talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

from the blurb
The performer displays an antique nail which he claims to be a relic from the cremated coffin of the dreaded vampire, Nosferatu. "A stake was driven through his heart, and the coffin lit ablaze," recite the magician, "but all that could ever be found among the ashes of the funeral pyre was this single nail." As it is held in the outstretched hand, the name Nosferatu is concentrated upon. "One can almost feel the nail becoming hot once again, and smell the burning flesh! A miasma of evil smoke can almost be imagined to be coming from the accursed nail!" As the performer speaks, and while holding the nail in the fingertips, it is seen to smoke and smolder! The performer drops the nail s if the heat from it has become unbearable. The nail can be handed out for immediate examination.

Comes complete with 2 nails, tin box and instruction sheet.

Nail Length Approximately 2 3/8" (6cm)

Tin Box Dimensions Approximately 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 2 1/2" (4.5cm x 4.5cm x 6.25cm)

Cost

£14.99
http://www.alakazam.co.uk

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)

1


Review

I thought this would fit in with a vampire routine as a little bit of an extra. Your basically paying for the nail and a method for making smoke. The nails do look aged, but not an old style if that makes sense. Also they don't look like they could be hammered into anything (health and safety department obviously decided they couldn't have any sort of a sharp point). The method for making smoke is perfectly alright, but doesn't come with that many strips of what you need to do it. This means you will need to buy more to repeat it pretty soon after buying. It also leaves mess so will have to be towards the end of a performance. It states the nail can be handed out for examination, this is true. However your hands can't be seen much from then on.



Overall

A bit pricey for what it is. It had led to a few other ideas, but not really worth the money. The method could work better for some other items, but it doesn't seem very subtle for this. If anyone has recommendations for producing smoke from fingertips please feel free to PM me.

5/10

Sounds like a nice little effect; it's a pity you don't rate it. I reckon Keith Hart could do a better job with this one.

Lincoln cathedral sells 12th century nails from the cathedral. I've changed the nails from this for one of those so it looks the part. The tin the nails come in play a part in the routine. This doesn't look the part either, so this needs changing as well, so now need to find a suitable box.

As for Keith I'm sure he would do more with it. I do object to buying something where I have to change the props supplied. I have changed props that came with Keiths products before, but that was more to do with the aesthetics I wanted rather than that I needed to. Maybe I'll buy his Draculea.