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tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
Dear All,
What follows is a review. I apologise that it is not in the official review section, but for several reasons I have posted it here. If the Mods decide to move it, then que sera sera! I've recently got hold of one of RNT2's Close Up Pads. There are two sizes: mine is the smaller one, which measures eighteen by eleven inches. There is also a larger one, which measures twenty three by fourteen inches, and is twice the price. They are available in black or dark green, with silver or gold trim respectively. This smaller pad costs $100, which seems like a lot, right? Well, of course, it isn't just a close up pad, it is a production pad. Dean Dill's comes in at $220, which is slightly more than RNT2's larger pad, but Dean's takes a packet of cards, in addition to four coins and a jumbo coin. Donnie's pads do not have a card slot, but there is a way of producing as many cards as you want. I will explain further down. First of all, the quality is beautiful, as one would expect from RNT2. I should make clear that I've never met Donnie Buckley, and have no affiliation with his company. However, the few purchases I have made, including this one, have been fairly serious purchases for a poor sod like me, and their customer service has been unerringly excellent, as have the products themselves. The full specifications of the pads are easily reached by clicking on the links above, so I will concentrate on my subjective view of this pad. The surface is micro velvet, which feels almost like soft suede and will, similarly, change in shade depending upon which way it is brushed. For some O.C.D. sufferers this may present a problem, but I rather like it. The pad is raised by four legs, giving it a small clearance from the table. It also comes with two raised legs, which can be screwed in to replace the back legs. The pad then slopes gently down towards the audience, not only giving them a better view, but making coin steals even easier. This raised angle, with the help of the pad's surface texture, is not sufficient for coins or cards to slide off, but I don't think it would be ideal for the cups and balls. No matter, the adjustment is a simple one. There are five slots in the back of the pad: a central 3" slot for a jumbo coin and two 40mm slots on either side, which will comfortably accommodate shelled dollar sized coins. These slots are easily accessible, and what you choose to do with them is up to you. Switches can be achieved by use of the servante. Yes, you heard, servante. You see, it comes with a rather gorgeous carrying case, which you can place the mat on, and the flap then opens as a servante; it has been designed that way. This was the primary lure for me, as I've been looking for this sort of thing for quite a while now, and I am very pleased, to say the least. I will not patronise the very esteemed readers of this particular corner of the Café by going into what can be achieved with a servante, but you can see how a coin switch would work, no? Well, just in case you don't, if you buy one you'll find out. Suffice it to say, this servante could easily hold four final loads, or several packs of playing cards, or whatever else you want to put in it. Not grapefruit, obviously, that's what your hat is for. It's not huge, but for a close up or parlour worker, I think this would suffice for most. Now, obviously, you wouldn't be able to carry this around with the pad and the loads in the bag at the same time. That's worth considering for some, but it's not a problem for me personally. What you can do, is to carry it around with the loaded coins in situ, which is great, if you think about it. A word on the colour: the dark green, which is what I have got, is sufficiently dark to show silver off very well indeed, so have no fear on that front. I have lined up copper, silver and brass coins on it, and they show up brilliantly from a considerable distance. The same goes for playing cards of either traditional hue. It is, of course, also available in black. I have never before owned anything other than a generic close up pad, so this was not an impulse buy; I thought long and hard about it. I have 'cleared the basket' more than once in the past few months. I'm afraid I don't really go in for giving scores, it's just not how I was brought up, but I think the review above tells you what I think of it. However, just in case I haven't been clear enough, I love it. For those who scorn close up pads of any kind, I salute you, but please don't use this thread for denigrating their use by others. There are other good threads dedicated to exactly that debate. It's a debate worth having, but I do request that it is not entered into here. Also, this is a high end product. It will not suit everyone in terms of style, and thank goodness for that. Wouldn't life be boring, otherwise? But if, like me, you use beautiful props, and favour elegant magic and handling, then this might suit you very well. It looks like the business, which is a good start. Finally, I do hate those disclaimers one finds in magic reviews that say something like: "After you have made the false transfer of the spectator's diamond encrusted, solid gold Rolex, with appropriate misdirection it is a simple matter to ditch it in your right trouser pocket. They will be none the wiser!" But having said that, if, like me, you are used to body or pocket loads, then loading the servante either as you set it up, or after the climax of an earlier trick, really should be a piece of cake. Oh, and the dimensions reflect the 'golden mean', or 'golden ratio', as I know it. This is a beautiful thing in itself. Thanks for reading, Tom |
billappleton Inner circle Los Gatos, California 1154 Posts |
Thanks Tom nice review!
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tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
It's a pleasure, Bill, hope you're well!
