curve.

Weight

The weight is just right making it easier for beginners like me back then to learn the Vernon Wand Spin more easily. Because of its slightly heavier weight, once you mastered the Vernon wand spin, you can move on spin lighter weight objects like pens and sticks….although that’s what most Singaporean students do during boring lessons.

Also, the ability to do flourishes and a spin with this wand surpasses any other I have seen.The added look is just icing on the cake. The grip ensures the wand to stay in your hand (unless of course you throw it). And it gives you the security you need to do the flashy spins.

Show(iness)

When the wand was first witnessed by the public, they thought that it could spit fire and has some secret compartments to it. I said, “Yes, you don’t spend $55 for something that isn’t magical!” While the price is a little steep, I think it is well worth it if you like quality and control in your props. But this is one of things I’ve bought that I am so happy with that I felt it deserved an RDM review.

While some may not like the look, black with silver tips. I think it is more reminiscent of what people think of as magic wands than wood ones. And, believe it or not, I think it looks a bit classier than the wood ones. I have seen magicians in suits and they bring out their bright brown wand, to me, that doesn’t look that good. The colors don’t work. But this wand will work perfectly with a suit and since it is a bit longer I think gives it a classier look.

Troubleshooting

The rubber coating of my wand loosen recently ( refer to picture) and my wand was naked. No worries, Michael Ammar included in the instructions that you will receive, how you can restore the coating back just by using your oven. I followed the instructions and on top of that, moves like through the fist vanish and Vernon wand spin are taught in pictures which will be part of what you will receive, making your money go that extra mile.

Other functions

However the weight and length of the wand will not fit you if you intend to use this wand for wand manipulation routines like Shoot Ogawa’s or anything involved with the flip-stick move. Not that its impossible as i’ve tried before but you need really strong finger strength. Cheers!

Wow factor: 6/10

Practicality: 8/10

Value for money : 6/10

Overall satisfaction: 6.5/10 ( Not bad a deal but not good either)

]]> http://reddotmagic.com/mercury-wand-michael-ammar/feed/ 0 http://reddotmagic.com/my-jardonnet-wallet-aka-kaps-on-fire/ http://reddotmagic.com/my-jardonnet-wallet-aka-kaps-on-fire/#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:09:06 +0000 Godwin Tan http://reddotmagic.com/?p=59 By: Vogue

Jardonnet Wallet a.k.a. Kaps On Fire Review

Effect A card is freely selected and signed by a spectator, which is then returned to the deck and lost. The magician hands the deck to the spectator, and then removes his wallet. As he opens it, flames up to 8 inches shoot out of the top! He quickly shuts the wallet and sets it on the table. Money really can burn a hole in your pocket! After a moment, he decides to try again. He opens the wallet and it looks exactly like a normal, everyday wallet! Showing his hands empty, he opens a small zippered compartment and removes the spectator’s signed card!

• Normal Size – Fits Easily in Trousers Pockets!
• Hand-Made in France of High Quality Materials!
• You Can Use It As Your Everyday Wallet – Room For Money and Slots for Credit Cards!

After having used it for a year and a half, heres a description of my wallet now

Ignition compartment: It is still intact. Unlike previous concerns that the ignition compartment will loosen and detach over time, mine didn’t as i did not keep the wallet lit beyond 5 seconds. However, the lighter fluid seems to last for shorter periods; from 8 hours(2007) to 3 hours (now) . Another downside is that the splint wheel ignition doesnt set off the fire on my first attempts when the wallet was 1 year old.

Update: As of Sep 1st, my wallet has ceased to ignite. I am very depressed….My wallet passed on at the age of 1 years and 8 months old. =( I am currently sourcing for resources as i heard that the flint wheel ignition compartment can be fixed more easily as compared to a electrical fire wallet.

Card to wallet compartment: Card control and palming is required. The guiding system to get the card into the wallet is effective and fast without any fumbling.

Rest of the wallet: The cash and bills compartment is just like your normal wallet but if your currency is facing extreme inflation or your money is the size of A4 paper, this wallet would not suit you. Try searching for a file to store your money and hopefully it will also produce fire.

The most disappointing part of this wallet is the difficulty in holding coins. I used to keep my coins in the right back row holder used for keeping credit cards since it ran deep. However my wallet has worn and tore at the sides of my credit card compartments( refer to pictures). So out of 1000 commuters who pick up coins on the floor each day, i probably contribute to 30% of what they picked up. Don’t be mistaken, i’m a rather bad owner; I chuck my wallet wherever i go. I use it like it is a normal wallet. Others have asked me if i carry another NORMAL wallet. I mean the fire wallet is really MY WALLET. I DONT FREAKING carry one “normal” wallet and one fire wallet around, period.

Update: I just found premium hard leather and soft leather editions of the jardonnet wallet! I think the soft leather edition looks SLICK….NICE. Maybe if i cannot fix my current wallet, i’ll get the soft leather edition! Wait the hard leather edition looks dam cool too! Freak….the toughest choice after girls….jardonnet wallets…Available from your local dealers.

( Soft leather jardonnet wallet )

( Hard leather jardonnet wallet )

Ive had awesome response from my friends and the public from the fire that comes from the wallet as it can go really high at times, hitting 9 inches.

So overall

WOW FACTOR: 11/10

Durability: 5/10

Practicality: 8/10

Value for money: 8/10

MY OVERALL SATISFACTION? : 7/10 ( GOOD DEAL )

Troubleshooting:

If they want to check the wallet, i have the following suggestions:

Give them a mock explanation, showing them the normal compartment

OR Quickly open the wallet right in their face as if the fire is going to spew on their curious b#*%#(%( face. Then you can quickly laugh it off as a prank and they’ll be too scared shitless to ask again since they were almost disfigured. THERE YOU GO =D