MAGIC REVIEW: "Ninja Plus" by Matthew Garrett

[obrienmagic]

Are you tired of people asking if they can examine the rings during your "Ninja Rings" performance? Well do I have a solution for you! This is perhaps one of the cleanest and most organic linking ring routines I have ever seen! I am speaking of course about "Ninja+" by Matthew Garrett! Join Michael O'Brien as he talks about one of his favorite pieces of magic and gives us a little insight on the best ring routine on the market today!

 

[Timewise64]

Are you tired of people asking if they can examine the rings during your "Ninja Rings" performance? Well do I have a solution for you! This is perhaps one of the cleanest and most organic linking ring routines I have ever seen! I am speaking of course about "Ninja+" by Matthew Garrett! Join Michael O'Brien as he talks about one of his favorite pieces of magic and gives us a little insight on the best ring routine on the market today!

Wow, no doubt these are 'top of the line' but at $450 you have to be a good earning magician to afford them....

 

[DavidL11229]

Wow, no doubt these are 'top of the line' but at $450 you have to be a good earning magician to afford them....

I just got both sets of rings with all the DVDs for under $200. The bundle pricing structure can be a bit confusing and it is still pricey, but if it's too much you can get just his Matthew Garrett linking rings (though I do wish these came with a 5th ring). It's the Ninja+ (finger ring effect) that is the more expensive part, though still worth it to me.

 

[Timewise64]

I just got both sets of rings with all the DVDs for under $200. The bundle pricing structure can be a bit confusing and it is still pricey, but if it's too much you can get just his Matthew Garrett linking rings (though I do wish these came with a 5th ring). It's the Ninja+ (finger ring effect) that is the more expensive part, though still worth it to me.

Please tell me where you got this all for $200? If it is what I am looking for, I may pay that price...PM if necessary...

 

[RealityOne]

https://www.professionalmagic.com/products (150 pounds or $187)

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S19547 ($116)
and
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S19545 ($71)
and
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S19540 ($25)

 

[DavidL11229]

I did indeed get them as above from Penguin. I guess I did not get "all the DVDs" as I claimed as I did not order the last one David listed (extreme Ninja+ @$25). I got:

The set of 4 Close Up Linking Rings w/DVD for $71
and
Ninja+ Deluxe (finger ring effect w/2 linking rings) w/DVDs volumes 1-3 (on 2 discs) for $116

Dave

 

[RealityOne]

I had a chance to watch a couple of the videos on the "plus" part which is the finger ring. I'll be honest, for me, I don't see a significant advanage to the "plus." The standard Ninja rings, four ring set are just awesome. I learned the routine from Shoot Ogawa (although I still can't do the spin link) and then modified it using principles that I learned for the full size linking rings.

My question is about the quality of the black linking rings set -- how good are they? I've heard the black Messado rings chip because they are painted. Any thoughts? I have Shoot's silver rings and am kicking myself that I didn't spend the extra $20 to get a set of the gold one. Nonetheless, the black rings look really cool.

 

[DavidL11229]

I bought these VERY recently. I did get the black ones and will report back on their durability after I have banged on them for a while.

The Plus was simply attractive to me to suit my own routining. I do a ring on rubber band which I thought would lead into the Plus and then the straight rings etc. I bought the Messado DVD too, but not the Messado rings.

I do not perform paid gigs, but many years ago I worked in a magic shop for several years and I miss using linking rings. They are just fun to play with and for me the 'strive for perfection' that drives much of my desire to practice magic well applies to them. My cat doesn't like clinking, but he can go sleep in the other room while I practice. I mostly use him to work on my misdirection.

Dave

 

[RealityOne]

I bought these VERY recently. I did get the black ones and will report back on their durability after I have banged on them for a while.

The Plus was simply attractive to me to suit my own routining. I do a ring on rubber band which I thought would lead into the Plus and then the straight rings etc. I bought the Messado DVD too, but not the Messado rings.

I do not perform paid gigs, but many years ago I worked in a magic shop for several years and I miss using linking rings. They are just fun to play with and for me the 'strive for perfection' that drives much of my desire to practice magic well applies to them. My cat doesn't like clinking, but he can go sleep in the other room while I practice. I mostly use him to work on my misdirection.

Dave

I do see the possibilities with the Plus. I guess I'm too set in my routine. I also agree with what you are saying about options in routining. My 12 inch set has a L***ing K** in addition to the standard. Although I can easily convince the audience they have seen and examined both rings using the standard, having it done simultaniously is very powerful. It also makes a better multiple ring display. The more options you have and props you introduce to a routine, the more opportunity you have for creativity.

