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docz Regular user Norway 123 Posts |
I came across a set of awesome cards! At least by Norwegian standards. Offcourse you can buy Bikes for 5$ a pack, or Bee's for 6$ a pack, byt these are rarely used by regular people. Most people use cheap cards produced in asia, usually thin cards with a superglossy plastic laminate. These cards crack when bent and it doesn't take much practise to ruin a brand new pack. Then I stumbled into a "dollar type store" called "Nille" they had a double set of red/blue backed cards for 3$ a set! that's 1.5$ a deck. Even the crappy cheap plastic laminate cards cost 3$++ a pack, so this is a real steal! I thought that these cards would be even worse than the other cheap cards, but to my suprise they are great! They have thin card stock, but it's ultra stiff! Sleights are real easy to perform, and fancy cuts and stuff go like a dream! The back design is real cool, and the Jokers are so funny to look at, and beg to be used in a funny color monte routine. I haven't found out what type of cards they are, all I know is that they have a wax type finish on the cards, instead of a laminate, the finish is high quality, the back design is real simular to Aladdin cards, they feel and handle great, I think better than Bikes. They don't crack when crimped like the plastic laminate cards, and are great for everything but fanning... but I'm not a "fanner" so that doesn't bother me. The best thing about them is that they are dirt cheap, and really common! I think I'll buy a case of these and start to see if I am able to make some cool gaffs! Anyone know any more about these cards? They are rumored to be made by Carta Mundi, using the same stock used for custom line cards. I've also heard that they are real simular to Jerry's Nugget cards, however I've never used them, so I can't comment on that.
Here are some pics of them: http://www.sandelarsen.com/newcards.jpg I really dig these cards! If there are any norwegian magicians out there, looking for cheap cards, you might want to pick one of these sets up and try them.. Doc-Z |
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
I came across these decks in a "Dollar Tree" store a few years ago. You have pretty much covered the details about them. The cards are made in Malaysia and the sweat shop manufacturer is using the USPCC court card faces. The cards are adequate for most card magic applications and with patience can be taught to faro. Have you discovered the real secret to these cards?
I don't think that Carta Mundi would want to be associated with these cards and the card box sucks. If I have to destroy a deck these are the ones I'd use. Cheers!
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
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Anabelle Special user 951 Posts |
I like the look of these. Can you really get them at a dollar tree? And what is the real secret to these cards?
Anabelle |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Yes, they are from Malaysia. I use them too.
There are 2 types of playing cards sold in Malaysia. The plastic laminate cards are actually made in China. They are imported in by business wholesale traders here and as you know they crack easily. Those that are manufacture or printed in Malaysia are different. They are definitely better than those made in China. There are also other made in Malaysia playing cards that are also cheap and they handle well for close up magic too. The playing cards manufacture here always change in design. But they still look like the Alladin cards. Once their stock finished, they will print another batch with a slightly different design. Basically I have collected almost every type of playing cards sold in Malaysia. Anyone wanting to have them can PM me. I'll see if they are available and I can help you get them. James Tong |
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docz Regular user Norway 123 Posts |
What is the real secret behind these cards? Does anyone know if I can rub off the finish, print custom face alterations on them, and refinish them? IMHO These cards are simply fantastic for the price. For you guys in the US that can get Bikes for 1$ a piece it might not be worth a look, but for us european guys, and maybe you good folks over in Asia, these might be the thing to use!
When it comes to faro, I haven't learned that properly yet, my Bikes protest when I try to do it, my chinese cards split when I try to faro them, the same goes for the norwegian cards by Carta Mundi, these protest like bikes, but they have yet to split like the other cheap cards, I'm guessing you need a slightly different technique since the card stock is stiffer than Bikes? I'm guessing the reason why they don't crack when bent is that the finish is flexible, I don't know if it's wax or just some kind of laquer coating, but it behaves almost like bikes. The reason Bikes don't break is that the plastic coating laquer is flexible, but it uses chemicals that are illegal in most places in europe, which is why the unflexible laminate finish is so common, or at least that is what I've dug up on the web... Doc-Z |
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Doc-Z and Anabelle,
Sent you both a PM! Cheers!
