Everlast – also know as the ‘Mind Reading Ring’ is a mentalists’ accessory which enables you to perform a limitless number of effects. It is the latest take on the idea of a Swami or Boon or Thumb Writer and has a number of unique features. Here’s our review…
What do you get?
You get the ring itself which comes in a nice little box. The box also contains a card with a link to online instructions. The instructions run to less than 12 minutes long! But I actually really apprecate that they are ‘short but sweet.’ It really doesn’t require an enormously detailed amount of teaching. And you are most likely to develop (or already have) your own routines to use with the gimmick.
Nevertheless, in that short space it manages to explain the principle, include 3 ‘starter’ effects (live performance plus explanation) and a few extra tips. The first routine is a basic number revelation. Nothing ground-breaking here – but a good place to start if you’ve never used anything similar.
The second routine is a neat idea for a different kind of revelation. The spectator does some scribbling on a pad. And then when they rub it away with an eraser, it leaves behind the information they were thinking of.
The third routine is a simple ghost-writing demonstration (the spectator signs a business card and the name they are thinking of appears on it) – utilising another commercially available item (a haunted handkerchief – something like this).
These are all great starting points. And there’s a vast amount of literature dedicated to effects using this kind of principle. If you’re really serious about it then take a look at The Nail Writer Anthology.
Further thoughts
If you’re used to a swami type gimmick you’ll probably already have lots of routines you can adapt with this. I really like the idea of hiding the writer ‘in plain sight’ on a ring. It feels more flexible than many more traditional solutions. On the other hand, you may have to think about how it fits your style. It looks quite different in style to my wedding band, for example.
Like all these things, there is a bit of a knack to using it properly. But I found I could get adequate writing pretty much immediately, and with practise no doubt it will improve. My review ring had a rough/sharp point inside where the gimmick is attached – and was actually a little painful to write with. I imagine it would be pretty easy to file this down if you had the same issue.
I achieved good results on a number of different kinds of paper/card – even on semi-glossy card. The major selling-point for this is hinted at in the name. The gimmick should last for a very long time without needing to be replaced – unlike many traditional variations. I obviously haven’t been using this long enough to comment – but it certainly looks as if it should last a long time.
It is worth bearing in mind that you’re really going to want to wear this on your thumb – which is probably ‘fatter’ than your normal ring size. MagicShop.co.uk are stocking it in size 10 (UK size U) and size 12 (UK size Y) – which are both quite a bit larger than my wedding band size. But the size 10 was only just big enough to fit in the ‘writing position’ – and to roll further down my thumb for normal wear I would probably need size 12.
So all in all I think Everlast is well worth a look if you are in to performing mental magic. The range of effects with this kind of accessory is (in a much overused phrase) only limited by your imagination. The strength of these kind of effects on an audience is out of all proportion to the difficulty for the performer!
I looked at the Size 10 Everlast which is currently reduced at MagicShop.co.uk to only £14.94 (normal price £22.99).
Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.
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