There is a great chapter in Roberto Giobbi's confidences on what he has learned about misdirection from his cat. In contrast, my dog has is pretty good at finding the spectator's selected card, but we're working on having her return it to the spectator rather than eat it.

 

[Timewise64]

So after reading all of this I surmise that these rings are 'standard traditional rings' as far as the gimmick? No key or other device? But they have a routine with added props that help sell the trick....provided you practice and learn the routine well!

I am trying to be careful here, I think most who know about using linking rings will understand my question...

 

[obrienmagic]

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out the review! I'm going to try to answer all of the above questions as best I can!

-What is the true price point? Matthew Garrett's official site has them listed at 150 pounds (i believe just under $200 USD) If you try to buy them anywhere else, you are looking at possible mark-ups by the distributor.

-What comes in the set/did I miss anything? The honest truth is that Matthew is constantly adding new material to the bundle, so you may have ordered a set that did not contain a particular DVD that has since been updated. Also, you are not guaranteed to get the extra material unless you purchase from Matthew himself. I.E. if you purchase from penguin, they may not have updated their product.

-Are the black rings any good? My honest opinion is that they are invisible during performance, but it is all a matter of preference. They will begin to chip away after awhile depending on how much you use them. I would suggest sticking to silver or gold.

-Is it the standard set of rings with an upgrade to sell the trick? In a way yes. The standard set is your basic 4 ring "Ninja Ring" set. The "Plus" portion is the ability to link on a wedding band and then immediately hand it out to be examined. Otherwise you could technically perform this with any set of rings (minus the ability to have the rings examined.)

-I think basic Ninja Rings works just fine. Yes I agree that this is something that may not suit everyone, HOWEVER it is a great addition to your own effect OR can be its own piece depending on what you are already performing. If you perform ninja rings correctly, they should feel like everything has been examined anyway.

HERE IS A QUICK IDEA OF MY ROUTINE WITH BOTH N+ AND NINJA RINGS

Thank you for such great conversation! If I missed your question, or still have not answered it, please let me know!

 

[DavidL11229]

So after reading all of this I surmise that these rings are 'standard traditional rings' as far as the gimmick? No key or other device?

If you are referring to the finger ring, yes.

What you get in the Plus is actually IDENTICAL to what you get in the standard linking ring set except for the size and shape of the rings (i.e. linking vs finger ring size and shape). But otherwise ring for ring there is a direct correspondence. Hope this helps.

There is a great chapter in Roberto Giobbi's confidences on what he has learned about misdirection from his cat. In contrast, my dog has is pretty good at finding the spectator's selected card, but we're working on having her return it to the spectator rather than eat it.

Okay, just ordered this book. His deck switching book can wait until after the cat lesson... And good luck with the dog!

They will begin to chip away after awhile depending on how much you use them.

I requested info via his website on obtaining extra 4.5" rings, but received no response and so ordered the basic sets from Penguin. If anyone has had success in the area let me know. Hopefully these will last for my nonprofessional uses, but I would like extra rings for other reasons too.

 

[RealityOne]

Okay, just ordered this book. His deck switching book can wait until after the cat lesson... And good luck with the dog!

The first routine ("Deck of Missed Opportunities") in the book is beautiful. The section on the cat ("Rossini's Insight") really does make you think about the effect of motion and attention on your sleights. The breakdown of card controls is thought provoking (and, I think applicable to card forces). I love his cups and balls routine and the "Tally Ho" and "Guaranteed" routines are fun. Reading the book feels like sitting down with Roberto and having a conversation over a good meal.

 

[Timewise64]

If you are referring to the finger ring, yes.

What you get in the Plus is actually IDENTICAL to what you get in the standard linking ring set except for the size and shape of the rings (i.e. linking vs finger ring size and shape). But otherwise ring for ring there is a direct correspondence. Hope this helps.



Okay, just ordered this book. His deck switching book can wait until after the cat lesson... And good luck with the dog!


I requested info via his website on obtaining extra 4.5" rings, but received no response and so ordered the basic sets from Penguin. If anyone has had success in the area let me know. Hopefully these will last for my nonprofessional uses, but I would like extra rings for other reasons too.

Thanks David, but I was referring to the linking rings, as you some are gimmicked with 'key' or other. Traditional rings have know form of key, it is all slight of hand when handling....I cannot be more specific without giving it away! Are these rings traditional or do they have some form of key...?

 

[DavidL11229]

Thanks David, but I was referring to the linking rings, as you some are gimmicked with 'key' or other. Traditional rings have know form of key, it is all slight of hand when handling....I cannot be more specific without giving it away! Are these rings traditional or do they have some form of key...?

Linking rings are traditional.