I don't normally post reviews, but this time I couldn't help myself. Any comments or feedback is appreciated.
I just purchased "The Extractor" by Rob Bromley and Peter Nardi from Alakazam -- they are in the UK, but I got mine from my favorite magic shop in NYC. And I am seriously blown away. This thing is crazy. It will fool laymen and magicians alike.
So what is it?
You have the spectator freely select a card -- no forces required. They can sign the card. You have them place the card into the middle of a deck -- in the box! -- and seconds later, you have that same card appear... well pretty much anywhere you want! In your pocket, in a shoe, you name it. (I even have an idea for getting it into their pocket, but I need to work a bit more on that.)
It's very clean, and while some sleight is required, it's extremely minimal. I'm a medium-skilled beginner -- with small hands -- and I don't expect to have any problems with anything.
The device comes with a DVD explaining several possible effects. The explanation is very detailed -- almost too much so. And while the described effects are great, the possibilities for inventing effects yourself are mind-boggling.
Most of the effects described rely on you wearing a jacket. But a hoodie could do as well, though you might have to make some slight adjustments -- you just have to play with it and see what works for you.
The only drawback here is the price. I paid a cool $100 for mine. However, when you take into account that each device is hand-crafted by Rob Bromley, as well as the possible applications here, that price seems fair. I was going to wait to pick this up, but I was hearing that they were selling out from several sites, so I hurried out and got mine.
The real strenght here, as Peter says on the DVD, is that everything is so well disguised. You easily convince even an experienced audience that there is no gimmick or move... when there is both!
You can see some YouTube clips here, here, and here.
The device is well made, and will last years with minimal care. Don't sit on it, and you should be fine.
This is one of the best things I have seen for quite a while. I give this a 9.5/10 -- only because I never give out 10s.
Would love to hear what other people think of this.
I just purchased "The Extractor" by Rob Bromley and Peter Nardi from Alakazam -- they are in the UK, but I got mine from my favorite magic shop in NYC. And I am seriously blown away. This thing is crazy. It will fool laymen and magicians alike.
So what is it?
You have the spectator freely select a card -- no forces required. They can sign the card. You have them place the card into the middle of a deck -- in the box! -- and seconds later, you have that same card appear... well pretty much anywhere you want! In your pocket, in a shoe, you name it. (I even have an idea for getting it into their pocket, but I need to work a bit more on that.)
It's very clean, and while some sleight is required, it's extremely minimal. I'm a medium-skilled beginner -- with small hands -- and I don't expect to have any problems with anything.
The device comes with a DVD explaining several possible effects. The explanation is very detailed -- almost too much so. And while the described effects are great, the possibilities for inventing effects yourself are mind-boggling.
Most of the effects described rely on you wearing a jacket. But a hoodie could do as well, though you might have to make some slight adjustments -- you just have to play with it and see what works for you.
The only drawback here is the price. I paid a cool $100 for mine. However, when you take into account that each device is hand-crafted by Rob Bromley, as well as the possible applications here, that price seems fair. I was going to wait to pick this up, but I was hearing that they were selling out from several sites, so I hurried out and got mine.
The real strenght here, as Peter says on the DVD, is that everything is so well disguised. You easily convince even an experienced audience that there is no gimmick or move... when there is both!
You can see some YouTube clips here, here, and here.
The device is well made, and will last years with minimal care. Don't sit on it, and you should be fine.
This is one of the best things I have seen for quite a while. I give this a 9.5/10 -- only because I never give out 10s.
Would love to hear what other people think of this.