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cupsandballsmagic Inner circle 2705 Posts |
Great review Tom! It's a very elegant looking pad, Donnie makes nice things!
Bri |
tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
Thanks, Bri, I'm a big fan of your site!
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
The RNT2 site says that the pad is designed for coin work. Is there any reason that the pad would be unsuitable for, say, cards or cups and balls? (I would guess not.)
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
Perfect for either, I'd say. There are slots in the actual pads for coins, but the surface is a perfect working surface. With the servante in play, final loads don't have to come from the pockets or body. I'm loving it for cups and balls. The one thing I have needed to modify is my touch with a chink-a-chink coin routine. It's a different material to what I'm used to, but it didn't take long to get the hang of it.
As I said above, if you choose to raise the back legs, then cups & balls would be challenging, in that the balls will roll off. Monkey fist balls would probably work, though. Hope this helps. |
Donnie Buckley V.I.P. Cleveland, Ohio 1123 Posts |
Awesome review Tom!
For me, it's ALL about the golden ratio - a space that is subtly appealing to the eye, of natural dimensions, and attractive for subconscious reasons. |
tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
Awesome pad Donnie!
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kenodad Regular user 141 Posts |
If anyone is still reading, this, including Donny,
How do the slots accommodate halves or dollar-sized coins? Are they adjustable? John |
tomsk192 Inner circle 3894 Posts |
Just for the sake of this thread, (I've been in PM regarding the above question), no, the slots are not adjustable. But no worries, they don't need to be, in all honesty.
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Kbuck54 Veteran user 343 Posts |
I have one in my wish list.
Great review. Keith
SHAZAM!
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Tom did an excellent review. I actually stumbled on this after already having bought one.
I have them all. In addition to Pattrick's pads, I have a few of Dean's and I also have jumbo size custom made Production Pad from Dean, and do love them dearly. I really prefer a little loft on the surface for purse palming, so I like them over soft backed pads. Recently I just bought both of these pads from RNTII and I think I have a new favorite! I have another on the way. If you look at the features, you really can't ask for more...period! The surface is like a baby's bottom, and I love the raised feature and the ability to raise up the back even higher. It makes coin work SO much more visible. AND FINALLY a pad that holds halfs and dollars alike! I was going to design my own honestly but Donnie beat me to it and I'm glad. I was telling Donnie the "Servante"/Case is so deceptive it makes me giggle to myself. Even my wife who's pretty well "in the know" asked if that was supposed to open like that. I explained to her that it's to keep my coins and balls from hitting the floor (which isn't a lie if you think about it... lol). She bought it! Not only that...she was SO glad she wouldn't have to hear me cuss when I did. Incidentally, it has already caught several coins from hitting the floor from my table. As for using the raised option feature, all you have to do is slide the pad back off the table to get the back legs off and you're ready for cups and balls. Again, you really don't need to use the bigger legs in back, but I do like them and access to the slots is a dream! Until now, I never dreamed of using a servante in strolling (who would?)...but I'm going to be trying it at my next gig. Bottom line...GET ONE (or two...or three)! Thanks for an awesome product Donnie! I'm calling this the best deal going in close up right now. Best, Christian |
Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Santa brought me the pad. It is fantastic. I just feel like doing coin magic as soon as I bring it out (and, not I don't typically do coin magic).
Here's my question: how would you use this in a professional gig? For parlor I could see placing it on a small table. But could/would anyone use this for a closeup gig? Or for larger shows?
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
Bluesman Special user Florida 567 Posts |
Thanks for the review.
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Thought I'd bump up my question from January. Anyone?
Quote: On Jan 5, 2015, Magnus Eisengrim wrote:
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
Mobius303 Inner circle Lakewood, Ohio 1309 Posts |
What kind of gig are you talking about? Profesional gig is not specific enough. I sometimes utilize a portable table for gigs and would and could use it for that. I sit down and do close-up at a table ....it could be used for that. I sometimes do bar magic and it can be utilized behind the bar with ease. so yes for some shows it can be used.
For stand up walk around ...not at all because you would not have anything to set it down on like when doing street magic unless you use the portable stand idea and then it is a little small for that. So the initial answer is yes it can be used in a profesional setting. It cannot be used in all settings though unless you adapt an act for it. Mobius |
Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Thanks Mobius. I'm thinking of the sort of gig where a banquet room is set and the magician provides entertainment as guest arrive, but before the main meal. When I do close-up, this is the most common situation. (I much more often perform stand-up. Sometimes I do both in the same gig: close-up before the meal and a stand-up show after.)
I have thought of a portable table or stand, but this would be totally unlike anything I have done in these situations before. It would open some possibilities, but seems very cumbersome.
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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