Amazing Jumping Arrow

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Amazing Jumping Arrow

Postby Farlsborough » Nov 30th, '07, 05:02



Mark K. Young's "Amazing Jumping Arrow", by Meir Yedid Magic.

The Effect What they say:The Amazing Jumping Arrow is destined to become a classic. Crafted from aluminum specifically for this effect, then anodized and engraved, this elegant prop produces a beautiful routine in which a variety of amazing, amusing visual effects take place - each more incredible than the last. Best of all, the paddle can be handed out for examination ar the routines conclusion!

You start off with a paddle blank on both sides... then an arrow (engraved and highlighted) appears on one end. The arrow moved to the middle, then to the far end. It's shaken from spot to spot, then slid.It multiplies, and even jumps about on its own volition. In one wild sequence, the arrows on the paddle refuse to cooperate and apparently lead one another from place to place! Finally, and arrow is visibly split in two and the paddle is hanged out for examination. The Amazing Jumping Paddle is easy to do and produces not one moment of magic...or two...or three but a symphony of entertaining eyeball-poppers that will make this trick one you will carry with you - always.


...Or check out the performance on YouTube.(Note: slightly cheesy Meir Yedid presentation!)

Cost £9.99 from Alakazam


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, it's the paddle move, so how long's a piece of string?!
Definitely not a 4 or a 5...
Does the paddle move count as a sleight? It's not self-working, you need to learn a move, but it happens to be very easy although practice is required to make it really nice and smooth. 1 or 2.


Review

Price-wise, it's excellent value. Considering the price of the more sophisticated paddle items, especially if you start splurging on Porper stuff, I think £10 plus postage is a great deal. It's a simple piece of kit, but the quality is excellent - the rod is aluminium, black, anodized (quite why it needs to be I don't know...) and engraved, so the arrows will not rub off. Also, because the rod is (sort of) matt black and the arrows shiny, they catch the light beautifully, so if you are in slightly dim surroundings but angle it so the arrows glint it's even more magical. I have no idea about durability - I've only just got it, but there's no reason it shouldn't last a life-time - kudos to Meir Yedid for making it in metal and not plastic. It's only light, but it feels like a quality prop.

The instructions are by David Regal and are step by step with B&W photo illustrations. However, I'm coming from the point of view of being comfortable with the paddle move, so I only really skim read them, reading the patter lines in italics to keep up with what was supposed to be happening.

The routine itself - a lovely piece of visual magic. I have found myself doing it in the mirror, even though the paddle move is as old as the hills. The size and rectangular cross section make it an absolute joy to work with, and very suitable for visual "shake" changes, which is really what the routine is based on - I think the way it is presented as something hopping is both delightful to watch, but also gets away from the slighty suspicious and predictable paddle plot of doing something, then showing the other side has changed sympathetically - the routine has real pace because the arrow is contantly jumping, sliding, misbehaving - although it can only really be presented as an artifact in itself, ie. a rod with a jumping arrow on it, the scope is still wide for your own style of presentation, confused, amazed, annoyed etc.
There is no spectator interaction, no "hold this", "choose this" or "which way do you want it to go?" And to be honest, I don't mind that - it's a lovely thing just to watch, and is ideal for the shy but curious older child, something to break the ice with on the train etc. but could play to a small table.


Overall
I'll be honest, I thought twice before reviewing this because I worry that everyone will get one and next time I bring it out, I'll be met with "oh, I've seen that." It's a one trick pony, but it's good, I think the best paddle product I've come across. It fits neatly in any pocket you care to mention, probably in your wallet if you really wanted. It's simplicity and elegance are it's strong points - unlike many paddle items I've come across, it just doesn't feel "gimmicky" - and the fact that magic is happening every 10 seconds or so throughout the routine.
I know this will stay in my pocket all the time, incase someone asks to see some magic and I want to entertain them but frankly can't be arsed to start palming coins etc - it's a stand alone, pique their interest kind of thing.

A rating is a difficult thing to offer - some people just don't seem to enjoy paddle move tricks, and after all you are just making an arrow jumping around, you're not reading minds or floating tables. But for what it is it's strong, and for the price, you can't really fault it - 8.5/10


How I came to buy this effect:
I've become more interested in paddle move effects since the variety of effects that have come out using lighters. So I typed in "paddle move effects" to google and found a thread on MagicCafe (boo hiss!) where people listed their favourites - I then went through them one by one to find one that would suit me.
There are some really good ones, but having seen this video, this one impressed me the most. It is simple, easy to follow and doesn't need some complicated back story or explanation, it doesn't require sleeves, rubber bands, coins, it doesn't require choosing colours or counting crystals... I think out of all paddle move products, it's simplicity lends it a certain elegance and makes it a beautiful piece of "face value magic", and to me is only second place in terms of paddle move routines to the colour changing knives. Unfortunately, a decent set of those is £70...


Farlsborough
 

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