|
|
Judah Vee Special user of the JV Naughty Vanish.... 884 Posts |
My review Of Steal: I am not going to put stars or a scale of one to ten on this review. I am just going to tell you what I like , don't like, areas of improvement,etc... So bear with me.
Alrighty then... Here is my review of Calen Morellis' Steal: In the package you get the instructions, Cardbox/Gimmick, Extra seals, And repair stuff. I'll start out with the instructions: Brief, concise, and well written. There is no patter given but a reason is: He doesn't want carbon copy performances. His words, not mine, but I understand. There are one or two pictures with each effect, and the effects total seven. The pictures are in black and white and just a hair fuzzy, but clear enough to see what needs to be seen. The effects range from meh... to kinda cool!! Pop looks pretty cool. (Pop- The selected card visually jumps out of the box! A perfect ending for an ambitious card routine.) And there are a slew of other effects that jumped into my mind that could be done with this gimmick. Perhaps after a few more people have this, Calen might take some emails and release an e-book of other ideas people have come up with... Or make a forum for it or something. This ia a pretty good 8 page booklet, and I can only think of one complaint: A lack of crediting. I am sure many will see what I saw in the effects: a different way to do SOME effects already on the market. Jay Sankey has Untorn on the market and where the gimmicks are different, some of the effects are the same. For example: The Seal vanishes and ends up on something else in Bluff. A poker chip to be exact. The effect it compares to is Jay Sankeys Seal and Reveal from his Untorn. Here the seal vanishes and shows up on a selection. It should be noted that you can do Sankeys effect a bit cleaner with Steal. There is another effect Pop, that has similarities to a couple effects on the market, but the names and makers escape me right now. In one the selection pops outside the box, but is under a rubberband. Now, all things considered the effects might be the same BUT the methods are different. Still.... When you stand on the shoulders of others, remebering who your standing on is alwas nice. Now... On to the Gimmick! When I first looked in the bag and pulled out the card box, I saw part of the Gimmick right away. Now I did not know HOW it worked at the time, but I will say my FIRST impression was not positive. As a matter of fact, I thought it worked COMPLETELY differently then it does. And after a 2 second adjustment, I became very happy with it again, although I do see room for an improvement when I end up rebuilding a new one when this one wears out. Not so much a change to the gimmick as to a repositioning of a teensy tiny part of the mechanics. The Card box comes flattened, so you do need to do some MILD assembly. You have to make the box a box again by gluing the bottom shut. Easy one time deal. The gimmick itself is interesting and put me in the mind of Mark Mason. Those who like Marks stuff or own some of it will know what I am talking about. This is NOT one of those smack your head and say why didn't I think of that. I would have never thought of this personally. However, the concept has been used before. Just not in this way(I think). It is well made and would not be hard to make another should the original wear out. Which it will. Look at all your decks of card that you have used and notice that the card cases are pretty tore up. This will eventually be how Steal ends up. Calen doesn't go into how to make one, but once you buy it, you will see that it will not be too hard to make another when you need too. Also you could make one out of pretty much any card box you need too. And here is something nice.... Calen provides enough stuff to make several gimmicks or repair the original. A nice addition that others could take a cue from... Now for knowledge sakes, I have had this for two days and have played and played with it, and tonight performed it about a dozen or so times. (I have mine set up for Slide right now) And it went over pretty well. I think Pop will be even better! It is just wickedly visual. Is it easy you say? Wicked Easy. To the point of almost self working (Almost because a few effects use common sleights.) Outta the box, a little glue, and you will be off and running with any one of the effects provided or the ones you come up with. I really like this effect so far. Due to the nature of the Gimmick, I know it will need repair at some point but like I said that will be EASY. And the part is provided. Is it worth 30 bucks? Some will say no. I say yes, for the most part, because I AM using this. I am getting my moneys worth I think, mainly because this is also a Utility, not just a trick. You will think of other things to use this for.... Theres my two cent. I like this effect. Simple. Poof!! -Judah-
I don't care how fast or slow you are.... As long as I am faster.. -J-
|
calen.morelli. New user 46 Posts |
Good review, thanks for posting it.
|
Failed Magician Inner circle Still working on the DL even after made 2100 Posts |
Thanks Judah, I hope I can also contribute a review for this when mine arrives. *fingers cross*
Magic comes through perception. -HS
|
D-Maz New user Canada 14 Posts |
Awesome review Judah. it clears a lot of things. cant wait to get mine =]
-DM |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricks & Effects » » Steal by Calen Morelli Review (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |