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volto Special user 603 Posts |
Review of four 'parlor' style items from Mikame of Japan.
- Super Cup - 9/10. High quality and cunning. An exceptionally clever variation on the chop cup principle. In the demonstration videos (which you should check out), there are two effects - a coin penetration and a more 'traditional' chop cup routine. These two effects use two different properties of the cup, i.e. the cup could have been manufactured as two different cups, each embodying one of the principles. The coin penetration is not a 'chop' based penetration - the coins need not be gaffed. Generally high quality (though the balls supplied could be improved, for the price). The cup is 'almost' examinable by a spectator, though the inspection must be managed. Someone looking for the 'chop' mechanism in the obvious way is unlikely to find it, and careful presentation should confuse someone who's familiar with the normal 'chop' method. The principle is laugh-out-loud clever, and I've found it absolutely reliable. - Square squared - 8/10. Pretty, high quality, some careful thought is needed in presentation. This is the 'square circle' concept presented as two lovely looking collapsible wooden square 'tubes', on a wooden base. Thoughtfully designed, though the square shape and muted colors implies a slightly less powerful 'square circle' effect than the traditional gaudy 'caged' front. Because the materials used have been very carefully considered, the difference is only very slight, and as long as the usual square circle caveats are applied - lighting, distance and presentation - the effect is excellent. Load space is large - a 6 and a half inch cube of internal space (it is possible to pack more in by fiddling around, but this is the maximum size of, say, solid steel cube that you could put in the thing, using Mikame's recommended presentation). As usual, you can repeatedly show both tubes empty at any point, then continue the production. However, unusually, you can end by pushing your arm all the way through the nested boxes, due to a bit of Mikame cunning, though 'talking' was a problem for me when I tried this. I give 8/10 because I grade hard. I should say though, this is a very sophisticated looking item, the ideal embodiment of this principle for an adult parlor show, or if your character is of a more traditional kind where red dragons or large cartoon faces don't work. - Mirror a Cle (large) - 9/10. Beautiful and clever. This is expensive, but very well made. The effect (see demo video) is that a silk penetrates a mirror. Part of the penetration can occur when the conjurer is away from the mirror itself. It makes a very slight noise in operation, so soft music is advisable, though the effect lends itself to a musical presentation. I use this as an item in a sequence of silk effects - production, color change, penetration through spectator's arm, mirror a cle, then vanish, and it works well in that context. It's not a 'fooler' necessarily, but it's such a beautiful effect that the entertainment value overrides that. - Treasure box - 7/10. Old principle, careful handling required. As with all Mikame items, check out the demonstration video. The load space is optimally sized, bearing in mind the principle and its inherent angle sensitivity. I've found that the load space can take 'loose' items very well, due to its shape - I wanted to be able to show an empty treasure chest, produce some rings and necklaces, show it empty again, and then pour a shower of golden coins from it - and it works fine for this purpose, although careful handling is needed to cover the angles for the 'pour'. If anyone from Mikame is reading this, if you produced a non-gaffed box of identical appearance, I'd buy it immediately. - Final thoughts The build quality of these items was good, ranging to excellent. I use these props for a parlor show, where the audience is seated and the angles are controllable. It's important to bear in mind that none of these items can be closely examined for any length of time. Details: Super cup - can be handled briefly by a spectator. Almost angle-proof in performance. Square squared - is as inspectable as any 'square circle' - i.e. if your handling allows it, with careful routining and stage management it may be possible to hand the two 'tubes' and the stand to spectators afterwards for examination. But before and during performance, people can't get too close or look down into it. Mirror a cle - cannot be examined before, during or after performance. However, showing it 'clean' is a part of the performance (see demo video). Treasure box - Absolutely not examinable by the audience, though it can be viewed from any angle while it is sitting closed and on a solid surface. It could be spun on a lazy susan, for instance, or handed to the performer on a tray by an assistant. The effect relies on careful handling and angle management. Care is needed if the audience is spread widely to the front - but the 'hand held' nature of this prop means that you have to be careful of audience members sitting on the floor in front of you as well, e.g. children's parties. It can still be used in that situation, but you need to be careful. Overall, these are excellent items and I'm very happy with them. As you can probably guess, I'm not very 'street' in my presentation, so that's worth bearing in mind. I'm happy to discuss via PM if anyone's thinking of taking the plunge. |
Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Great reviews Volto. Thank you for taking the time to be so thorough.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Are there demo videos for these someplace?
I love the wood the Mikame items are made in and all in all they seem pretty resonably priced...
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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LeViking New user 55 Posts |
Where are the videos ?
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illusionist333 Regular user 155 Posts |
Mikame's Changing chest is WONDERFUL! I use it in almost every show I do. It is beautifully made, cleverly gimmicked and looks like a piece of furniture (not a magic prop). A+++ on the changing chest.
Eric |
volto Special user 603 Posts |
Sorry, I should have added these to the original review:
Links to demonstration videos: Super cup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTLasmn111I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgTTeD2dcgU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyUk3t9AW2Q Square Squared: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXPHUihMLXc Mirror a Cle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbNzkYzaLRM (this is the small one - the large one is 22" x 18" but as far as I can tell, identical in appearance and operation) Treasure Box: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgOrsL9h6-c |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Interesting... the mirror is billed as a penetration but as demoed its more of a slow vanish as the silk does not come out the other side.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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volto Special user 603 Posts |
Re: the mirror; you can do it either way. You can present it as though the silk has 'melted' into the mirror, or you can present it as a penetration.
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Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Thanks yeah,a friend PM'd me that.
I do actually sort of like the disappearance... I could imagine a "Through the looking glass" sort of patter/routine with it.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Sadly, Mikame has passed away so not sure if his line will continue or not.
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
El Duco passed away too and his line is being continued....I'd expect Mikame's line to be around for awhile...most of their stuff is amazing quality.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
GhostSurfer Loyal user 224 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-09-08 16:12, illusionist333 wrote: A Derek Lever maxim if I ever read one... GS |
Miraclemakers Special user INA 685 Posts |
Great Review Volto, I will add KNIFE THRU COAT by MIKAME :
Effect: A magician borrows a spectator's coat. Holding a piece of news paper over the front of the coat (proving that the knife will go through the newspaper and the coat), the magician takes a knife and shoves it through the coat and the newspaper. To the spectators delight, the coat has not been harmed! The knife can be handed out for examination before and after the performance! I used it for my own Parlor routine, it pack small and plays big, always get good reaction from spectator....... The knife and props are high quality, the method are smart and easy to do, so you can focus to the presentation. 9.5/10 This is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDaCjnWeul8 |
RickVancouver Special user Vancouver, BC 697 Posts |
I also own the Mikame Knife through Coat. Although the props are well made, I was disappointed that the "knife" supplied looks more like a letter opener, than a knife.
Rick
www.vancouvermagic.com
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. |
lokikross Special user An Undying Heart of Chaos; Stabbed with 719 Posts |
I own the MikameCraft Miser's Dream Granted. It is a solid system that makes Miser's Dream EASY. I actually bought this for the palming coins at Denny & Lee's the day I heard he passed. I felt more at the time like it would be something more to "own", than actually use. Thankfully anytime I want to do Miser's Dream, I do grab this.
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