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Bendy Special user Columbus, Ohio 518 Posts |
Here's my overview/review of The Haunted Key Deluxe.
First of all, to answer the question that keeps getting asked: It is solid METAL. No plastic. It's not magnetic, but it is attracted to a magnet. I expect it's steel or iron or some composite containing one or both of those items. It's not light and it's not cheaply made. I actually have a collection of skeleton keys more than 100 years old, (of varying styles and sizes), and I can tell you that this manufactured product looks and feels quite authentic. It is similar in size, weight, feel, design and look to half of the authentic antique keys I have. There are even some 'imperfections' that give the key the look of having been used decades and decades ago. There is some 'rusting' color in just the right places that also look every bit authentic. In case you're unfamiliar with the effect or are wondering...This is a good item/trick for both beginners, (because it's easy to do), and seasoned performers, (because it lends itself to good scripting). As far as doing it in the spectator's hands: If you understand how a pendulum works - how, with the proper audience management and psychology/suggestion, the pendulum will swing in the desired direction, even when held by a spectator; then you can achieve the basic movement within the spectator's hand. May not be 100%, but the percentage is pretty high if you know how to pick the right spectator and know some basic audience management psychology. There's nothing to get 'caught' doing, though; which is a bonus. They can examine the key all they want and this one is made VERY well, and there's no gimmick. It's just a key. There's no harm in trying it in a spectator's hand. They'll swear they aren't moving, but the key will likely move anyhow. With some creative scripting and presentation, if it doesn't work in their hand, it won't be a big deal. It will always work in your hand. As for some of the other things you may have seen in the trailer...those require other gimmicks, (not provided with the key), and will have to be tightly controlled by the magician. However, many magicians already have the gimmick/item needed to achieve everything in the trailer and if you find you don't have it, then it's very inexpensive. Only the basic turning over move will work with spectators. I think the weight of this key makes the necessary 'moves' easier and less likely to be telegraphed. As for the 'tutorial' video: You get a link and a password. It teaches the basic move to start with, but it's more comprehensive than I would've expected, covering placement of the key, as well as arm and body placement to achieve the best results with the least amount of telegraphed movement. it even gives a suggestion about how to pick up the key and get it into position with one, swift, one-handed move. Not a big deal...but it makes for a nice subtlety. Sometimes it's the little things that can make all the difference. Now, I said it's more comprehensive than expected...but don't expect too much. I just didn't think I could learn anything about the basic handling of a trick I've done for nearly two decades, but I actually did. That being said, I wasn't all that impressed with the rest of the tutorial. It's all fine...but nothing I'll ever bother doing. As I mentioned, you'll need another item to pull it off. Not a big deal...just not my thing. But if used with tarot or oracle cards, (they didn't do that in the video - it was just an idea that I had when watching it), instead of playing cards during some kind of seance routine or something there's one of the routines taught that would probably send people scrambling for the light switch. ...if done correctly with the proper acting/scripting. Overall, it's the best Haunted Key I've ever owned or used. I've bought a few variations over the years, (this is either my third or fourth - I think it's the fourth), and this one tops them all. And I think the price is right. Can't charge less...it's made too well. Can't charge much more because, let's face it...it's just a key. LOL Well made, authentic looking and feeling in every way I can think to mention. This is an overdue upgrade to a classic trick/prop in magic. It has finally grown up and become useable instead of looking and feeling like something no one can take seriously. This version of The Haunted Key will be taken seriously. Like with any other magic prop, this is limited only to your imagination. I recommend it. ...Even if you're just going to throw it in a drawer until you get that Halloween gig two years from now; because when that happens, you'll wish you had it handy. |
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Merlinsmagic Inner circle Daly City, CA 1606 Posts |
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On Jun 4, 2020, Magic Mark wrote: Yes Max had said that 2 orhers with missing packages also named Mark, quite re Markable !! 😉 Howdy other Mark 😆 |
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Bendy Special user Columbus, Ohio 518 Posts |
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On May 30, 2020, balzar wrote: I noticed that, too. And even now, several days after its release and when people have keys in hand, Penguin still lists it as, "Discontinued". No future release date or anything. And it's the same promo video, so it's the same product. I find that odd. Don't know if it's a mistake or they decided not to carry it or aren't permitted to carry it yet for some contractural reason. ...I don't know. But that is odd. It is not discontinued, as mine arrived today. |
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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
That’s a weird quirk with Penguins website or whomever runs it. When they sell out of an item it will sometimes be listed as discontinued while other sold out items will be listed simply as out of stock. Not sure why that is.
