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jondark445 Special user 716 Posts |
Hi:
Just curious if anyone has had experience with the Axtell Board and the Bogunia Sketch Pad, and what the pros and cons are of each. Which is better? I've tried doing a search on the boards here, but can't seem to find any threads that compare the two.... --Jon |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I've been wondering about this as well. I've searched the Café and discovered quite a few glowing posts about the Axtell board; but I have found very little (good or bad) about the Bogunia Sketch Pad.
So, I phoned my local dealer to discuss the matter. He said he owns the Axtell board, but has also seen Sean's product demonstrated at a magic convention. He think's they're both fantastic products that are extremely well made. According to him, you really can't go wrong with either product, but neither one is absolutely perfect. For the Axtell board, you may need to go to a glass shop and create a modification to eliminate the erasing difficulties. If you're not careful, the glass may break (the dealer I spoke to had to replace his glass insert twice so far). Also, considering the fragile nature of the product, the dealer suggested that a customized carry case would be nice. Unfortunately, a case is only available if you order the remote control version. The Bogunia product has the advantage of being able to tear out the picture and give it away as a souvenir. The disadvantage is that you will need to replace the pad periodically. This shouldn't be a problem according to Sean. You can go to any art supply store and find a replacement pad. The real barrier seems to be the price. The Bogunia product is significantly more expensive than the Axtell model. So, at the end of the day, the dealer simply asked me if I thought the ability to tear out the sheet justified the difference in price. Anyways, that's the info I have been able to get on these two products. Hope that helps. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Whoa... there is no Axtell vs. Bogunia here. Sean has been a good customer over the years. We've been making our Axtell Magic Drawing Board since 1986 and have sold nearly 25,000 of them. With my dry erase approach, you not only magically draw the character on and joke with him, but you comically make changes (bigger ears, change him to a woman, etc) but also the drawing freaks out as you start to erase him and then you erase his mouth (mmmm-mm-mmm) and then erase his eyes to great applause. We also have pre-recorded routines available for the magician at http://www.axtell.com (a new one featuring Houdini is coming out soon!)
Sean later creatively combined the drawing effect with the pad of paper (Martin's cardiographic) and did not infringe on our patent as some have claimed. He's a clever inventor with a good reputation in the magic field, and the Sketch Pad deserves your consideration. Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
I have owned my Axtell board for nearly 3 years now. I have never had a problem with erasing. I may be mistaken but I think I read that the early models had this problem. I never leave anything on my board. I always erase it when I'm done. I would never use glass as a replacement.
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johnnymagic Regular user 114 Posts |
Just got my Axtell Drawing Board last week and can't wait to use it in my next show. After I practice of course
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Ron Reid Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 2732 Posts |
Hello Jon:
I bought the Bogunia Sketch Pad and returned it to my dealer for a refund. I bought the small hand-held version, and am assuming the general workings are the same with the larger pad (minus any electronics). The pad is well made and clever. The BIG problem for me is that it can be very "iffy" when done outside - a little bit of wind can destroy the illusion and reveal the secret to the audience. That's the only reason I returned it; I always go for props that can be done just about anywhere, and the Sketch Pad Surprise is not that type of prop. I have never owned the Axtell board because it cannot (or should not) be performed in all conditions - mainly, with the audience close to you. I think the method is somewhat obvious if the audience is close to you. Most of my shows are in homes or places where the audience is fairly close; again, I don't want to worry if an audience can see how a trick is done because they're too close. If neither of these things are important to you, then either one will work. For instance, if you're doing mainly school shows, I don't think you really have to worry about wind or the audience being too close. Ron |
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
The clear plastic on the front of the Magic Drawing Board is erasable with Expo2 (Low Odor) markers. Other dry erase makers (Even regular Expo) will not erase from the plastic. Expo2 Low Ordor is alcohol based. Others are keytone based and will stain this plasitc. Even the Expo2 should not be stored with the ink on it for more than a couple of days. If you follow this erasing is not a problem. We do not recommend glass as a substitute because of the potential breakage. We've got some new modifications and more amazing products coming out soon....stay tuned. Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
Maybe that's why I never had an erasing issue because I always use Expo2 dry eraser markers. The potential breakage is EXACTLY why I would never use glass as a replacement. It's possible to polish the plexi with a car product called Maguires #7 or even #3. It removes scratches and any residual ink and keeps your board looking new. I have not had to use it yet but I do use those products to repair DVD's and CD's that have bad scratches with great success. We rent from Netflix and some of those DVD's we recieve just will not play through because of the scracthes. I should send Netflix a bill for all the DVD's I have repaired!
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jondark445 Special user 716 Posts |
Steve:
In posting my original message I didn't mean to infer that there was any sort of competition between yourself and Sean. What I mean was what are the comparisons between the two products--I believe a legitimate question since they are, in many ways, similar, and, mostly likely, someone would not perform the drawing board and then follow it up with the sketch pad. I need to make a decision whether to purchase one or the other, and am looking for non-biased, objective views from people who have had experience with both. Hope you didn't take my post the wrong way, I didn't mean to insult or infer anything. Thanks everyone that's contributed so far. It's been a great help!!!! Best, --Jon |
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Jon - I totally undestand and welcome continued and further discussion of the products. The subject title just kind of threw me so I wanted to clear it up. Carry on....
Muzicman - Interesting idea. The original plastic we use is indeed polished on the outside. If it works to restore the board to original erasing please let me know. Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
olivertwist Special user Nashua, NH 588 Posts |
I use the Axtel Drawing Board in almost every show (I only omitt it when doing a show for a group that has seen it, but even then, they might want it again). I always use it at birthday parties and it goes over great. I worry about people figuring out the method about as much as I worry about them figuring out how I make a vinyl puppet, or a dummy talk. The prop and the routine are entertaining. The audience loves it. Adults want to see it again. They know the board doesn't comes alive, but the illusion works and the dialog is what makes it entertaining.
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SBogunia New user Niles MI 42 Posts |
Thank you Steve
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Fabio P Special user Rome - ITALY 554 Posts |
Hi,
I wonder if the erasing problems of the Magic Drawing Board have been fixed. I am interested in buying one..... Fabio |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
I recently bought one, and it is great. I was worried about doing it close-up, so I did it at a BD party yesterday and the kids were maybe 2 feet away, and loved-it. My parties are real loud, but that shut them up. Wild & crazy to . . . SILENCE when “he” spoke. I got a few gasps from the adults in the back too. Since I just got it last week, the routine I used was pretty short, but it is a wonderful prop.
I have not had any problems erasing it. |
magicbern Inner circle Hong Kong, China 1220 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-21 07:50, fagani wrote: I purchased a drawing board from Steve Axtell many years ago and used it to great effect - however, the erasing was a slight problem with the old board's surface. However, when I bought a new one from him early this year, there is a new drawing surface which eliminates this problem. Also, if you have an older one you can just purchase the new surface and replace your old one! So, there's no excuse not to buy one now! |
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Only use Expo2 markers on the plastic surface. They are alcohol based and will not stain the plastic. Problems come from substituing other dry-erase markers. Markers and Extra Plastic for the board are available at the website. http://www.axtell.com/illusions.html
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
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