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Eugene Chekhov Elite user ~Magic~ 453 Posts |
Hi guys! I found a good version of the knife through jacket! Your thoughts does anyone have this version? I personally use the version /Mikame/
http://magicfan.shop21.makeshop.jp/shopd......commend/
I love the magic & history of magic! My favorites magicians - Dai Vernon, Max Malini, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Jeff Hobson, Bob Sheets, Nick Lewin, Harry Murphy, Dick Oslund- great showmen of magic!
* Eugene_Chekhov@yahoo.com |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Just my opinion, but it looks like it is similar to what you have already with the Mikame props. Unless you want something that looks more like a knife instead of a letter opener. These versions, including Mikame's, eliminates the interaction with the spectator, which enhances the presentation of the effect.
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Eugene Chekhov Elite user ~Magic~ 453 Posts |
Hi Bill Hegbli
I agree, the very principle is very similar. I think that this version is more perfect - the holder is even smaller. + HANGER - justifies your actions. I've worked with many versions - including impromptu, but I believe that this version is the best - that I've ever seen. Fine and elegant work. I wonder if it will be available in the US? What will the magical dealers say?)
I love the magic & history of magic! My favorites magicians - Dai Vernon, Max Malini, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Jeff Hobson, Bob Sheets, Nick Lewin, Harry Murphy, Dick Oslund- great showmen of magic!
* Eugene_Chekhov@yahoo.com |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
It looks like it in China, but all those fonts are the same to me. If it was from Japan, then maybe SEO will get it one day. There is nothing wrong with International orders, I have always gotten the goods I purchased from China, Japan, wherever.
I agree, it does has some good points over the Makame model. Just turn on Google Translator, and place the order. |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Well google translator shows the language to be Japanese. But importantly one of the translations shows as, "Out of Stock". There is an option to be notified by email when they get it back in but my thoughts are that this is standard even when there is no intention of restocking the product.
About the product: I disliked the Mikame version. The 'holder' made no sense and required either some explanation as to what it was or meant you ignored this strange device and hoped the illusion remained robust despite it. This version however is perfectly logical. The hanger needs no explanations we know what it is and it serves the function of allowing the performer to hold the jacket with one hand and the knife with the other. I really like the look of this. The only criticism I would offer about the performance/props is that the knife is a bit small/thin making it less visible for a bigger audience. Unlike Bill I don't see the hanger as removing the audience interaction. You can have the spectator up if you want. However this method gives you the option to leave the spectator in their seat. While this might not be a boon for some it is to me. I have a rule that I don't get people up on stage to help. So the ability to do this as a stand alone effect is a huge advantage to me. Previously I had looked into binder clips attaching the jacket to the mic stand... but they all looked a bit odd. This hanger is a great solution. It's one of those obvious things that's only obvious once someone else has come up with it and this is usually a sign of an excellent idea. Had this been in stock I'd have bought it straight away even before checking to see what the price was. (Which is 3780 yen inc tax $44 or £27) As an edited on after thought.... I recall having played around with using a hanger and found that the jackets often lay on the hanger in a way that the sides overlapped at the front. This doesn't happen in the video... there is a gap through which the blade makes it's appearance as it penetrates the material. I wonder if this open space between the halves of the jacket is a function of this particular jacket (in which case it might prove a problem with any other borrowed jacket) or whether it is a function of the design/shape/size of the hanger? This could be an important factor as to whether or not this prop was generally useable in the 'real world'.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Eugene Chekhov Elite user ~Magic~ 453 Posts |
I fully agree with you on all points.
The hanger is big. I'm sure it works with any jacket. In any case, you can open the halves of your jacket with your left hand.
I love the magic & history of magic! My favorites magicians - Dai Vernon, Max Malini, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Jeff Hobson, Bob Sheets, Nick Lewin, Harry Murphy, Dick Oslund- great showmen of magic!
* Eugene_Chekhov@yahoo.com |
Eugene Chekhov Elite user ~Magic~ 453 Posts |
Sealegs - Good news - now it's available - from seo / Price within $ 45.
https://www.seomagic-usa.com/catalog/pro......_id/2061
I love the magic & history of magic! My favorites magicians - Dai Vernon, Max Malini, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Jeff Hobson, Bob Sheets, Nick Lewin, Harry Murphy, Dick Oslund- great showmen of magic!
* Eugene_Chekhov@yahoo.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Thanks Eugene, I'm on it.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Eugene Chekhov Elite user ~Magic~ 453 Posts |
Good luck with your purchase! We will wait for your review about this trick!
I love the magic & history of magic! My favorites magicians - Dai Vernon, Max Malini, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Jeff Hobson, Bob Sheets, Nick Lewin, Harry Murphy, Dick Oslund- great showmen of magic!
