The S.T.El.Th. Jig by Tom Lauten and Chris Jones
£20 (Approx. $38 ) from Alakazam
Simply Tie Elastic Thread.
Summary
The S.T.El.Th. jig is not a magic effect. It’s not even a device in the way a TT or a Raven is. What it actually is, is a method/device for simply (and I do mean simply) being able to create those bands of Invisible Elasticated Thread that have proved to be so useful for thousands of magicians.
I confess that I use Yigal Misika's "loops" a lot, and consequently found this product to be extremely tempting. I have been tempted before by a system called T.I.E.S. and I can't compare T.I.E.S directly with the S.T.El.Th. jig as I never bought it. The reason I never bought it was because it was too expensive, and it has had some very mixed reviews.
The Review
All I really need to say about this is that this works. It really does work. You will have to excuse my gushing enthusiasm for this product but I think I was quietly expecting to be disappointed.
When I first opened the customary jiffy bag my initial reaction was one of surprise. It wasn't what I was expecting, but then again if I am honest, I really had no idea what I actually was expecting.
After a cursory read through the instructions (which I hasten to add are very clear and concise), I quickly set about gathering up the required items. You have to supply your own reel of IET and a few other everyday items that fortunately I already had lying around (and to be fair, I think most people will have). I then sat down to make my first band.
Approximately two minutes later I had my first band successfully wrapped around a playing card. You should have seen the huge grin on my face when I saw what I had just created. It really is that easy! I genuinely couldn't wait to get stuck in with the next... and next... and next.
Dislikes
To be honest, I am at a struggle to say anything I dislike about it. Perhaps it would have been nice to have included a reel of IET, but then again, the write up on Alakazam specified that it wasn't going to, and besides by excluding it, it allows you to get the type of thread that suits you. Thickness, strength, colour etc.
Let's see, what else don't I like. Oh yes. It’s currently taking me 30 seconds a band. Tom Lauten (the little liar!
) had previously told me that it was only going to take me 20 seconds! (but I forgive him, after all I am a bit of a klutz!)
Bottom line
Taking into account that I haven't used the bands that I have made in anger yet, I have nevertheless experimented with them, and the ones I have tried all seem to be in working order.
There were no unexpected breakages (well certainly no more than I get with the pre-made ones that can be bought) and they do the job they were designed for.
The bottom line is that the S.T.El.Th. system works and it works well. It is going to save me a fortune. As I mentioned before, I don't know how T.I.E.S system works, but I can't honestly see how it could possibly be any better than S.T.El.Th.
Simply put. (IMO) If you use IET Bands already. Then you shouldn't be without this product. If you are thinking about using them, then you shouldn't be without this product. If you don't use them, and don't believe you ever will, then I suggest you stay well clear of it!
Rating. Effect/item: 10/10, Quality of goods: 9/10, Value for money: 10/10.
I do appreciate that rating any item is very subjective and in many ways pointless, but it does at least allow me to express my opinion of what it is worth to me.
And finally
This is another product from master craftsman Tom "TT Elite" Lauten, although credit for the invention goes to a certain Chris Jones. What a great team. I wonder what other ideas Chris Jones has up his sleeve as this one is a sure fire beauty!
