Roughing Sticks by Harry Robson and Vanishing Inc.

If you're like me and rely on the old "rough and smooth" principle, you probably know the routine when you treat your own cards. Lay out the cards, use the spray, and then wait for everything to dry. You don't want to do this inside but outside, there are breezes that kick up and blow the cards around. And when the "rough" wears off, you have to repeat the messy process. 

That's why I'm so fond of "Roughing Sticks" by Harry Robson and Vanishing Inc. According to the ads, this product is the result of some 30-years of trial and error and research on the part of Robson. 

Rough Going
"Roughing Sticks" are about the size of an eraser ("rubber" in the UK) and when you rub the surface of the stick against a card, it acts as an instant roughing fluid to keep cards together. According to the ads, you can create at least 150 "Invisible Decks" (Robson says "100" in the accompanying online instructional video). 

Easy to use and it's not messy, what's not to like? An accompanying instructional online video teaches you everything you need to know. In the video, you can watch Robson make an Invisible Deck in less than two minutes. Even if you can't make the deck in two-minutes, it will take you less than five-minutes.

In my testing, the "Roughing Stick" worked effectively and efficiently. It was everything that was touted in the ads. This is going straight into my magic toolbox.  

Follow the latest magic news, products and happenings and ask me questions on Facebook ("friend me at "Wayne Kawamoto"), Twitter and GooglePlus. Also, please subscribe to my weekly magic email newsletter here.

Dealers, contact Murphy's Magic Supplies. 

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Review of The Bullet Catch by John Gaspard

I'm personally not much a fiction reader and I don't regularly do mysteries (it's been years since I dipped my toes into a juicy Agatha Christy novel). So why did I read "The Bullet Catch" by John Gaspard, a new mystery novel set in the present day?

You see, the book stars a compelling magician character named Eli Marks. After all, doesn't it make sense that a magician would make a good crime solver? And in Gaspard’s hands, the tale is like a great magic trick – you don’t know where it’s going and when the revelation occurs at the end, everything comes together. It's lots of fun. 

Magic Minnesota
The setting is modern day Minnesota. Eli is a magician and film magic consultant who resides with his uncle, who, by the way, runs a brick and mortar magic shop. While the magic shop may be a throwback to another era, the book features a contemporary world populated with iPads, Netflix and more.

No surprise, there’s been a mysterious murder in town just as a movie’s being made about a magician whose life ended tragically by (what else?) a bullet catch gone wrong. Add in some shady characters that includes a masked magician who once gave away secrets on TV (sound familiar?), a psychic with a dire prediction and assorted other characters, and you’ve got the makings of an enjoyable mystery and read.

The Magic Angle
Particularly fun for magicians is the magic angle. Author Gaspard knows his magic and history (or he did some in-depth research). From the tricks that the lead character performs (Dr. Daley's Last Trick, Invisible Deck and more) to the historical references (Morrit's Donkey Vanish, center deals and more), there are definite insights.
 
There are also aspects of performing and working as a magician. The lead character deals with tough crowds in his shows as well as with recalcitrant witnesses as he tries to solve the mystery. It's all spot on.

So who did it and why? Gaspard weaves a tale of deceit and lies that's fit for a magician. And while it all comes together in the end, I certainly didn't see it. Referenced in the novel is the old magician's adage, "don't run if no one is chasing you." I think it's particularly fitting. 

I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It's truly mystery and magic.

Follow the latest magic news, products and happenings and ask me questions on Facebook ("friend me at "Wayne Kawamoto"), Twitter and GooglePlus. Also, please subscribe to my weekly magic email newsletter here.

Dealers, contact Murphy's Magic Supplies.
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Tie Shell (The Color Changing Tie) by David Penn and World Magic Shop

It’s "color-changing" in the magic sense of the phrase, and the Tie Shell allows you to apparently switch ties in almost no time.

I guess there’s no secret to shroud here – it’s all in the name. David Penn's Tie Shell is just that, a gimmick so you can make a “shell” of one tie that rests on another one that you’re actually wearing. And when you want, and with a little misdirection, you can effectively remove and ditch the “shell” and magically "change" your tie.

The Gimmick
The well made Tie Shell gimmick lets you customize two ties of your own choice. You’ll destroy one tie in the process that will act as the first tie.

The second tie is kept normal and it’s the one that you’re actually wearing at the end. You’ll have to do some arts and crafts to make your tie shell gimmick, but the process is fairly straight-forward and it’s not difficult. The gimmick is efficient and effective.

Misdirect
To perform the actual change, you’ll need some misdirection. Penn teaches you how to briefly turn around under the guise of a spectator showing a playing card or freely chosen word to the audience so you can make the change.

I found the Tie Shell to be everything that’s it’s touted to be. If you want to make your necktie change in the course of an act or routine, this is a great way to go.
Follow the latest magic news, products and happenings and ask me questions on Facebook ("friend me at "Wayne Kawamoto"), Twitter and GooglePlus. Also, please subscribe to my weekly magic email newsletter here.

Dealers, contact Murphy's Magic Supplies.
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