talkmagic.co.uk

Where?
Here: http://www.imentalism.com/mentalcraft/

What?
A custom Neolithic celt pendulum with Haunted Key

When?
Well, I received this back on Tuesday.

Why?
Now thats a little impertinent, but I shall answer anyways.hehe. It's purely because I am becoming a huge fan of pendulum work and the haunted key effect...this is getting very close to real mentalism.


Ok, I've had a few days to work with these now.

Let me be clear. I have no connection to Mentalcraft other than that of a paying customer. I have a small banner on my site at www.thaumaturgy.co.uk linking to Rich's site only because we have the same web designer in common. For reasons I will come to, this banner is most definitely going to stay.

My order was for a custom pendulum involving an aged haunted key and a neolithic celt.

As an ex-archaeologist it is important to me that artefacts of this caliber are treated with respect, and that when something is 'aged', it truly looks the part.

Firstly to the haunted key. This is weighted perfectly. It has been easy practicing with this, so much so that I almost immediately began practicing and perfecting using an upward sloping hand. It is a very tactile object, is large enough to be seen, yet just the right size that it won't weigh your trousers down when carrying it.
As an old artefact expert, this is hard to discern between a genuine vintage key. The only small downside is that due to the patina coating, the key is slightly tacky, however...I have been able to use this to my advantage and gain even more control of it when in use. As I say, this is minor, and only discernible because I am clutching this in my sweaty little hands a lot of the time.hehe. Great stuff!

Now to the rest of the pendulum.

This consists of a neolithic celt mounted, and attached to a snake chain, with a magnetic holder at the other end to hold the key, or any other magnetic object.

The celt is superb, and is mounted sympathetically and without damage to the object using a beautiful gold coloured leaf fixing. It is the perfect weight for my use as a pendulum and really does bring the ooo's and ahhh's when I get this out.

The snake chain is the perfect size and is supple enough to transmit the movements to the pendulum uninhibited.

Everything came in some lovely little drawstring pouches and box...its the little touches like this that I really enjoy.

Lastly, it is to mention Rich's customer service. I wouldn't expect anything less than that which I strive to give, and I was not disappointed.

Its been a good experience, and will not hesitate to use Mentalcraft again for any future goodies like this that I might need...or want.

And that, my fellow magi, is why I will continue to keep Mentalcrafts banner on my site.


Christo

I however, have had mighty fine objects crafted by both the original poster of this thread, and by Richard who runs mentalcraft...

both are mighty fine...

I own nearly a dozen pendulums from Rich, some are made especially for me, others from his site...the chicken foot, and the Eye of Horus book are particular favourites of mine...

and his tk pens are beauties too...

i have something from each section now i think of it - ha!

i even have a monogrammed filter shield for an outlaw wallet...

Rich is a very talented man, and also a very nice and helpful one too..

Something that just occurred to me was a routine I found in an old magic book when I was playing around with the haunted key. It involved hanging the key (like a pendulum) inside a bottle whilst everyone placed their hands on the table around it. The pendulum/key would move in circle of it's own accord even though no-one was touching the bottle.

I believe the routine was in a book that included a selection of tricks from the likes of Tommy Cooper and David De-Val as well as a tour of the Magic circle building.

Anywho, just thought that it might spark some useful ideas when it comes to keys/pendulums that move on their own.

That is something similar that I'm working on using really good old fashioned methods.

Several bottles are on the table, each has a key dangling inside it. You introduce your haunted key to the group and get them to decide which key they will replace with the haunted key. The specs replace this so now a random bottle contains the haunted key they attached. Everyone holds onto the table and concentrates on the haunted key...it begins to move. Tasty!

Sounds like it may be the same technique I'm thinking of...
Let's hear it for good old fashioned methods!!!!

Huzzarrr!!!!!!!!

The key in the bottle is something Roni has been doing for quite a number of years.

It does feature in a book i own, published in the 20s, by Dunninger.

( it might be at Tab, if People remember to bring it )

Prior to that, It was used by shut eyes in the parlours.

Thaumaturge wrote:That is something similar that I'm working on using really good old fashioned methods.

Several bottles are on the table, each has a key dangling inside it. You introduce your haunted key to the group and get them to decide which key they will replace with the haunted key. The specs replace this so now a random bottle contains the haunted key they attached. Everyone holds onto the table and concentrates on the haunted key...it begins to move. Tasty!

Chris, It might be a bad choice of words, but everyone doesnt "hold on" to the table....

you only need the lightest touch.

Indeed if you do hold on, the method becomes obvious, and often will not work.
People start to fight against the motion, rather than go with it:)

Yup, it was the bad choice of words...after a couple of martinis things go a bit wibbly.

I'll rephrase..."Everyone gentle touches the table like a tender caress and concentrates on the haunted key..."

hehehe

Richard Osterlind has some great notes on using the Haunted Key in his electronic book Real Magic.

Recieved my all seeing eye pendulum today. Just to quickly repeat that it was great service. Specified how I wanted it. It has been delivered very quickly to overseas. Its a nice product I've been enjoying playing having the eye follow objects. The back did look a bit messy, so I've had a metal cover onto the back, but this was more to do with how I wanted it to look than a problem. I am tempted with one of the pens or another pendulum.