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
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The Amazing Noobini Inner circle Oslo, Norway 1658 Posts |
Hmmm. I saw these in a Nille store and decided not to buy them. Guess I'll have to give them a try after all. My local Kiosk had a double pack of cards with a similar box design, but the backs were different, and atypically, in red or black.
Mr. Tong is right about them looking like Aladdin cards. I have been interested in this back pattern since I happened to see an antique card type which had a nearly identical design, -a Dondorf card with an English pattern: http://www.wopc.co.uk/germany/index.html (click "Dondorf Englich pack", I don't want to deep-link to the guys scans.) The Aladdin design can still be seen in the archived version of this no longer existing web page: http://web.archive.org/web/2004102407471....../al.html docz, what are "norwegian cards by Carta Mundi" that you mention in your last post? I didn't know anyone made a special pattern for Norway, like for instance Piatnik has done for Sweden.
"Talk about melodrama... and being born in the wrong part of the world." (Raf Robert)
"You, my friend, have a lot to learn." (S. Youell) "Nonsensical Raving of a lunatic mind..." (Larry) |
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docz Regular user Norway 123 Posts |
Noobini, I had a conversation with Damm, I tried to see if I could buy some misprinted, scrap cards from them, since I thought they produced the cards themself. But as it turns out they buy "Kronekort", "Kadett", "Super Lux" and those small solitare cards with super lux backs from Carta Mundi in Germany. Kronekort is a custom line made for Damm. But I believe Damm sells these cards in both Norway and Denmark, so they are not entirely Norwegian. Kronekort have a simular finish, but has a much thicker and stiffer card stock, but the same "Wax" type finish. They cost about 30,- a deck (thats about 5-6$) not so cheap....
Doc-Z |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-11 21:30, The Amazing Noobini wrote: There are many cards that are manufactured/printed and sold in Malaysia uses Aladdin design pattern. The only difference between each pattern is the center design. The outer design is like Aladdin. These cards are cheap. |
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The Amazing Noobini Inner circle Oslo, Norway 1658 Posts |
I see. Interesting information all of this!
I think that I will mostly stick to using my Bees and Bikes for now. I am looking for something that would look more ordinary to a Norwegian spectator's eyes, but I think that this will probably be in the form of advertising cards that people will find very trustworthy. I always look at cards from airlines or oil companies and such on eBay, but so far I haven't bought any. They would be a bit more expensive than cheap new cards, but they would serve a different purpose. Because I don't think these Malaysian cards will look any less unknown to an average person here than a deck of Bicycle Masters. I will still get a pack and try them tho. And maybe review them if I ever do continue with my card review web page project.
"Talk about melodrama... and being born in the wrong part of the world." (Raf Robert)
"You, my friend, have a lot to learn." (S. Youell) "Nonsensical Raving of a lunatic mind..." (Larry) |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
My personal belief in magic is to use items that your audience view as normal - something they are familiar with. That way they do not suspect anything.
My patter and presentation is slightly different. I talk about my travels as a professional magician and I collect playing cards. After that I would introduce a deck or two from my collection. And from there I would use those decks to perform. That way people would not question me as I talk about playing cards from all round the world. In fact the audience get very interested with those cards because they have not seen them before. Great way to break the ice too. Hope this experience helps to shed some light to having more ideas for your performance. |
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docz Regular user Norway 123 Posts |
After I discovered these cards, I see them everywhere... My mother has them, my sister has them, my in-laws have them. I think they are fairly common.
Mr. Tong, do you know which manufacturer that makes these cards? (The ones in my picture), I'm thinking maybe I could contact them and get some price info on larger volumes. Doc-Z |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Doc-Z, let me check it out for you.
