On May 11, 2024, spudster85 wrote:
Finally got it in hand and have had the opportunity to play around with and perform it a handful of times. Ultimately, my issue was while using a pen to push through, I could not get the hole to return and line up completely clean. I am not sure if it was the pen I was using or what. But, that led me down a different rabbit hole: keys. That led me to combining another effect, and making an entire bill puncture routine. I basically use the single bill to perform Ignition and Phoenix. First performing Ignition showing that the key passes through the bill. I then ditch what needs to be ditched from that effect and hand the key to the spec to handle, and inspect without saying inspect this key. I have them hold the key as described for Phoenix and then push it through. Pull it back out, repair the bill and hand it to the spectator. The spec is left holding two objects they can freely inspect. They end up not knowing where to look at all as the heat is equally divided between the two. They each end up becoming convincers for the opposite effect. The few times I have done this it has gotten fairly strong reactions! Most of all, that key produces a hole that lines back up cleanly. Problem solved!

I do agree my only concerns with these gimmicks are the repurchase price. I do hope over time there is a drop in price.

On May 4, 2024, threadman77 wrote:
It looks to me like you are doing exactly what you are doing - sticking the pieces back together. Can't imagine this will pass "close" scrutiny.

And again, whether or not you let them examine it, it still looks like you're doing exactly what you are doing.
It's not a magical wave or gesture over the bill. You are "working" to restore it! And it's pretty obvious what that work is!

You can restore a bill exactly the same way without the gimmick, and not hand it out. It will look exactly the same - like you just folded and pressed all the edges flat again, only now there is nothing to hold them together for a "quick" examination.

Copperfield doesn't look all that impressed to me.

On May 11, 2024, The Unmasked Magician wrote:
I can see why you did that. It also crossed my mind. But to me that’s not a very impressive trick either. It’s ok, but it lacks a WOW moment where the spectator is truly baffled. Just my 2 eurocents.

On May 11, 2024, The Unmasked Magician wrote:
I think magicians love this because it’s a newish method. But I think the effect on lay people is not that strong, actually. Because, as was pointed out earlier, it looks like you are doing what you are doing. That takes away the magical part and reduces it to more of a puzzle. A good puzzle, but nowhere near inexplicable.

On May 11, 2024, spudster85 wrote:
Finally got it in hand and have had the opportunity to play around with and perform it a handful of times. Ultimately, my issue was while using a pen to push through, I could not get the hole to return and line up completely clean. I am not sure if it was the pen I was using or what. But, that led me down a different rabbit hole: keys. That led me to combining another effect, and making an entire bill puncture routine. I basically use the single bill to perform Ignition and Phoenix. First performing Ignition showing that the key passes through the bill. I then ditch what needs to be ditched from that effect and hand the key to the spec to handle, and inspect without saying inspect this key. I have them hold the key as described for Phoenix and then push it through. Pull it back out, repair the bill and hand it to the spectator. The spec is left holding two objects they can freely inspect. They end up not knowing where to look at all as the heat is equally divided between the two. They each end up becoming convincers for the opposite effect. The few times I have done this it has gotten fairly strong reactions! Most of all, that key produces a hole that lines back up cleanly. Problem solved!

I do agree my only concerns with these gimmicks are the repurchase price. I do hope over time there is a drop in price.

On May 11, 2024, Xcath1 wrote:
Georgebd makes any important point. Most members of the cafe perform mostly for family and friends and it is totally appropriate to judge tricks by success with those audiences and valuable for other when you let people know your primary audience.

On May 11, 2024, SlipperySnake wrote:

Quote:

On May 11, 2024, spudster85 wrote:
Finally got it in hand and have had the opportunity to play around with and perform it a handful of times. Ultimately, my issue was while using a pen to push through, I could not get the hole to return and line up completely clean. I am not sure if it was the pen I was using or what. But, that led me down a different rabbit hole: keys. That led me to combining another effect, and making an entire bill puncture routine. I basically use the single bill to perform Ignition and Phoenix. First performing Ignition showing that the key passes through the bill. I then ditch what needs to be ditched from that effect and hand the key to the spec to handle, and inspect without saying inspect this key. I have them hold the key as described for Phoenix and then push it through. Pull it back out, repair the bill and hand it to the spectator. The spec is left holding two objects they can freely inspect. They end up not knowing where to look at all as the heat is equally divided between the two. They each end up becoming convincers for the opposite effect. The few times I have done this it has gotten fairly strong reactions! Most of all, that key produces a hole that lines back up cleanly. Problem solved!

I do agree my only concerns with these gimmicks are the repurchase price. I do hope over time there is a drop in price.

Brilliant idea - like you said - it divides the heat. I actually think there is more heat on the "ungimmicked" key now because the bill appears restored. I would take the bill back first, and let them go over the key a bit more.

You can also get away with using the same Phoenix gimmick at least twice.

On Apr 26, 2024, trickyat86 wrote:
I'm curious if someone learns the brand name of the refill material in the future. While I'm all for supporting the creator, spending almost $60 at theory11 (product, taxes, shipping) is a bit steep for 32 gimmicks (or 16 if you do the suggested tip from the tutorial).

On May 13, 2024, Xcath1 wrote:
Have you figured the “secret” material threadman?