Conjuring Arts Acorn Back(2ndEd)
Where to buy:
Store | Conjuring Arts Research Center
Store*::*Warning ... ds-p2.html
Price: $3.95/Deck
For more information about my reviewing methods and a list of other reviews: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=156760&p=1224367#p1224367
If you are interested in my Buyers guide
check out this link: http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?30984-Playing-Card-Buyers-Guide
Initial Impressions:
Wow! Talk about a group of guys who take criticism well! It seems as if all of the beefs I had with the 1st edition (not many btw) were addressed with this deck. No secret to readers of my reviews that the CA Acorn back design is one of my all time favorites. Such a great ode to the book that inspired the guys who went on to inspire all of us, and yet to a laymen it looks like an everyday deck of cards(ie. No skulls, death metal imagery, or other fluff that might make it look like a “trick deck.”) Anyways, the original stock was a stiff and thick stock that was great for a stand up performer but a little clunky for tabled magic and gambling demos. Due to the back design I just wanted to do more gambling demos with the acorn back but the stock just couldn’t match the performance you would get out of a deck printed on the venerable Aristocrat stock(EATCT, Stingers, and Banknotes.) Well the new stock the Special Edition(2nd) Acorns are printed on really feels like a stock that can be all things to all people and instead of doing all those things at an average level, such as its’ predecessors, this stock may actually excel in many areas! Much like the second edition smith backs these cards are given a traditional cut which should please those who do tabled and one handed faros. What’s different about this offering is that they printed it on a thinner stock that still manages to be about as stiff as the Casino Grade stock. I really don’t know if they have a name for this stock or if it is just a stock we already know that has been processed differently but whatever they did it is fantastic! Imagine a stock as thin as an Aristocrat but as stiff as the Casino. Add in the traditional cut and the Bee finish which makes cards shuffle and fan so nicely and you can see why I am so excited about this deck!
The Look:
One of the coolest back designs ever concocted. The original run came in a borderless design though the ones I am reviewing(Ivory and Cambric finishes) come with a white border. The back is the same green as the original “Expert At The Card Table” book and instead of the usual Bee diamonds the background is filled up with miniature images of hands performing various techniques found in the book. [The hand images are pretty small so I can’t guarantee you the accuracy of this but it appears that the images are: Fig. 18- Indicating cut location from a crimp. Fig. 25- Bottom deal. Fig. 32- Stock Shuffle. And Fig. 44- Bottom Palm when cards are riffled. ] In the dead center of the back is a circle with four crossed acorn images set in a flower pattern. Jutting out from the small acorn circle are two larger circles that have a 1902 at the top and have a fancy SWE scrolled in the center. The Ace of Spades is a standard Bee tax stamp. The Jokers have sketch art of a man sitting at a card table, his back turned, and two aces can be seen on the table. The court cards are the “large image” court cards that many have seen on the Arrco decks. Though I don’t see anything unusual about the queens or jacks it is obvious that the kings all represent someone who had a hand in this deck. Those familiar with the split spade decks will recognize David Blaine on the King of Spades. I am fairly certain that Guy Hollingsworth’s profile view is used for the King of Diamonds. The King of Harts and the King of Clubs are definitely other magicians as well, at least different from standard artwork. I think Bill Kalush is the King of Hearts but I have no idea about the King of Clubs.
Card Construction:
As I said in the intro, these come on a much thinner stock than the Casino Grade stock. 52 cards has a width of about 15mm which puts them on par with the Aristocrat stock and about 3 – 4 cards thinner than a Bike 808. These are also given a traditional cut which makes them easier for back-side up one-handed faros and tabled faros. The Ad copy also mentions that this stock was designed to perform better in humid climates. I’ll be performing this review during the most humid time of the year here in Korea so I will definitely have an opportunity to test that claim.
Handling:
Fanning: OOB: 9
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TB
4th Week: TBD
As with most cambric finished decks the Acorns fan well out of the box. However, the added stiffness in the stock makes them a little less smooth than the Aristocrat.
Spring Energy: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
Even with the thinner stock they managed to make a deck that is about as stiff as the original Acorn Backs that were printed on the Casino Grade stock.
Dribble: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
An above average performance in a dribble but this wont quite dribble as smoothly as a Bike 808 and it is not even close to an Aristocrat.
Crimp Hold/Recovery: OOB: 7
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
On first inspection this looks like an average score but when you consider that the Casino Grade stock’s Achilles Heel was it’s ability to keep and recover from crimps I’d say this is a huge improvement on the previous decks from Conjuring Arts.
