talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

You hold an index card, or similar sized piece of paper, and you place a pencil on the index card and it appears to being writting on it's own. Both thumbs are shown to each side and it is completely impromptu. Everything can be seen and examined afterwards, and everything could be borrowed.


Cost

$6.50, http://www.newmagicsecrets.com/portal/d ... gX0tsqOOOA



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 must admit I bought this to take one for the team [talkmagic.co.uk]. Although I was interested in knowing how it was done. I never anticipated using it more than for a joke, or a 'humorous' gimmick.

The idea behind it is not cutting edge. You do get exactly what it is advertising though and that is a plus. This effect will not be for everyone, and will take a small but fair amount of practice. Not because it is difficult, just because you will want to have it looking perfect before you even attempt to do it during performance. It is pretty cheap but I think they could stand to go a little lower on what they are selling it for. But it is not a total waste of money.

It comes with a long pencil from wallet trick. I was totally disappointed in this and I see why it comes free. It is fun though, some may like it. The pencil is examinable.

Overall

I came away with my buying experience a bit disappointed. Even though I did not have much anticipation for the effect anyway. I do not feel it is suitable for professional performance, but some may. It would be a fun thing to do at a party as a little personal 'gimmick'. So I say,

6.6/10

Do you feel that it would go good as an effect within an effect? Say for example, you are righting a prediciton down in a mentalist routine, and instead of just writing it, use "pencil possession" and add a small sort of flourish to effect?

Yeah, I think this would be it's only application. But the problem is, I don't think too many people would buy it, or accept it as more than a little trick.

Although, some performers I am sure could work it in really well if used just right. I just don't think it would ever generate much seriousness.