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
A big thumbs up for this key...mine arrived today.
Good size, great quality and price 👍
I've asked to be banned
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Bendy Special user Columbus, Ohio 518 Posts |
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On Jun 5, 2020, videoman wrote: I tried to order something today that is showing as "In Stock", but on my cart page, there's a message in red that it is out of stock. It was removed from my cart. I could've sworn it said it was in stock, so I went back to the page and, yep...shows in stock. Ordered it. Received a message that it is out of stock and removed from my cart. But...it's in my cart. Appears I can checkout. I don't know which part of the site is not working properly. If they have it and I can order it, cool. If not, I'd rather get it somewhere else, rather than have my card charged and then wait who knows how long for it to be restocked. Very strange glitches in their site and how it lists stock right now. |
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Steven Conner Inner circle 2720 Posts |
Sounds like it's time for personal call.
"The New York Papers," Mark Twain once said,"have long known that no large question is ever really settled until I have been consulted; it is the way they feel about it, and they show it by always sending to me when they get uneasy. "
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rosariorose9 Inner circle Kreskin guessed that I had 1158 Posts |
I've also had that happen a few times in the past - most recently with 'Stabbed.' Weird....
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Merlinsmagic Inner circle Daly City, CA 1606 Posts |
Hocus Pocus still has a few left I believe.
Shipping delay I had was USPS, PH was on top of it when I called them. Just recieved mine now. Max at HP #1 customer service & caring !! |
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Magic Mark Inner circle After this post I will have 1520 Posts |
Yep, Max is the man! Hocus Pocus's customer service has been so good that I've stopped buying from other magic retailers, except when absolutely necessary (such as items that aren't available from HP).
My "lost" package arrived today too. It wasn't HP's fault, it was the post office that caused the delay. Mark
Doing tricks can be easy, being an entertainer is much harder.
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PhilJake New user 73 Posts |
Javier Fuenmayor does a nice demonstration of the basic handling as well as two routines with a couple of better handling techniques for me. The key is the perfect size, weight, balance, and appearance and much nicer than others I have tried. Well worth the price for the prop or even just the bonus 40 minute video.
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DavidKenney Inner circle 2178 Posts |
I am posting all of my reviews in "The Good, the Bad, and the Garbage" (topic at Magic Café) I just posted my review for this - I have video of it in action as well as where the balance point. Nice HD close ups.
link: https://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view......orum=109 |
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ScottMN New user Baton Rouge, Louisiana 72 Posts |
Got mine today - fantastic! As someone who really didn't know how this would work (I didn't know the principal other than IT), I am so pleased at both learning a "classic" method and the quality of the prop! Well worth it.
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hypnoman1 New user 76 Posts |
Finally got mine I echo what the other reviewers have said this one is a keeper! Well worth the price and very well made!
For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation will suffice.
Joseph Dunninger |
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peculiarone Veteran user Fence almost done. I've already put in 324 Posts |
Can anyone tell me how long this is in inches?
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Steven Conner Inner circle 2720 Posts |
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On Jul 1, 2020, peculiarone wrote: 4 1/2"
"The New York Papers," Mark Twain once said,"have long known that no large question is ever really settled until I have been consulted; it is the way they feel about it, and they show it by always sending to me when they get uneasy. "
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peculiarone Veteran user Fence almost done. I've already put in 324 Posts |
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On Jul 1, 2020, Steven Conner wrote: Thanks Steve. I pre ordered this and want to buy a leather pouch to keep its in. Tony |
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Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
I will also say this is an amazing key.
I have owned various versions of Haunted key over the years. And they all worked. However none of those gave me the control that this key provides. This key allows me to freeze the turn mid-way just by thinking about it. It might be something to do with the size, but that control is a real winner for me. |
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Cebulon New user Germany, BW 89 Posts |
What I like about this one is that it's looking like a real old key like you could have lying around somehere in your house. I really like to play around with it and to baffle myself with turning the key around by only thinking of it ;-). And I am still suprised by the comparably low price.
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Merenkov Elite user 413 Posts |
The first time I ever saw this effect, it was performed by Al Goshman (of all people) in a close-up show at a magic convention. He had a climax for the routine in which his large metal key literally ended up with a knot tied in its center. He was selling a set of these keys for around $100 (a lot of money 40 years ago) at that same convention. I was a teenager, couldn't afford the set, and asked him if I could just buy the "trick key" that turned over by itself, but he said no, they only came as a set, haha. He obviously went to a lot of expense to have some metalworker twist knots into those keys...
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