On 2013-01-08 22:54, Scott Horn wrote:
Good News: I really like this item. I now have a key chain with Fob, Freakey, and Ignition. Ive been playing around with the handling and getting smooth with it. Great finale to an informal card set.

That said, I do love this gimmick and will buy another if I have to.

Dave.. will extra caps be available through other dealers, or only through WMS ?

On 2013-01-09 01:54, MeHitDrum wrote:
I've had FOB for about two weeks now and it's become a little scratched from the keys, etc. I don't hate that because it's a pretty natural looking object. However, I've had to "age" the switch cover to match the main one. Kind of a pain. That said, this is not really a big problem. Just something to be aware of prior to purchase. I can see it getting worse over time, so replacements may become an issue. I'm using now as my card to box ending, and am very satisfied.

On 2013-01-09 01:54, MeHitDrum wrote:
I've had FOB for about two weeks now and it's become a little scratched from the keys, etc. I don't hate that because it's a pretty natural looking object. However, I've had to "age" the switch cover to match the main one. Kind of a pain. That said, this is not really a big problem. Just something to be aware of prior to purchase. I can see it getting worse over time, so replacements may become an issue. I'm using now as my card to box ending, and am very satisfied.

On 2013-01-10 13:29, MaxfieldsMagic wrote:
This is a nice prop, and the effect is good, but it's also pretty much the exact same effect, method and mechanics as Cameron Francis's Fresh Mint. David Penn credits Alex DeCova and Jay Sankey for the MCF switch, and David Stone for a couple of handling ideas (from his Cell DVD), but unless I missed something, there is no mention of Francis on the DVD. And really there is no difference between Francis's effect and Penn's effect, other than the fact that one involves a clear plastic Tic Tac box and the other involves a clear plastic key chain fob.

On 2012-11-26 15:42, Cameron Francis wrote:
So David just showed me this over Skype. Terrific. Very well designed. Lots of great handlings.

As odd as this sounds, I think I'm going to buy one. Yes, I will continue to use Fresh Mint. But I love the no-brainer portability of this. Put it on my key chain and I'm ready to go all the time without even thinking about it. So I'll probably use this as an everyday card to impossible location.

People have pointed out that Paperclipped is the same thing. Well, actually, it's not. I also use this reasoning with Fresh Mint. With FOB or Fresh Mint the card (or bill or whatever) is isolated inside of a container. While I love Paperclipped and still use it, I think having the card inside of an object and then openly removed is a little stronger. The moment of the sw**ch happens BEFORE there is any heat on the object. You are so far ahead it isn't even funny.

One other thing, I know everyone is excited about being able to show the other hand empty. And, indeed, that is possible with one of the handlings. But take it from a guy who's performed Fresh Mint countless times, the is NO HEAT on the other hand. I repeat, NO HEAT. Showing the other hand empty is superfluous.

On 2012-11-26 16:03, Zombie Magic wrote:
Clearly, Cameron Francis is David Penn! I've never seen them in the same room together. What more evidence is needed?

On 2012-12-13 07:10, Merc Man wrote:
A lot of the pros and cons of this item have already been discussed - so my point is not about the product. Skip past if you want.

The matter I would like to raise is pricing; of this trick or any other trick.

Why do people get so obsessed with the cost of a trick?

People saying "this or that is too expensive". What does that mean exactly?

Does it mean that something is too expensive to treat yourself to, as it's just something that's going to be put in the drawer anyway?

It's too expensive because it doesn't look as if it's cost much to make, and is just a piece of plastic/card/whatever with a DVD?

Is it too expensive because of a £10/$20 price differential between any particular trick, and the other things that are sitting in your magic case and never used?

After all, at whatever apparently high price, you could buy yourself two things that you'll never use, rather than just the one maybe?

When I started performing magic seriously around 1980, I remember buying three routines from Joe Riding. His stand-up sponge ball routine, his cut & restored rope routine and his stand-up routine called Counting the Cards. Each pretty cheaply produced, photocopied slim booklet cost me £7.50 - total £22.50.

Thirty two years later, with inflation, you can add a nought onto that - so by today's standards, that's possibly £225.00. My question is, would any of you guys pay this amount of money for three commercial routines in cheap booklets? No props, no DVD's, no gimmicks - just photocopied, stapled booklets? Come to that, would you even pay £22.50 for them? Looking at some comments on here, I doubt that many would.

Now, here's the crux of the matter. I have been performing these three routines constantly for the past 32 years. I've used them in close-up and cabaret many, many times - hundreds of performances - often for some very good money. Three tricks that you can work anywhere, totally surrounded, no re-sets, totally visual and you can work them from your pockets at any time. The patter may have been updated to match current trends, but I perform these tricks exactly the same way as I have done since 1980; and as Joe Riding did for many years before that.

They were advertised as commercial, magic routines - hence their price tag. Joe didn't lie. They were sold to anyone BUT how many people do you think took the plunge and purchased them even back then? One 'name' certainly did - Billy McComb. He used Joe's stand-up sponge ball routine countless times in his performances - very often at The Magic Castle. Unfortunately, McComb released the routine under his own name in the early 90's - but that's another story. However, I'd bet others that also purchased Joe's routines probably still get value out of these booklets to this day.

- So my point is look beyond the props that you receive when making a purchase.

- Consider the VALUE of THE EFFECT NOT THE TOYS you receive to perform it.

- Consider if the trick fits your style. Any doubt, then leave it out!

- Can it be incorporated into your existing routine?

- Is it a better version of something that you already use? If it isn't, then why bother with it?

Sorry, gone off on a ramble - and not for the first time.

However, rather than consider if a trick is too highly priced, start considering the MORE IMPORTANT aspects associated with it. After all, this trick, or any trick, could be mass-produced, and sold for five quid/ten bucks via ToysRUs..........if that's really how some of you guys want this game to go.

Personally, I'd rather pay 500 quid for a sheet of paper - IF it contained a commercial, magic routine that met the above criteria.

Rant over - thanks for reading.