Hello all,
I was hoping that someone could review this effect for me. It is officially "Petrick and Mia's Linking Razor Blades" and you can see a video demo of this effect on Magicsmith.com . So if you have this, please tell me your thoughts on it! And if you do not have the effect, watch the video demo and tell me your thoughts! I plan on using this effect around the same time as a needle through arm bit during my children's birthday party shows (just kidding!)

I always like to start my shows off with the old "spectator walks across broken glass" trick. Just kidding!

The blades look good but not as good as the safety pins and not as versatile. Also, eventually the blades will rust. So I would only by it if you have a very specific routine to do with it, otherwise stick with the safety pins.

Matt

I've had a set of Linking Razor Blades for about 15 years or more. I use them for table hopping or walk around and have always recieved a great response. Even knowing the secret and watching it happen, I'm still amazed. I don't try to show the blades to be real or that they are sharp. It's pretty much a visual understanding.

I hold a blade in one hand, rest a second blade on it and just "concentrate"???? The blades seem to melt together. It's up close, visual magic and they just link. I don't use the entire set, however. I think it gets boring after two links but that's just my opinion.

As to the blades rusting, as I said, I've had my set for over 15 years and they look brand new. I don't coat them with oil or anything. Just wipe them down after each performance and put them back in the case. I've never used the safety pins so I can't compare them to the blades. Word of warning though. The blades are real, double edged razor blades and they are sharp. I had a few minor accidents when I first got them.

I had this around 20 years ago when it first came out. A clever idea but it never made it into my performing repertoire. Of course, that is not to say that YOU might not be able to make it play in a comic/dangerous presentation.

I tend to agree with Matt in that to me the Linking Pins just looks better (and are perhaps a little more versatile with the various methods and handlings out there).

Of course, for a VERY quick table hopping "link" type trick, there is always Sankey's "Chain Reaction".

Paul.

Well, I just got them in. I must say that the gimmick looks kind of obvious (wonder how I missed it on the demo video). Tell me Dave, is this just because I know how it's done that it appears obvious to me? Have you ever been caught? Maybe I need to just sit down and practice the handling. I do have an application for this effect and if I can get it down, it will be a real "reputation maker" for me. Do you (or anyone) have any tips on the handling? I see that Petrick is selling a video with the effect on it; however, after spending a Canadian fortune on the blades themselves it is highly unlikely that I will be buying his video. Thanks a lot,
Mike

Mike

I think if you present them well no one will see the gaff. Just make sure the routine flows and there will be no time for the audience to catch on. Remember it's much more about a constant flow than trying to hide the gaff with this efffect.

Matt