There was some buzz about this upcoming release back in February with posts by Larry Davidson, Scott, and Bob Kohler. Are there any updates on when this might be released. I waited patiently for 4 months for some news but now it seems time to open up this discussion again in its own thread.

Thanks for any updates guys!
-Dave

Hi Dave,
It's still in our pipeline. Scott improved the gimmick so we're in the final stages of working out the manufacturing. Stay tooned!

Bob

Thanks Bob...I'm really forward to this one!
-Dave

Still keeping any eye out for this. Any new news?

Britt

It is now expected to ship on 1st of februari. Pre-orders are possible at:

http://www.bobkohlermagic.com/vcom/produ......s_id=112

Is this a $200 cut & restore rope trick, without a demo video?
Al Angello

I've never seen a Kohler/Alexander product I didn't like, but I do have to disagree with the majority of the ad talking about other versions of c&r.

I just bought a 1,500' spool of 1/4" cotton rope for around $200, surely there must be a demo of this revolutionary new cut, and restore rope trick.
Al Angello

Sorry guys, no demo. The value of Slashed is part method, part presentation. A demo would only due the routine justice if it showed the entire routine.

I won't go into the details they are all covered on my website.

Al, if I had 1500' of rope I'd use it. By the way, Penn State is one of my favorite college football teams.

The rope we're using is 1/2" in diameter and is way too expensive to actually cut and chuck after the show.

Thanks Bob
I have about a years supply of rope right now, but I will be sure to read the reviews.
Al Angello

Al,
Anyone with a B. B. King quote can't be all bad.
"Nobody loves me but my mother, and she could be jivin', too" (B.B. KIng)
Patrick

Patrick
This is a terrible distraction, and I apologize, but my favorite B.B. King song is "I've got papers on you baby"

Now back to "Slashed"
Al Angello

Scott Alexander and Bob Kohler have hit a home run with the “Slashed” prop and routine.

Let me say that I have been doing some version of “Cut and Restored” rope for over 40 years. Like almost everyone I started using Edward Victor’s nice move. However, I quit consuming rope after George Sands taught me his version (“Rope-Sational” not “Sandsational") in 1963 (booklet was published in 62). I’ve used the Sand’s routine for a long rope routine pretty much since. The only time I do a version that actually consumes rope is when I am doing a show where I want to do the cut and restored melded to the “Professor’s Nightmare” (Slydini).

It was Sands that invented the finger as scissors cut that both Alexander and Kohler (amongst others, including me) see as a weakness in the routine. I’ve never used the ploy believing that it really tipped the method off to the audience. I’ve always used a pair of scissors or a knife.

In 1976, Pat Page convinced me to shorten my rope sequence and showed me his simplified version of George Sands’ work “Eternal Rope”. I’ve used it as a staple since. Think George Sands with 2/3 of the routine tossed out!

I’ve watched and played with Tabary’s routine but have never performed it anywhere. Frankly, for all it’s artistry I prefer the Sands routine.

OK, why do I mention any of this. Well, folks, Alexander has taken from everyone that I have mentioned , giving full credit to all by the way (except Page), and added some of his own moves and handling to make a very logical, very magical, and very fun/funny routine. There are parts that will even fool (if not fool at least please!) knowledgeable rope performers. I watched the DVD before looking at the props (a habit of mine). I was pleasantly pleased with the whole routine and sucked in with a “WOW” at two points. One was a very clean display (made me sit up and pay close attention) and the other was when he tossed the rope out to the audience (made me stand up saying “no way“)! What stones!!

Let me say that last part again. There is a point in Scott’s performance where he has audience member’s tug on the rope. Remember it is a gimmicked rope!

The props: As has been mentioned on this thread, the rope is ½ inch in diameter by about 8 feet 5 inches long. It is a woven cotton rope (where in the world did you find that?). The gimmicks are well set and concealed (and marked for ease of use). The rope comes with removable colored bands in place as a teaching aid. Following the advice for the cleaning/care of the rope one would expect that it should last for a long time.

The cutter is a Stanly “Box Cutter” whose blade has been “fixed” (can’t say gimmicked or Feked”) to render it somewhat harmless.

Honestly, the gimmicked rope already exists on the market. In fact, I already have a rope gimmicked in exactly the same manner (actually I have five of them since I use it almost daily). However, comparing the two is like comparing a Yugo to a Rolls Royce! There simply is no comparison. I will be ordering a second “Slashed” as a backup since it will replace what I am now doing. I tend to worry that an item that I use constantly will leave the market and never be found again (it has happened more than once!). So I will get at least a second item for the shelf for the time that the one I am using becomes worn out, broken, or even comes up missing (and that time will come).

The DVD: You have two performances, one live comedy performance and one studio performance done silent to music to give you the breath of possibilities for this routine. You also are provided with the music to use (free to use) if you want to perform to music. That was a nice touch.

The instruction part of the disk is clear, easily assessable, and complete. As I mentioned above the rope comes set up with color coded bands for ease of learning. Scott has the same color coded bands on his rope making learning the routine truly easy. Many of you already know some of these moves and will only be learning a new sequence of moves and a couple of nice new moves developed by Scott.

The instructional DVD is what one has come to expect from Kohler productions, clear with well lit and well staged shots, using close-ups where necessary to help make things even clearer. In all it is a top notch production - well done.

Misc: You also get a 5 page, single sided, manuscript that provides some of the history of the evolution of the trick and props, discussing the care and cleaning of the rope. It also discusses the care, maintenance, and proper use of the box cutter (including a note of warning on air travel with the cutter). Tells you how you might replace the rope. And finally tells you how to access the royalty free music and gives you license to use it anywhere (even on broadcast TV).

I believe that anyone that has used Sands, Daryl’s, or Tabary’s rope routine will learn this routine easily and quickly. A newcomer to rope magic will find it easy to learn the routine from the DVD and with only a little practice be out performing this in short order.

I believe a person wanting to add a strong rope sequence to his/her act need look no further, this is it.

Thank You for the review Harry,
fine fine job .

Only leaves Me with one question before I order.

Can We buy a replacement rope , if so ...
at what price?

Thank you for the excellent review.

I don’t think that the cost of a replacement rope is firmly set right now. It will probably be determined by the cost of the various components at the time of replacement. Bob Kohler outlines the process in the manuscript. It is, 1. Replacement pricing will be set at the time of replacement and 2. You must send the original rope back with the replacement order and payment.

Honestly I think that it is a fair deal.

I’ll probably spring for a second rope (the whole package) and stick it on my shelf. Then when the first rope finally gives up the ghost I’ll send it back for a replacement as I am using the backup rope from my shelf. That way I won’t miss a beat (gig) and will always have a backup waiting.

Is the rope truly "examined" by members of the audience, or are they simply allowed to tug on the ends?

Thanks Harry...you really hit all the reasons that I do this routine as opposed to others. My apologies for not mentioning Pat Page. I wasn't aware of his contribution.

As for the rope being examined, we're not talking CSI here ...I believe that the examination that I allow the audience to put the rope thru is enough for them to "give up" and accept the rope as real. Three people get to look at the rope.

Scott

The reason I ask is that my Tarbell gimmicks (cost $5) are invisible at 7 feet and allow spectators to pull on the ends and handle everything apart from the middle of the rope.

Tarbell gimicks are indeed a fine solution but I wanted mine to be more easily manipulated.

Scott