talkmagic.co.uk

Effect:

A cocktail stick, match, pin ( or anything similar ) a needle and thread would be good is pushed through a regular matchbox, which is likely to totally unimpress anyone, until you hand over the matchbox and show that inside is a fully examinable brass block that fills the matchbox.

Cost:
£19.99 from http://www.magictricks.co.uk/prodshow.asp?code=298

Or comes as part of a 5 trick set called the "The ultimate magic set" at £49.99 at:
http://www.magictricks.co.uk/prodshow.asp?code=656

It takes around 30 seconds to set and you will need to be on your own to reset.

Very easy to do with no real skill needed, except a little misdirection for a second or two as you hand them everything to be examined.

Has baffled those I've done this with and can be done one to one or surrounded by a group. Only slight set back is they always want to see it again now they know the match box contained a brass block and of course without a reset you can't.

All in all a pretty good trick, I'd give it an 8 out of 10.

Hi Toad.

This is a very nice effect. It has actually already been well reviewed here
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... enetration

Also it can be bought from emagictricks at
http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/product_i ... ts_id=3265
(£15.94)
or

http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/product_i ... ts_id=2501 (£18.95)

I must admit the version I have really is a little beauty. The only thing if anything I don't like is that you can sometimes get some noise feedback, but even so no one knows what it is.

There is also another version sold - can't remember where (maybe alakazam) where the brass block has a dimpled design - and I have been told (but have not seen for myself) that this is even better.

I do love this one.

Bananafish

Thanks for keeping a clean house!

Happy toad.... thanks for being a 'reviewer'...

Cadbury - thank Crunchie it's almost Friday...

Where's 'me pills...

Ah thanks Bannanafish, My searches are obviously less effective than I thought. I better get practising

I know everyone has seen this on the magic sites and apssed it by but it is a real corker to drop in the 'ol pocket on the way out to the pub...a very good, quikie "melon-twister"!

Tom Lauten wrote:I know everyone has seen this on the magic sites and apssed it by but it is a real corker to drop in the 'ol pocket on the way out to the pub...a very good, quikie "melon-twister"!

Gotta agree with you there - it's a real baffler this one. Out of all the people I've shown this to, not many people have sussed it

I got this aaaages ago and I never bother with it anymore (when I go out my pockets are usually full of other stuff so I've no room for this). My only problem with this is it's really only a 1 trick pony and the reset needs to be done with no-one watching and it takes a lil' while to reset

I am looking at purchasing this little effect, but have a quick question. I always carry around a box of wooden matches during performances, can this effect (any needed gaffs) be transfered into a box of my own, or does it have to stay in the box provided?

moodini wrote:I am looking at purchasing this little effect, but have a quick question. I always carry around a box of wooden matches during performances, can this effect (any needed gaffs) be transfered into a box of my own, or does it have to stay in the box provided?

This block can be used with a borrowed matchbox if needed - the only real issue you'll have is whether the brass block will fit into the matchbox.

I'm assuming that these blocks are all the same size. The minimum size your box needs to be is 48mm (L) x 30mm (W) x 9mm (H).
It fits snuggly into a normal size matchbox. If the box is too big, the block will rattle around inside the box and the trick will lose its effect 'cos people will insist that the pin (or whatever you use) didn't actually penetrate the block but in fact went around the side of it.

Any problems, feel free to PM me

well I finally picked one up......must admit that when I saw it performed ages ago on myself it was stunning, however;

Am I being too critical of the gimmick, is it simply VERY obvious to me because I know what I am seeing? I am assuming it is the old TT type of thing.....you don't see it because you aren't looking for it......is this the case?

Feedback would be great!

I suppose the gimmick is only as good as the maker can make it. I have seen different style blocks. Mine is almost plain...it does have a slight grained texture to it but apart from that it looks pretty darned clean. I have never had anyone figure it out...including an engineer...perhaps I was lucky but it is a time honoured trick so it must work for others as well.

Yes mine has a almost sanded look with all the grain lines going the length of the block........I guess my question to you Tom is:

"when you look at yours, does it look obvious to you, yet nobody else ever sees it?"

That is the way it looks to me.....I feel as though I will get caught every time, yet the few times I have done it the basic scrutiny has stood up!

I guess you have answered your own question.

Don't fall pray to magicians guilt.

Tom Lauten wrote:Don't fall pray to magicians guilt.

Too true!!!!!

Mine has the grain referred to and looks exactly like a scrap section of brass. The industry I work in uses a lot of brass bar etc and it looks exactly the same as this item. Definitely a TT type of thing, use it with confidence, don't let specs handle it too closely and just move on to your next miracle. Something else in brass such as Okito box, Die Cypher or something like that would continue the metallic theme.