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I would say that mine has deep score lines rather than scratches. The sides are masked very well, although if you look really closely there is a small circle but this would certainly not give the game away.

I have just found out the packaging too and it is called "Needle Through Brass Block"

I have just found a link to the version I own. http://chara.vm.bytemark.co.uk/~pknowles/display_products.php?sidebar=2%20&%20cat=Close%20Up%20Magic Scroll down to item 46.
You can see how deep the lines are and how they provide the much needed cover.

Those are clearly deeper lines, i can see that your version has much better cover than mine.

Anyway, did the trick for my grandad a moment ago. He didn't see anything about the brass. Also gave the brass to my mother and sister for a closer look, still they didn't find it.

Maybe some people just want to see how it is done and look better than the people who want to believe in magic ?

The other tip for this effect is to put a small peice of clear ScotchTape/SelloTape on the insides of the matchbox so there's no cardboard 'fluff' hanging down to get caught in the block.

My friend at work didn't even inspect the brass. He was looking for a way to get the brass in the matchbox after the pin was taken out again ...

Anyway, i just made some extra camouflage on brass by making some deeper scratches with a knife on the sides where the gimmick connects, than using a pencil i rubbed in some graphite to make them dark. Now i have several deeper and darker scratches instead of only one ... and made a cut in my finger magically appear when the knife slipped

all you have to do, is place the heat on the thing that penetrates, and away from the brass block.
That way, they will want to look at the box, and the needle.
Dont let them touch the block .

The other tip for this effect is to put a small peice of clear ScotchTape/SelloTape on the insides of the matchbox so there's no cardboard 'fluff' hanging down to get caught in the block.

I thought of doing this but why would you have tape inside an ordinary box of matches ? I think this just seems a little suspect.

IMHO you can't beat a nice neat trim !

why would you have tape inside an ordinary box of matches ?

You'd just use a small-ish square of clear tape (or even better, the 'invisible' 3M's tape) located on the inside where the specs wouldn't see it. No reason for them to look in there and equally no reason for you to show them the inside of the box either, just put it to one side out of the immediate line of sight whilst they look at the block and the drawer. The drawer would have to be left untouched as they would certainly be able to see that as you tip the block out.

In an effect where everything can be examined afterwards and you are left clean I don't see the reason for restricting how closely things can be examined.
Even though the tape would not reveal the secret (and could help prevent fluff biting ) I think that it would arouse enough suspicion to detract from this really powerful effect.
Just my opinion anyway.

just because everything can be examined, It doesnt mean that it should be examined.
If this style of magic is how you think all magic should be, then its probably a good idea to stop buying gimmicks, fakes, props ect, and perform 100% sleight based routines with borowed objects.


Think of it like going to see a play. The audience dont get invited around the back afterwards to see the lights, and the costumes.
Why? because The overall effect would be destroyed.

Hi - sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I had a couple of questions with this (great) effect.

I purchased my version from eMagicTricks - and whilst the quality is very good, I'm finding the block very difficult to "setup", which makes a quick reset almost impossible. Does anybody have any advice on how to perhaps lessen the required effort, or any comments on where to get a new one?

Thanks,
G

I don't think you would really want to, as to do so would increase the chances of a spec discovering the method whilst examining it.