They are only sold by wholesalers and retailers and the printers always change. I have noticed the different type of Aladdin backs being printed by different manufacturers. Over here it is not like USPCC where they only focus on playing cards - the printers does other printing jobs too. |
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The Amazing Noobini Inner circle Oslo, Norway 1658 Posts |
Hmm. Perhaps Malaysia would be the right place to turn for ordering cards with a custom design then. Interesting thought. The minimum order from USPCCo is 10.000 decks which would be ... a bit too many for personal use and sales within the magic community.
Well... I'm only thinking out loud. At the moment any custom printing concept is beyond my means. But I do have card designing ambitions that I may get to realize in the future. I'm getting really anxious to try these cards now. Think I will have to buy a pack tomorrow and check them out.
"Talk about melodrama... and being born in the wrong part of the world." (Raf Robert)
"You, my friend, have a lot to learn." (S. Youell) "Nonsensical Raving of a lunatic mind..." (Larry) |
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docz Regular user Norway 123 Posts |
Noobini I've been in contact with printing companies in Taiwan and China (or is that the same?) anyways... most require orders from 3000 decks and up for custom jobs. The upside is then you can pretty much design the whole ting yourself. The downside is the cost, not so much the cards, but the shipping and customs charges in our lovely country is the killer. Unless you are willing to buy a 20' foot freight container of cards, it's a pretty steep price. But maybe Malaysia is a differen't story? I surely hope so! I to have card design ambitions.
Doc-Z |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
It is good to have card design ambition. I had that too. Later on I decided against it. The reasons are -
* Minimum quantity order - which is not cheap. * Storage place - the more decks you print the cheaper it is but where are you going to store them. * Shipping charges - may be costly - depending on how it is shipped to you. If it is by freight containers and if you don't get them out quickly you also have to pay container docking fees (charged by the day) * Custom duties - can be very costly. This is a good ambition. But I decided to be more practical. Just my thoughts and not pouring cold water on good dreams and ambitions. |
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DocEdward New user 43 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-13 13:45, JamesTong wrote: I agree. I prefer bikes and bees for just that reason. However, I've found that cards like these are still acceptable for use for a variety of tricks. Especially for tearing, give aways, etc. I need to save $ anyway possible and a cheap deck that handles well is helpful. |
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docz Regular user Norway 123 Posts |
Mr. Tong, thank your for your input. No you are not pouring cold water on my dreams, I appreciate your insight. Creating a custom line of playing cards, or any other product for that matter, requires a lot of work and thought. This is why I'm hesitant, it's something I would consider if I decide to get an import business of some sort on it's feet.
Doc-Z |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Doc-Z, that does not mean you can just let your dream die off like that. You can work on it with a bit of business strategy. Perhaps a wholesale magic business or an online wholesale business.
My dream of having my own fanning cards design is still within me. I am still planning to have that one day. I did not give up. At the moment I am also making plans on how I can profit from my own fanning cards design decks. This is where my future lectures and DVD on my unique fanning techniques and routines would help me. Dreams are what make people great. Translate those dreams into practical strategic actions and you will be blessed. Take care. |
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stoneunhinged Inner circle 3067 Posts |
Doc-Z, thanks for pointing out this thread in another thread about USPCC cards.
All I want to add to this thread is this: the assumption that only Bikes are taken to be "normal" everyday playing cards is a crock of doody. The USA has 300 million people in a planet of over 6.5 billion. What is "normal" in the USA, at least with regards to playing cards, is simply...well...a crock of doody. Basically, I can use ANY CARDS I WANT without it being too suspicious (unless I pull the cards out of a Joe Porper card case). No one cares. No one pays attention. Cards are cards. (This may not be the case in other countries, but here in Germany no one cares.) Therefore I care about quality and price and availability. I DO NOT CARE that my cards look like Bikes or Tally Hos. (Actually, I do care, for aesthetic purposes. But for magic purposes it is irrelevant.) So: have any readers in Germany seen these cards? Jeff |
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