On Edge by Michael Paul

[Cliff|Bumgardner]

On Edge​

By​

Michael Paul​

Effect: A card is freely selected, signed, and returned to the deck. Both the top and bottom of the deck are seen to show that the card has not been controlled. The deck is then fully wrapped in a sheet of newspaper to be made "sleight of hand" proof. A knife is then brought out and stabbed into the deck through the newspaper. It can clearly be seen that there are no cards outside of the paper and that the deck is really and completely sealed. As the paper is removed it is seen that one card is impaled on the knife, the rest fall to the table. That card is, of course, the signed selection. Completely impromptu.

Available At: www.thementalplayground.com

Price: $6.95 (direct download)

Thoughts: Card Stab is the first release in the Artist2Artist Sessions by Mental Playground Productions. These sessions will be direct download videos and effects similar to 1on1's or OnDemand videos. However, I was very impressed with the fact that this is not just a throw away card trick like some of the downloads are nowadays, its actually an effect I can see some company making into its own DVD, so I am quite impressed with the quality for a low price.

The download quality is quite good, perhaps not "T11 Quality", but everything is very clear and does not offer any issues for learning.

Now, the effect itself. When I saw the method I actually laughed out loud at the simplicity of it. Its extremely direct and dirt, dirt simple. No palms, no steals, really only 1 sleight in the whole routine. Though the method might be brilliant, I think the presentation taught on the download leaves some things to be desired. The way Michael does the effect leaves some discrepancies between the way the deck is stabbed and how the card ends up stabbed on the knife. However, with the brilliance of the method I think you could easily take the routine and cover the discrepancies with some simple changes.

All in all, quite a cool little fun impromptu effect. Its a very "David Blaine, Street" style effect that is great to have in your repertoire.

Recommended.


C

 

[BRodgers]

This is now available. See it here: http://www.thementalplayground.com/onedge.html

 

[Michael Paul]

Thanks for the great review!

 

[Cliff|Bumgardner]

Thanks for the great review!

My pleasure, bro.

C

 

[blahblah]

an effect like this is in the amateur magicians handbook, but with two selected cards instead of one http://www.lybrary.com/amateur-magicians-handbook-p-565.html

 

[Michael Paul]

this is in the amatuer magicians handbook... http://www.lybrary.com/amateur-magicians-handbook-p-565.html

Yup, you can find it lots of places... the point of the artist to artist series is NOT to be the first to market with cutting edge (pun un-intentional) magic, but rather to teach basic, solid, fundimentals to visual learners. The basic idea can be found in lots of books... some of which you may not have, have time to read, or the patience to look through.

You'll also find other items of interest on the video, such as the card placement and control, which are not taught in the amatuer magician's handbok.

In other words, this is video private lesson... not a "new" trick. In fact, in the trailer (assuming you watched it) I refer to the piece as the "classic card stab".

Mike