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Posted by: Raymond Singson (Jan 5, 2012 5:12pm) |
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So after waiting for more reviews, I finally just caved into the post-holiday temptation, and bought myself The Badger Wallet. It took a few days to arrive, but I just received it, watched the online instructional videos, and played with the wallet for a few hours to really get comfortable with it. Figured I'd offer my two cents in case anyone else was interested in the product.
INITIAL THOUGHTS.
After opening the mail packaging, I was immediately impressed with what I received. I loved the craftmanship, design, and overall feel of the wallet. The leather is soft to the touch, reminiscent of the leather used in the (newer) JOL Hip Pocket Billfolds. As previously mentioned, the finish of the leather actually aids in the illicit load of a playing card off the top of the deck. The wallet is the same size as the more popular Tim Trono/Paul Harris Super Slim model. What I particularly liked about the design of the wallet was that it felt reinforced in all the appropriate areas. There seems to be stiffer material in between the layers of fabric around the credit card slots to prevent unappealing creases, and the Mullica insert is similarly reinforced to aid in a faster load. These minute details showed that Tony Miller and Nate Kranzo really appreciated finer points and wanted to correct flaws found in previous models of the Mullica Wallet.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS.
The wallet comes with an insert that provides an unlisted YouTube link to watch detailed instruction for the wallet. The quality of the videos are very undesirable by today's standards. Those wanting broadcast-quality productions will be severely disappointed. It appears as though Tony Miller's using the same remote-controlled camcorder seen in all his other demos, and Nate Kranzo's potentially using an iPhone to film his segments. Oh, and he's not wearing pants. He's wearing baggy boxer-briefs and proceeds to show the camera an effect using the wallet at crotch level. Frankly, not only is such practice distasteful, it's also very distracting. Additionally, the videos all appear to be one-shot/one-take, so are very slow and painful to watch all the way through-- but the relevant information pertaining to the wallet is accurately portrayed. A few rewinds may be necessary for those unfamiliar with a Mullica wallet to understand the orientation of everything during the standard load procedures. Overall, there is a lot of worthwhile information in the video segments, even if they are awfully produced. It's like being served a 4-star prime rib dinner on a dirty trash can lid.
I personally own the PH/Tim Trono SuperSlim model. The supplementary DVD that came with the SuperSlim does an infinitely better job teaching how to care for, perform with, and maintain a hip-pocket Mullica wallet. Also, the performance pieces on the PH DVD are also much better-quality effects that can immediately go into a worker's repertoire. Nate Kranzo appears to duplicate some of the effects, but falls short of the standard set before him. The effect "Go Text Yourself" is a laughable rendition of PH's License to Astonish effect. As far as instruction goes, I obviously prefer (and appreciate) PH's efforts more.
PRACTICALITY/FUNCTIONALITY.
I loved the Badger when I first opened its packaging. It's a gorgeously made prop. It was advertised as a hip-pocket Mullica that could/should be used as a regular wallet. I understand that Nate Kranzo apparently used his for day-to-day necessity. Once I loaded the wallet with my two credit cards and ID, it expanded to a solid 1.5 inches. The additional leather, zippers, and reinforcement materials were not apparently without drawback. Frankly speaking, the Badger is one of the fattest wallets I'll own. I don't really foresee me using this in casual attire at all. This is definitely more suited for "European wear" in the breast pocket of a sports-coat or suit jacket. It's unfortunate, because I would have loved to have the Badger replace my SuperSlim, but it's simply too cumbersome to wear in the back pocket of my jeans or even the front pocket of loose trousers. Mind you, my Badger isn't even fully loaded-- I only have three plastic cards occupying the five credit card slots so I imagine the wallet would be even thicker for those who carry more cash and plastic than others.
Comparing this with the SuperSlim, I would still argue that the Badger undeniably operates much better with CTW handlings. The finish of the leather facilitates Mullica loads and the additional LePaul slot makes it a more versatile wallet. In terms of day-to-day practicality, however, I'd sacrifice the smaller liberties that the Badger offers for the comfort of the slimmer design of the PH SuperSlim. If you wear a sportscoat/blazer/suit regularly, the Badger's a great product, but in my opinion, it's just not comfortable to wear in casual attire. The SuperSlim can be worn in fitted jeans and trousers as well as more formal, dressier clothes without any uncomfortable, unsightly bulges, making it-- in my opinion-- the more worthwhile product.
OVERALL.
I like the Badger Wallet. By itself, I think it's a classy, well-made product. Tony Miller and Nate Kranzo did a great job in the construction and design of the wallet. If/when I have more formal gigs, I'll likely carry this with me. The only real qualm I have against the Badger-- and the only thing that's really holding me back from using it more often-- is its excessive thickness, and that's likely an issue other magicians won't mind. But because of that excessive thickness, I don't believe it's ideal for the more spontaneous, casual performances that I (and assuming the majority of other magicians here) find myself involved with. For $80, I would also argue that customers deserve more professional quality and conduct in instructional supplements. Which leads me to my final verdict in the comparison of the two wallets.
As far as personal preferences go, I think the Badger pales in comparison to the SuperSlim, but not by much. Although the Badger is the better-quality wallet between the two, I liked the production value, detail of instruction, and quality of effects found with PH/Tim Trono's SuperSlim Mullica moreso than the Badger. And despite the fact that the actual SuperSlim wallet may be lacking in overall quality in comparison to the Badger, it is still a decently-made, operable wallet with the versatility to be worn more comfortably in whatever style of clothing one would typically wear. For $10 less than the Badger, you literally get more bang for your buck with the purchase of SuperSlim.
Overall, in my mind, between the two wallets, I feel the SuperSlim Mullica wins by a hair. But I think those who purchase the Badger with full knowledge of what they're getting will be satisfied-- and even impressed-- with the wallet they get.
RS.
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