talkmagic.co.uk

http://www.penguinmagic.com/specialorderproduct.php?ID=10642
Case and point.

Wow... I can't wait to be endorsed by big names like those

Ian the Magic-Ian wrote:http://www.penguinmagic.com/specialorderproduct.php?ID=10642
Case and point.

You think that's bad, have you seen their hype for pen through dollar?! $30!

Mage Tyler wrote:

Ian the Magic-Ian wrote:http://www.penguinmagic.com/specialorderproduct.php?ID=10642
Case and point.

You think that's bad, have you seen their hype for pen through dollar?! $30!

unbelievable. And there was me spending $8.50 on Jay Sankey's Dough, so I could use an borrowed pencil and a borrowed note, both of which can be examined at the end. Clearly I need my head examined. I'm going to return it right away with a letter of complaint to Mr Sankey.

My STEALTH Pen order is on its way to those nice folk at Penguin. I wonder if they'll let me trade in my red sparkley jacket for a nice set of cargo pants and a tight vest top?

Also imagine the continous outpour of new "ultra kewl" decks that magician needs in order to look and feel cool as they perform randonly on the streets.

Let's see what they have so far in the last six months:

Bicycle Shadow Masters
Bicycle Black Ghost Deck 2nd Edition
Ultragaff Deck
Bicycle Centurions
David Blaine: Split Spades Lions
Smoke & Mirrors (Dan & Dave)
Bicycle Tragic Royalty

These are on top of my mind, I'm sure I missed out some. Imagine every "young magician" is quite excited to use his dad's credit card for the monthly hype these cards bring in. Since it's good business, it will never end.

Noodlesoup wrote:Bicycle Centurions

I haven't even heard of these!

I bought one pack of Split Spades, after reading the review on here. They are nice, but were bought purely for my collection.

The Tragic Royalty cards are not that great (the spot cards are a mid-grey, which really hampers visibility), but I got a couple of packs because they are absolutely perfect for a routine I do involving murderous Royals (it only uses the court cards, which are fabulous in this deck). The alleged black light glow seems almost non-existent.

I think a lot of these special decks are fine, so long as you have a good reason for buying them. As you say, if it's just because they are the latest cool thing (according to those who sell them), it's a waste of money.

I'm really struggling to think of anything great that came out in the last six months. The Extractor is very clever, but far from essential.

I've got to say that I am amazed by the number of different versions of the same plot that get put out, be it torn and restored card, cap in bottle or pen through whatever.

my three best buys of late are:

thought dial from jerome finlay
the new jinx..
and Gods with Feet of Clay vol5 by john riggs..

i've bought some dvds, but really just for research into some gambling sleights..plus simon lovell is always good value..

the rest have been deliberately old school stuff from eddie burke..

oz pearlman and some luke jermay and alvo stockamn stuff are the only things worth considering getting from the penguins in my opinion..

White Star from Merchant of Magic is a nice trick, that can be adapted to suit. I reviewed it a week or so ago here. Invisible from Jay Sankey is good value for money, there's lots of nice ideas for dusting down your ID (although you don't need to, because you get a nice new one with it).

Flow by Paul Harris is also very nice, that's just become available at a few British dealers, and Mark Mason has just released Decade, a new 2 DVD set, which if it's anything like his last one, it should be pretty good. I haven't seen it, but have all the others, which come recommended (although Flow is a bit pricey).

Also, there's a DVD that's been out for a bit called Visual Voodoo by Nate Kranzo, I don't own it, but saw 3/4 of it at my friends, and there's a very nice Voodoo doll effect with a playing card and a business card (card folds itself inside a card box when you fold the business card, then you burn the corner of the card, and when the spectator opens the business card, it has a burn on the same corner), also a nice coins across routine, and a few nice card tricks. I haven't seen many DVDs of this type, so can't really compare it with others, but it was very good, and well taught, but doesn't go into much detail of the common sleights (as per Dave Forrest's 2Faced).

thing is though..i think the trouble with some people is that get excited by the product blurb, and dont even think about how they can link the new effect in with their existing set..

i could just about see how Flow could link in with White Star..in a way at least..but i wouldnt wanna put them together (i know your not suggesting that anyway)..

but for anyone who does a gig, whether its for practice with friends and family..down the pub..or horror upon horror, to the paying public..then its always worth considering - "how can i put this all together cohesively?"

i have 3 sets now..one is my close up set..another is a jazz set (where i can mess with ideas as i go and develop them), and another is a small parlour set...but i can still link and pick and mix certain elements from each cos i've spent loads of my time working out how and why things should link together...

off topic now..i'll shut up...

not off topic really Iain, I think about the same things, but I have 2 lines of magic buying on the go at once. The first is for my children's show, I've just added a magic funnel/milk pitcher, which fits in nicely, but I see your point (although quite how Flow could fit in with White Star, I'll leave up to you!) The suggestions above are mainly for CUPS purchases, and for just buying for the sake of having something new/interesting to play with/watch. You're right about the seductive product blurb and/or video clip though...must resist...

Most stuff I have bought in the last year or so is all classics. Expert Card Technique, some John Bannon stuff and more Card College volumes.

Not sure when Past Midnight was released by that seems to be quite new-ish and good-ish.

Surfaced/Clipshift seems to be the latest and greatest piece of "jaw-dropping, visual" magic. My response: meh.

magikmax wrote:not off topic really Iain, I think about the same things, but I have 2 lines of magic buying on the go at once. The first is for my children's show, I've just added a magic funnel/milk pitcher, which fits in nicely, but I see your point (although quite how Flow could fit in with White Star, I'll leave up to you!) The suggestions above are mainly for CUPS purchases, and for just buying for the sake of having something new/interesting to play with/watch. You're right about the seductive product blurb and/or video clip though...must resist...

titanic..ability to control the force of nature that is water..Flow..

IAIN wrote:

magikmax wrote:not off topic really Iain, I think about the same things, but I have 2 lines of magic buying on the go at once. The first is for my children's show, I've just added a magic funnel/milk pitcher, which fits in nicely, but I see your point (although quite how Flow could fit in with White Star, I'll leave up to you!) The suggestions above are mainly for CUPS purchases, and for just buying for the sake of having something new/interesting to play with/watch. You're right about the seductive product blurb and/or video clip though...must resist...

titanic..ability to control the force of nature that is water..Flow..

ahh, well, yes, there is that I suppose.

Part-Timer wrote:

Noodlesoup wrote:Bicycle Centurions

I haven't even heard of these!

It just irks me that everybody says it is the best deck they ever had. It seems they keep on saying that on a monthly basis.

The David Blaine: Split Spade I've written there are the new releases called Lions. I have to edit that. It is different from the original release which I believe uses Tally Hos.

Noodlesoup wrote:

Those look absolutely horrible. Give me circle back Tallys or fan back Bicycles anyday. And in red or blue. None of this black rubbish.

I sometimes think people who buy fancy decks are... well... trying to cover for something...