On 2011-02-19 09:51, booswain wrote:
I picked this up yesterday at Target for 3.99. First this is made in the USA by Uspcc and is a revision of Davids Split Spade design. Basically it is edited for young users. For example topless statue on one of the cards is now covered. While this deck is not the same quality as the normal split spades it is good quality and shuffles and handles well. This deck is basically a marked deck. The quality in my mind is the instruction booklet. It starts with a brief message from David Blaine about how he got started in magic as a kid and encouraging young could be magicians. Then there is an introduction by Joshua Jay. There are nine effects explained in the well made booklet that comes with the deck. There are photos to illustrate each trick. The booklet also teaches a basic card force. I was also impressed with the crediting. 30 plus magi are acknowledged. Paul Harris and Ted Lesley are also credited with the marked deck owing much to their work. The booklet ends with three statements.
1 never tell the secret
2 practice diligently so that you respectfully represent the tricks you perform the magic community and yourself
3 perform for others and spread the mystery wherever you go

While a professional magician probably would not use them they are cool to me as a hobbiest. I also believe they would be wonderful for anyone young and old who is interested in magic.

Oh and I forgot that the deck includes a couple of nice gaffed cards.

On 2011-02-19 10:32, trouser wrote:
I recently picked one up myself. I've always only used red/blue Angel-backs for my card tricks. To be honest, I'm not sure how much mileage I'll get with this new Blaine deck since the design doesn't necessarily lend itself to be seen instantly as an "ordinary" deck of playing cards. The gaff looks a little too obvious for me. Upon taking them out of the box for the first time it seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. I agree that it is better suited to a hobbyist.

On 2011-02-19 15:12, trouser wrote:
I haven't used it yet and I've been kind of hesitant. But you all have convinced me that maybe it's worth running around with. Thanks

On 2011-02-19 23:31, rklew64 wrote:
Hmmm, the backs of these decks are not "ordinary" - ok - Everybody send all you Bee Stingers,Tally Ho Circle and Fan backs to me. no rush. just start packing them up. and might as well throw in those Magic Maker colored decks. Hey you there, yea the one holding that Bicycle Tetra deck - throw it over and those too, noo not the Ghost deck, those new fangled Bee Cambric Finish Acorn backs.Thanks. Arrcos? naw, they look suspicious to me.