talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect
Visually Smash A Bic Pen Into One Half Its Original Size.

No Switches. No Sleeves. End Clean.

The compressed pen writes and is completely examinable. You can even give it away to a spectator to keep as a souvenir! They will find nothing because there is nothing.

Keep this hard-hitting effect with you everywhere you go!

-Extremely easy to master
-Can be performed surrounded
-Made in under 15 minutes
-Resets in seconds
-Can be given away as a souvenir

Compression is great for any performance setting and gets amazing reactions.

The DVD consists of the following sections:

-Demo Video with Live Performances
-Introduction
-Simple Explanation
-How To Make Compression
-Detailed Handling

Now with over fifteen minutes of Bonus Material:

-Performance Tips
-Performance Ideas
-Special Handling

For use with your own bic ball point white barrel pens


Cost
£14.97 (DVD, including ungimmicked pens)
£8.99 (Download Only)

From: http://www.magicshop.co.uk/advanced_sea ... &x=15&y=17


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)

Probably rate this as a 1.5 - very simple, few handling wrinkes, zero sleights.


Review
Compression dos what it says on the tin; visibly smash a white Bic pen down to hald it's usual size, ending with nothing in your hands but the small pen, which can then be given away as a souvineer.

It's a nice, visual effect, with the main downside being that it lasts all of 30 seconds, and smacks more of novelty than true magic.

Nice for a chuckle and a brief moment of 'no way'-type reaction, but not a reputation-maker, by any way, shape or form.

The DVD/Download is very thorough (though possibly to the point of becoming annoying), and the gimmick that you have to construct to use the effect is very easily knocked-together.

If you're in the UK, you will need to source the white Bic pens, as they're not commonly available here, though I understand that Magicshop.co.uk are selling stocks, so no hassle there.


Overall
4.5/10

To be honest, I really do feel that this one is - in no way - anything more than a filler effect; it's something I'd expect to see included on a DVD of 10-12 effects, rather than a standalone purchase.

As such, I can't recommend either DVD or Download purchase at the prices this is available for. I got mine pre-owned, and am happy with it...I wouldn't have been anywhere NEAR as happy if I'd have paid full price for such a fleeting piece of fluff.