talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect Titan's Finger
What they say:
Titanas has created an exquisitely weird method for twisting your finger into a position that no finger has ever gone before!

There's NOTHING in your hands but your own skin. And yet...

You grasp one of your own fingers, muster up your courage, then give the finger a hard, forceful twist. There's an icky bone-popping "snap"...and your freakishly twisted finger is now completely backwards! You've got to watch the demo to experience the full power of this moment.

IT'S A VISUAL PIECE OF STRANGE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER.

To end the one-finger freak show, you untwist back to normal. And since there was never anything else in your hands; your audience is free to poke and prod any of your fingers as they commune with the mystery.

EASY AND PAINLESS
NO PALMING, NO PULLS, NOTHING TO GET RID OF.
YOU END COMPLETELY CLEAN.
WORKS WITH SMALL AND LARGE FINGERS OF ANY SKIN TONE.
PRACTICAL AND ANGLE PROOF FOR ALL NORMAL...
AND MOST ABNORMAL SITUATIONS.
Titanas' improbably twisted method for this is truly a thing of freaky beauty.

Cost £24.99 (from Alakazam)

Difficulty
1 - easy and bettered by your own good acting skills - including sound effects of the bone 'clicking'
(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)

Review

From the moment I saw the demo I was keen to get my hands on this (no pun intended!) - i thought I knew the method and figured there must be some poetic license in regards to there being "nothing in your hands" - how wrong was I? having opened the DVD I was initially confused with what was involved. The gimmick is surprising and, in my opinion, an extremely creative use of a known method.

So to the effect - your hand is completely empty before, during and after the illusion. The spectator 'sees' a finger turn 180 degrees and hears the slight creaking of the bones in the process! Some unbelievable squeals can be received. You then proceed to turn the finger back to its correct position and your hand can be examined.

So what lessons have i learnt with this effect? Firstly you need to practice with the gimmick to ascertain what works best for your skin tone and physical make-up of your finger. This is incredibly easy - its hard to describe without given the secret away.

Next you don't want to do it any closer than 4 or so feet from the spectator - the illusion looks tremendous at this distance - any closer and you are at risk of being found out.

The only angle issues would be if someone was behind you - but that goes for a lot of illusions and is easy to manage.

For me personally I have to delay, for several seconds more than stated on the DVD, the spectator examining my hands. However, this is not an issue - you are just doing the same suggested actions for a bit longer.

The DVD gives all the guidance you need - the effect is very simple. It will call upon your acting skills more than anything else - and is a shocker.

You are also provided with a 'spur of the moment' working but I find this of no use - why you would need to do this is beyond me as the gimmick is of a size and design that could be with you always.

Overall

I give it 10/10. Some might say that the price is a little on the high side for the gimmick and DVD but personally i believe its a small price to pay for a fun, easy to do, unusual and inventive piece of magic.

So there's absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with this effect?

Hi,

Apart from the points raised in the review that it takes a bit longer to 'clean up' (in my case), you can't do it right in front of someone's nose, you can't have anyone behind you and the impromptu offering is weak I'd say "No"(all these things are easy to overcome).

Its a simple effect that does exactly what it says on the tin.

Could it be done with my toes? Lol

Not sure i want to go there....

Actually I have found another problem! - my teenage son has commandeered it and is being 'cool' at college!

So are there any other effects that can be done with the gimmick?

No - the gimmick purely allows you to do the effect described.

I too like the product... in theory... but I've yet the "bolas" to perform it for real. I'm "prepping the ground" first.

It is a one trick pony but I should think, given the right people, this will seriously worry some spectators.

so?... CAN it be done with toes?

No you can't - but why would you want to? Related problems of sweaty feet, corns, athletes foot etc!

I don't mean to p*** against the wind... but I must be the only one entirely unimpressed with this effect.

It reminds me of the shrinking finger which was horrendous, yet I have only ever heard good things about it.

Seen live, I didn't get it.

However, I suppose in the right setting and right presentation, this could provoke a good response.

I must just be missing something

I think its like anything - if it 'rocks yer boat' you will deliver it with confidence and get the result you want - if not then best to avoid.

I'm firmly in the camp i describe - I just love it. I know of plenty of effects others do with great energy but they wouldn't work for me.

The old 'matter of personal opinion and taste...'

I.D wrote:I don't mean to p*** against the wind... but I must be the only one entirely unimpressed with this effect.

It reminds me of the shrinking finger which was horrendous, yet I have only ever heard good things about it.

Seen live, I didn't get it.

However, I suppose in the right setting and right presentation, this could provoke a good response.

I must just be missing something

I would put this in the same category as freaky body illusions. As I am typing this I am thinking how I could present this in a funny way.

You could hold up your hand, (nails toward you) and casually stare at your finger nails. While quipping: Hum, I just cleaned my fingernails. Look up at the person next to you and say. Do they look dirty to you? Keep your hand in the same position. . . And then just twist one finger around for them to see. lol

Nice for street magic I am sure, not so sure about at a restaurant and too small for cabaret. Could be fun at a kids party, now here is one to try at home...

I accept no responsibility for magicians doing this on my advice, though I will laugh.

Chris Tennant