Best $20 investment I could have made. My reputation was kicked up a notch because of it. Short and sweet. I would do sleight of hand, end with the Raven, and leave. people still talk about it.

I'm an amateur, Bill, but the Raven IS for me!

Doug

The Raven is a great tool if used properly. There are many things you can do with it becides the basic vanish if you really put your mind to work.

It was worth the money to me because when I work on a new effect or set out to improve an existing routine, I always look for the best possible method, no matter what it is. I don't care if it is self working, a knuckle buster, or gaffed to the hilt as long as the effect is clear to the spectators and it is the best possible method. The Raven solved a problem for me, and to me, that was worth the thirty bucks.

Doug-

Do you use the Raven with a jacket or do you use the belt method? From your other posts, it seems we have similar tastes in effects (mostly Sankey's) and I am curious about how you use the Raven. I bought one about a year ago and must admit I haven't practiced with it enough to take it public. I can fool my wife with it, but I can't get over the fear of getting caught with it dangling in front of me for the world to see.

Thanks in advance.

Tiki

Maybe to you its not a good trick but to the lay man its the coolest thing they have ever seen.
Oh ya if its such a bad trick why did David Blain use it in his special and the previews for the special.
Hey I'm not a fan of David Blain eather but he new enough to use such a great trick on his TV special so ill give that to him. But you are correct it is not much of a table hopping effect but it has so many street aplications. I have been known from time to time as to vanish a large spoon off of the dinner table useing the raven. My advise to you is to give it a second chance and to be imaginative.

Oh one more thing about set up, you can illuminate the o-ring that comes with it just by stringing it threw your belt loop!!! this should save some time now that you illiminated 2 pins.

I think he was talking about the actual power of the gimmick and not the power of the effect.

Well, Tiki, It's way too hot to wear a jacket. Florida doesn't get below 90, after May...at least until Dec or Jan...Southwest Florida, anyway...but, if I know I'm going "out"...that is, to perform in some way (rare these days), I'll wear a light blazer, the one that has it already installed. It's in the right sleeve, with the loop just about 2 or 3" above the cuff.

At the appropriate time, I just reach up, "hook up", and start. Usually, I'll do something like Coins Across, Pen Thru Anything, or a packet trick (NFW, Twisted Sisters, Skinner's Monte, or Flushtration), then, as I'm getting ready to wrap it up, I usually pretend to have an afterthought, and show 'em "one more"...The Raven.

I have a steel-core Half, and Quarter that work perfectly with this, then the shimmed E ] Half, or English Penny, to make it "shrink" (mini-coins)...just one or two quick ones, then bye-bye! A wave of the hand...(jaw drops)...oh, and I also do the "show both sides of the hand"...something you cannot do in the T-shirt method.

Quoting you again..."...I can't get over the fear of getting caught with it dangling in front of me for the world to see...."

That's something you never have to worry about with the jacket/sleeve method...if you have the video (a MUST HAVE!), learn that move...showing both sides of the hand...I mastered that almost immediately...just use your first finger. Let your fingernails grow a tiny bit (keep 'em CLEAN, tho', LOL), as you'll need that extra bit of "bite" if you know what I mean. Just move your thumb out of the way, and raise your hand vertically. It stays out of sight. No need to hurry...easy does it.

Sure hopes this helps, without tipping too much...

Doug

It is best when used in conjunction with other magic, coins or not.

I don't currently use the Raven, but have in the past with success. The tool is only as good as the technician wielding it. The Raven is a tool. Like any pull, it doesn't fit every situation. No jacket, tee-shirt or golf shirt are not situations for the Raven. But those situations don't alow for sleeving either, doesn't mean sleeving is bad. One draw back I had with the Raven was it talked when attracting the coin. I added an extra piece of felt and corrected that. The Raven gets a high B as a magical tool. It isn't a trick in and of it self and if that's what you're looking for stay clear of it.

Hi Carlo,
I second your thoughts!
(I also had the same problem and used extra felt.)
Gerard

I actually enjoy the Raven. The looks of astonishment you get with it are well worth the price.

I like The Raven too.

Carlo and Gerard, Does the extra felt 'weaken' it very much? I've thought about trying this for a while, but I was afraid it would not work as well.

Regan

Hi,

Here in Spain it gets pretty warm and most of the year I wear long sleeved shirts, without a jacket.

Does the Raven work just as well in long sleeves?

One more thing (referring to the m used): anyone know which N this is? I'm guessing it's small but a higher N might improve the effect.

Chris

The Raven works fine with long sleeves. In fact, mine is hooked up in the more traditional way, inside my duster (overcoat for you Spaniards).


Posted: Nov 22, 2004 1:14am
----------------------------------------
...Also, think what a Raven could do for a chop cup! The ball is in the hand, in the pocket, the hand, the pocket. Then it's in the Specs hand... but back in yours.

I've only done it once, but the reaction was stupendous. I always have the Raven ready for it, but the hookup during a performance, right under the spectator's nose has proven a bit more than I can handle yet.

Well, I'm English but I'm just as glad you clarified what a duster was! Otherwise I'd have imagined you making fluff disappear around the house in a wholly remarkable way.

:)

I've just ordered the Raven X2 with the DVD how does this differ from the first Raven?

Very very bad...

I have both the raven and the raven X2 setup in jackets...

I use the raven all the time, and I never use the Raven X2...

It is way too bulky, and there are major issues with it moving freely and in a timely mannor without too much force.

I do like the idea about having a holdout on the gimick, however in practice this is more of a detriment than a bonus.

1: The X2 is way too bulky to move in and out reliably. This is a very big issue, because I use the raven all the time with no problems, however I shudder to use the X2 in public because it is so bulky... not visibility, but if you have the original, the "retraction" is *extremly* problomatic.

2: A nice feature of the Raven is the smoothness of the handling, how the hand doesn't touch or pause. With the X2 there is touching, and usually friction has to happen to "unload" whatever your unloading.



Anyway, Stick with the original Raven, it is by far the best.

Also, I think vanishes are better served by this gimick than switches.... there is not much point to the X2 other than switching.

Thanks for that Daegs,

The reason I got an X2 was because I was told 'it is everything the Raven is only better'!

I will have to get the original Raven and see what suits me I suppose.

Cheers Guys
Tony

The Raven is not a trick. It's not a no brainer self working type of thing.
You have to work with it and practice with it. Oh no the P word!
There are many ways it can be used. And it does create apparent miracles.
Basically it's used as part of a routine. It's doesn't stand alone well.
I suspect a bunch of people bought a Raven because they knew David Blaine used it.
It may not fit your style and you may not like it but that doesn't make
it a bad utility device.
Once you say that then you close your mind to creativity and the game is over.

I do think it was poorly engineered if at all.
The magnet did not need to be as large as it is. I opened up the felt on one side and with a knife trimmed it down on the edges making it 1/2 the width it started out. Then I closed up the felt. Now it is far more functional slipping into places it would get hung up on before. Give it a try.

Bottom line guys, should I buy it, or spend $20 on coffee and stay up all night learning the sleights to replace it? Please, clear this up.

I would buy it it's a great accessory. I'm very happy with mine.