* Eugene_Chekhov@yahoo.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I'm looking into seeing if I can get something done about the postage charge to the UK which at the moment is more than the cost of the prop!!!
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I took the plunge and despite having to pay the same again for the P&P and some import duty that customs has yet to invoice me for, I went ahead and purchased it.
Unfortunately the package's instructional dvd is completely blank! I have the props and initially I couldn't see how the demonstrator was using the props to achieve the effect in the online video demo! However this is an edit to my post as after making this post it dawned on me that there must be an element to the effect that I hadn't accounted for. There was, I found it, and I'm happy to say that despite not having the dvd I can probably get on with practicing the handling of the effect which should allow me to build a routine for it. Hopefully I'll get the dvd sent on later as there is always the chance that the creator has some wrinkles that can get missed. I'll report back with an overview after I've had a bit longer with the props.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Eugene Chekhov Elite user ~Magic~ 453 Posts |
Thank you Neal we will wait for review! I hope you get your DVD! After reading your message - pondered - that it is very different from the version of Mikame? Although....? Though....
I love the magic & history of magic! My favorites magicians - Dai Vernon, Max Malini, Fielding West, Michael Finney, Jeff Hobson, Bob Sheets, Nick Lewin, Harry Murphy, Dick Oslund- great showmen of magic!
* Eugene_Chekhov@yahoo.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I'm pleased to say that Seo Magic have acted expiditiouslly to correct the matter of the blank dvd that received with this product and I now have the video instructions.
I can't see how they could have been aware that the dvd was blank when it was sent out so well done to Seo Magic on getting the situation sorted out asap. Very good customer service. Neal
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
o2b2b2 New user 66 Posts |
So, what's the verdict on it? Does it work well and is it practical?
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Well.... It works well, the method is very sound and the demo shows you everything that the audience sees. In that regard you are getting exactly what you paid for. There are no real angle issues and I'm happy with the purchase.
However... earlier in the thread I mentioned that I had worked with using a hanger using the traditional ungimmicked single knife method for knife through coat and wrote this: "I recall having played around with using a hanger and found that the jackets often lay on the hanger in a way that the sides overlapped at the front. This doesn't happen in the video... there is a gap through which the blade makes it's appearance as it penetrates the material. I wonder if this open space between the halves of the jacket is a function of this particular jacket (in which case it might prove a problem with any other borrowed jacket) or whether it is a function of the design/shape/size of the hanger? This could be an important factor as to whether or not this prop was generally useable in the 'real world'." Unfortunately the hanger isn't designed such that it will hold open the front of a jacket hanging on it any more than a normal hanger. (indeed it is a regular normal hanger) This means the gap/space that the audience gets to see where the knife comes through is a quite small 'V' and for my liking looks a bit 'closed' and cramped. I think that theatrically this is a downside to visual aspect of the moment the knife comes through. Also, recent tightening of guidelines with port authority and cruise ship security has made me rethink the practicality of this effect being a fit to the type of work I do. So if you don't work cruise ships and the way the jacket hangs when doing the effect is't an issue I'd heartily recommend this.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Inviso Regular user 126 Posts |
Sealegs, I don't perform this, or even have it, but, two considerations came to mind from your post above. If the hanger had a grippy top surface could you not hang the jacket "improperly" so that it stays open as you would like. A bead of clear silicone might provide that grip.
If you are concerned with knives travelling perhaps this could be a "Chopstick" though jacket or some other organic item? My immediate thought when seeing the demo was a story line around a hotel cleaner. The paper being the way they tracked the room number and whatever story line addresses the puncture...laundry and kitchen close together...small hotel, blah, blah, eventually a knife is going to get thrown in this type of establishment... A chopstick story could be could be crafted around the stereotypical Chinese laundry and numbered chopsticks to tag the jacket... As an after thought, maybe the audience would believe you could push a chopstick through fabric without causing damage and not appreciate the miracle. Anyway, just 2 cents for you to do with as you wish. Randy |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Thanks for the input Randy.
I have played around with both this and other hangers to see if the jacket can be draped on the hanger so the front hangs more open. Your idea of a bead or strip of silicon would probably work to a degree... but to get the jacket to part significantly at the front I have found it has to lay on the hanger in a rather un-natural looking way. A bead or strip of silicon would no doubt hold it so the front hangs more open but the jacket on the hanger looks very odd when hanging like this....it looks half on and half off the hanger... and odd creates suspicion. And even if that suspicion has nothing to do with the method it acts to lessen the impact of the magic as the audience has something to focus on that is out of the ordinary. A broader/longer hanger would probably provide the best solution, or maybe a slightly different shaped one. But like I say though, this feature, that I see as something to change (the way the jacket hangs leaving only a small opening at the front for the blade to be seen coming through), might just be a reflection of my personal preference. I can hardly say it's a failing of the prop in any way. After all I think the video/demo looks great.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
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