Hi Everyone,

I would like to buy a video on THE PASS and I am stuck between 2 choices
- Richard Kaufman "On The Pass"
- Ken Krenzel Vol.4 "The Pass"

So my question is; which one would you recommend and most importantly WHY? (pros and cons)

Thanks in advance

Ronnie Lemieux
Montreal
Canada

Get the Krenzel video. Ken executes the move like noone you've ever seen. Kaufman makes it look very robotic,tense and unnatural.

On the pass is probably the dullest video I've ever seen. I nearly fell asleep within the first few minutes. Plus the right hand grip he tells you to use is stupid. IMO

Euan

I recommend Gary Oullets video plus book on the pass, as his size hands are similar to mine, small. This was a great help as the first vid I purchased was Krenzels, whose hands are akin to that of a Yetis and thus useless to the average bear unless intelligent practice is your forte.

J. Swain (taught the pass by Krenzel) has some great modern variants in his video series.

Good Luck.

The Krenzel video will be most useful to you if you already know the mechanics of the classic and herman passes, but need tips and advice on how to properly execute them. He basically gives you the do's and don'ts, and shows you how they are supposed to look. In his hands they look perfect! But, I felt that he truely failed to break down each step of the pass for beginners. He tries, but only breifly. But it is still a good video if you want tips and variations of the pass.

The Kaufman video does a better job of breaking down the mechanics for the beginner. However, the problem with this video is that I don't like Kaufman's left hand thumb action while executing the pass. It complicates the move, making you have to worry about more things. However, he does a good job explaining how it works. He also gives some nice variations and tricks utilizing it.

I have read Gary Oullet's book on the pass, and it is very good book indeed. Well written and helpfull. I have not seen the video companion, so I cannot comment on its effectiveness. They probably do make a good combo.

So, as far as I know, no one pass video is better than the other. The best advice I can give you is get both Kaufman's and Krenzel's videos so you can compare and contrast them and develop a style that's comfortable to you.
Or, you can buy the Oullet book and video combo. The book is good, but you still need to see the pass in action in order to learn it properly. Anymore opinions on the video?

I agree that Ken Krenzells video on the pass is great, but I suggest first, getting Brad Burts teaching on the pass. Then get the Krenzell tape.
vinny

Which video you buy depends on what you are buying it for.

I originally bought the Krenzel video, but ended up exchanging it for the Kaufman video. I wanted a video that TAUGHT me how to do the pass. In this regard, Kaufman's video is clearly superior to the Krenzel video. As mentioned above, Kaufman breaks each pass down step by step. Then shows you how it should look at full speed.

There's no doubt that Krenzel performs the pass beautifully, but I didn't want a video that merely showed me how great somebody could do the various passes. If this is what you want, by all means buy the Krenzel tape.

I learned the pass from Brad Burt video on the pass. It is a great video for beginners. He goes through every aspect of the move. I was very happy with it.
good luck
rick

I think CardGuy said it all! Thanks Frank!

Hi again,

I never heard of Brad Burt before, where could I get his video (I checked Daytona Magic, and they don't have it!!!)

Thanks

Ronnie Lemieux

Hi:

Yes, I'm replying even though I haven't seen any of the videos, but I was lucky enough to see Ken actually perform the pass this past weekend at Card Clinic in NYC and it was truly an amazing thing to watch. His movements are so incredibly natural that you never for a second guess that anything unnatural has happened. I don't know what the video is like, but *** can Ken perform that move to perfection!

Best,

Tony

I totally agree with Frank (Cardguy). I have both. Get Krenzel's if you're already a bit familiar with the moves, Kaufman's if you're not. So if you're a total beginner, get Kaufman's and then get Krenzel's to learn the additional touches.

The Ouellet book& video and the Burt video are also very good, but of course you asked only about the other two.

The Burt video can be had from Brad Burt's Magic Shop in San Diego. He also has a website.

Here is a direct link to Brad Burt's teaching videos: http://www.nexternal.com/bburt/?Target=p......oryID=18

I have not seen his video on the pass - but do have two of his other teaching videos which I was happy with.

Hi Ronnie,

I am new to card sleights and I bought the Kaufman video. I cannot compare it to anything else as I've not seen any other demonstrations of how to perform passes. In my opinion the Kaufman video has given me enough knowledge to learn the different passes (which will take time!!!!) so I can become competent.

At this stage in the game I would certainly say that it is a very good video and even in one of the slow-mo playbacks it is hard to see Richard "do the move"! Quite impressive.

Cheers,

Beetroot

Brad Christian also has a good section on the Pass in one of his ellusionist tapes.

In another, he has a really excellent section on the riffle pass.

-James

I have the Ninja 1 from Brad Christian and it´s a nice way to start learning the Pass. Riffle pass is awsome.

-Rodlages

Although I have never met Brad Burt, I have dealt with him on the phone years ago. He is one of the nicest guys I have talked to and if his pass video is similar to his flourish video, Brad is a very good teacher.

I have no interest in starting a riot but, in my not at all humble opinion, the ancient and unsubstantiated belief that the pass is the keystone of card magic is a load of ... oops, never mind. The word I was about to use has no place in a genteel, family friendly place such as The Magic Cafe.

The pass probably originated among sharpers as a way to neutralize the cut before dealing. It has its uses. No doubt about that, but one can earn (and deserve) a fine reputation as an entertainer with cards without ever doing a pass.

Sure, when I started out, I bought into the gospel of the pass. I spent many hours learning to do it well and many more hours learning some of the twelve thousand variant passes.

Then, one day, it dawned on me that many people could do a relatively invisible pass but very few, if any, could do a pass that didn't scream, "Some kind of funny stuff just happened." My change in belief may have started when (and this really happened) Ed Marlo said to me, "Sid, do a pass. I haven't heard one yet today."

In summation, go ahead -- learn a pass. It will do less harm than (say) air pollution and will give you something to talk about with the guys at the magic shop. However, there are so many easier, less detectable controls. Learn a few of them instead and use the time and energy you save to learn how to entertain.

And, if anyone asks, I'll deny that I ever said any of this,

Sid

what do you guys think about Dingle's pass? in his tannen's vid also his "complete works" book? i have the vid, i watched it, it is almost impossible to see, it's beautiful. I also read the book, but for some reason, i'm doing something wrong, i have a very visible pass so i dont even use it.....

Dingle, Swain, and Krenzel are the pass "all stars". I simply don't believe there is an "invisible pass". I believe that with the proper misdirection and technique no one will see it or register it. But even the pros give tell-tale signals that I can see. I wish I could do it like them, because they do it best, but the idea of an invisible classic pass (at least when the hands are being burned) is a farce. It CAN go by unnoticed, and economy of motion and speed can be very instumental in this. Just some thoughts.

I am obsessed with the pass. It is a love hate kind of thing!!!

You should take a look at Peter Duffies pass its's about as invivible as it gets.