Single Card Glides: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
A good solid deck for guys doing lots of glide work.
2+ Card Obfuscations: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
The Special Ed. Acorns are very solid performing deck for doing knacky doubling techniques.
Gaff construction and availability: DIY only.
XCM Flourishing: This deck probably won’t excel in any specific style of cardistry though it is stiff enough for multi-packet cuts and fans well enough for for split fans and the like. It won’t be the best for an Anaconda and I find that aerial packet cuts are a little sketchy.
Who Should Buy?: Any magician regardless of style.
Who should not buy: This might not be a great choice for guys dedicated to flourishing though it will perform well enough for them if they like the back design.
Final thoughts:
Well I got these cards about two weeks ago and thought I might hold off on the review for a bit. Bee cards, both Aristocrat and Casino stocks, have proven to be notoriously susceptible to humid weather and I wasn’t sure I wanted to “Taint” the review. Needless to say I couldn’t stand it anymore. I cracked the seal and said [edited]. Am I glad I did! It is the most humid time of year here in Korea and we have had about 2 straight weeks of rain. I have been playing around with them for a few days now and I have to say I am thoroughly impressed. Not only are they handling the humidity well but they are doing it better than any other Dimpled card from the USPCC line that I have tried. Certainly they have lost a little of their “pop” but that is to be expected, even my Fourniers and Aladdins lose a bit of pop when the humidity is this bad. They haven’t gotten “sloppy” though. I have seen otherwise wonderful decks of cards swell up like an old ladies ankles in this kind of weather but so far so good…these guys are real troopers.
I liked the original Acorn back cards on the casino stock. I really liked the Smith back cards on the casino stock with the addition of the traditional cut. I LOVE these. Conjuring Arts has made specific and identifiable improvements in each deck of cards they have produced so far. I also glowed about the price in the Smith Back review. A high quality custom deck of cards for only $4.00($3:50 for members!) was about the best deal available. Well with the recent improvements in stock I’d say (barring any unseen event in the longevity review) that I would choose the Conjuring Arts Special Edition Acorn Back (Cambric) deck over any other custom deck USPCC makes! When you factor in its’ performance, versatility, look, and resilience to the weather it is simply the best deck of cards USPCC makes!
Where to buy:
Store | Conjuring Arts Research Center
Store*::*Warning ... ds-p2.html
Price: $3.95/Deck
For more information about my reviewing methods and a list of other reviews: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=156760&p=1224367#p1224367
If you are interested in my Buyers guide
check out this link: http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?30984-Playing-Card-Buyers-Guide
Initial Impressions:
Wow! Talk about a group of guys who take criticism well! It seems as if all of the beefs I had with the 1st edition (not many btw) were addressed with this deck. No secret to readers of my reviews that the CA Acorn back design is one of my all time favorites. Such a great ode to the book that inspired the guys who went on to inspire all of us, and yet to a laymen it looks like an everyday deck of cards(ie. No skulls, death metal imagery, or other fluff that might make it look like a “trick deck.”) Anyways, the original stock was a stiff and thick stock that was great for a stand up performer but a little clunky for tabled magic and gambling demos. Due to the back design I just wanted to do more gambling demos with the acorn back but the stock just couldn’t match the performance you would get out of a deck printed on the venerable Aristocrat stock(EATCT, Stingers, and Banknotes.) Well the new stock the Special Edition(2nd) Acorns are printed on really feels like a stock that can be all things to all people and instead of doing all those things at an average level, such as its’ predecessors, this stock may actually excel in many areas! Much like the second edition smith backs these cards are given a traditional cut which should please those who do tabled and one handed faros. What’s different about this offering is that they printed it on a thinner stock that still manages to be about as stiff as the Casino Grade stock. I really don’t know if they have a name for this stock or if it is just a stock we already know that has been processed differently but whatever they did it is fantastic! Imagine a stock as thin as an Aristocrat but as stiff as the Casino. Add in the traditional cut and the Bee finish which makes cards shuffle and fan so nicely and you can see why I am so excited about this deck!
