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Five Black Holes by Masuda

Available from http://www.alakazam.co.uk/acatalog/Masuda_Magic_-_UK_Alakazam_Exclusive.html#a454

They Say
Here is another strong visual effect from the creative mind of Masuda. You remove a hard plastic wallet from your pocket to show that it is empty. Closing the wallet, it is obvious to the spectator that the wallet is truly empty, as there are five holes going through said wallet, and if anything were in it, it would be visible. You shake the wallet, and suddenly and visibly, a card appears inside! You remove the card and show that it is solid with no holes. Those of you that are thinkers can visualize that this would be a very strong finish to your favourite selected card to impossible location. Truly amazing magic that is perfect for strolling, close-up or just for fun!

Cost

£44.99 - ouch

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)

Well I guess that Masuda would claim this is supposed to be a '1' but given that I have tried for hours to get the damn thing to work and failed miserably I'd have to say '6'


Review
Well I ordered this on the strength of the video and because I'd already bought 'Wow', which I reviewed here, http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic14371.php&highlight=wow+masuda, which I love, is easy to do and I have had some great reactions with.

Based on the technology behind 'Wow' I was expecting something quite novel behind the method involved in FBH.

So when I opened the FBH jiffy bag and saw what I'd actually got, I had a few initial moments of mild disappointment that the principle was fairly mundane, and the materials used so basic given the very high cost of this item. This rapidly led to downright frustration when for the life of me, I just could not get the thing to work properly at all!

I still can't! I've spent several hours shaking it every which way and all to no avail. It is pretty obvious what is supposed to happen. Its making it happen cleanly that's the hard part. Even if I could get it work just once, I still don't think I could trust it to work in a live situation.
I've thought about trying to do extra moves to force the effect but I think any attempt to try and force the outcome is going to look really suspicious.

I've already consigned it to the reject box where it has the dubious honour of being the most expensive item so far.


Overall
I just wish a black hole would come and swallow me up for having wasted so much money and time on something I can't even get to work.

This doesn't change one word that I've said about 'Wow'. I'll just be more cautious about buying other items from the same stable.