The Look:
One of the coolest back designs ever concocted. The original run came in a borderless design though the ones I am reviewing(Ivory and Cambric finishes) come with a white border. The back is the same green as the original “Expert At The Card Table” book and instead of the usual Bee diamonds the background is filled up with miniature images of hands performing various techniques found in the book. [The hand images are pretty small so I can’t guarantee you the accuracy of this but it appears that the images are: Fig. 18- Indicating cut location from a crimp. Fig. 25- Bottom deal. Fig. 32- Stock Shuffle. And Fig. 44- Bottom Palm when cards are riffled. ] In the dead center of the back is a circle with four crossed acorn images set in a flower pattern. Jutting out from the small acorn circle are two larger circles that have a 1902 at the top and have a fancy SWE scrolled in the center. The Ace of Spades is a standard Bee tax stamp. The Jokers have sketch art of a man sitting at a card table, his back turned, and two aces can be seen on the table. The court cards are the “large image” court cards that many have seen on the Arrco decks. Though I don’t see anything unusual about the queens or jacks it is obvious that the kings all represent someone who had a hand in this deck. Those familiar with the split spade decks will recognize David Blaine on the King of Spades. I am fairly certain that Guy Hollingsworth’s profile view is used for the King of Diamonds. The King of Harts and the King of Clubs are definitely other magicians as well, at least different from standard artwork. I think Bill Kalush is the King of Hearts but I have no idea about the King of Clubs.
Card Construction:
As I said in the intro, these come on a much thinner stock than the Casino Grade stock. 52 cards has a width of about 15mm which puts them on par with the Aristocrat stock and about 3 – 4 cards thinner than a Bike 808. These are also given a traditional cut which makes them easier for back-side up one-handed faros and tabled faros. The Ad copy also mentions that this stock was designed to perform better in humid climates. I’ll be performing this review during the most humid time of the year here in Korea so I will definitely have an opportunity to test that claim.
Handling:
Fanning: OOB: 9
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TB
4th Week: TBD
As with most cambric finished decks the Acorns fan well out of the box. However, the added stiffness in the stock makes them a little less smooth than the Aristocrat.
Spring Energy: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
Even with the thinner stock they managed to make a deck that is about as stiff as the original Acorn Backs that were printed on the Casino Grade stock.
Dribble: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
An above average performance in a dribble but this wont quite dribble as smoothly as a Bike 808 and it is not even close to an Aristocrat.
Crimp Hold/Recovery: OOB: 7
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
On first inspection this looks like an average score but when you consider that the Casino Grade stock’s Achilles Heel was it’s ability to keep and recover from crimps I’d say this is a huge improvement on the previous decks from Conjuring Arts.
Single Card Glides: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
A good solid deck for guys doing lots of glide work.
2+ Card Obfuscations: OOB: 8
1st Week: TBD
2nd Week: TBD
3rd Week: TBD
4th Week: TBD
The Special Ed. Acorns are very solid performing deck for doing knacky doubling techniques.
Gaff construction and availability: DIY only.
XCM Flourishing: This deck probably won’t excel in any specific style of cardistry though it is stiff enough for multi-packet cuts and fans well enough for for split fans and the like. It won’t be the best for an Anaconda and I find that aerial packet cuts are a little sketchy.
Who Should Buy?: Any magician regardless of style.
Who should not buy: This might not be a great choice for guys dedicated to flourishing though it will perform well enough for them if they like the back design.
Final thoughts:
Well I got these cards about two weeks ago and thought I might hold off on the review for a bit. Bee cards, both Aristocrat and Casino stocks, have proven to be notoriously susceptible to humid weather and I wasn’t sure I wanted to “Taint” the review. Needless to say I couldn’t stand it anymore. I cracked the seal and said [edited]. Am I glad I did! It is the most humid time of year here in Korea and we have had about 2 straight weeks of rain. I have been playing around with them for a few days now and I have to say I am thoroughly impressed. Not only are they handling the humidity well but they are doing it better than any other Dimpled card from the USPCC line that I have tried. Certainly they have lost a little of their “pop” but that is to be expected, even my Fourniers and Aladdins lose a bit of pop when the humidity is this bad. They haven’t gotten “sloppy” though. I have seen otherwise wonderful decks of cards swell up like an old ladies ankles in this kind of weather but so far so good…these guys are real troopers.
I liked the original Acorn back cards on the casino stock. I really liked the Smith back cards on the casino stock with the addition of the traditional cut. I LOVE these. Conjuring Arts has made specific and identifiable improvements in each deck of cards they have produced so far. I also glowed about the price in the Smith Back review. A high quality custom deck of cards for only $4.00($3:50 for members!) was about the best deal available. Well with the recent improvements in stock I’d say (barring any unseen event in the longevity review) that I would choose the Conjuring Arts Special Edition Acorn Back (Cambric) deck over any other custom deck USPCC makes! When you factor in its’ performance, versatility, look, and resilience to the weather it is simply the best deck of cards USPCC makes!
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