In case you’ve missed it (and I’ll post a video at the end of the review), Tru is a multiple phase rubber band penetration routine. First the rubber band appears to penetrate your finger. Then it does the same thing – but this time with a second rubber band securing the ends of your fingers making it even more impossible. Then it jumps back again. Then again – but with your hand the other way up. In the final phase it actually jumps from your finger to the spectator’s – even though your hands are secured together with another band.

Although the phases flow nicely together, in principle any of them could function as a stand-alone effect – which is great for practise purposes and even for increasing performance confidence. But there is a natural ‘build’ in the phases so they work together very well.

What’s in the (tiny) box?

You receive some Joe Rindfleisch ‘professional performance rubber bands’ – which certainly handle very nicely – though in principle you could use any rubber bands. You also get a link to the online instructions. At certain times I had some problems streaming these – but that may be down to my connection – since on other occasions they were fine.

The teaching consists of 1 hour and 12 minutes of instructions and is of excellent quality. Footage is well shot – from the performer’s perspective (which is very helpful for learning these kinds of moves). Explanations are very clear with multiple walk-throughs to aid learning. The last rubber band routine I learnt was the classic (and still wonderful) crazy man’s handcuffs – way back in the day – but I had no difficulty following the moves.

The explanations are peppered with detailed tips which indicate they are born out of years of performing the effect – this is without doubt a ‘worker.’
There are thoughts on performing with other things – the thick rubber bands so loved by the Royal Mail here in the UK or with borrowed hair bands. And wonderfully several of the phases can be done with a spectator’s headphones/ear buds instead!

An extra 15 minute bonus video promises to teach variations. It shows the routine as he originally performed it (with slightly different phases) and also another way of presenting it with the band partially under the table. For me this ‘bonus’ added little – I much prefer the routine as taught in the main section.

A Tru winner?

There is so much to like about this. It is incredibly visual and a very clear and direct effect. You will need to practise to get this down – but it is well within the sights of anyone prepared to take a little bit of time over it.

It has made me wonder why I don’t perform more elastic band magic. There is something incredibly innocent about using a rubber band and you get great reactions since there is so clearly nothing to be ‘gimmicked.’

If I had a tiny criticism it would be that I am almost certain that he is building on the shoulders of the work of others – and I didn’t notice any crediting at all. I am not familiar with the enormous body of rubber band magic which has been released in the last few years – but I would be very surprised if this was 100% original and unique. In fact, from memory, it feels a bit like a distant relative of an impromptu magic effect which appeared in lots of magic books for beginners. But don’t let that fact put you off – Menny has so refined and improved the method that it is much more visual and effective.

So Tru gets 2 big thumbs up from us. Or it would do if our thumbs weren’t currently wrapped in rubber bands while we practise…

Tru is available from MagicShop.co.uk for £22.99 (at the time of writing).

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

Menny Lindenfeld – Tru – review

4.4 / 5 Reviewer

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The post Menny Lindenfeld – Tru – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

First up is Ox Bender. We haven’t yet been able to get our hands (well, I suppose technically hand!) on this – but Ox Bender sounds to deal with one of those central issues with a coin bending routine – that historically have pretty much all needed two hands to do the ‘magic’.

As we’ve written elsewhere there is little more powerful in close up magic than making a spectator’s coin bend in their hand – and it also leaves you with an amazing souvenir of the magic. Well worth a look when it ships in a few days. £97.72

We haven’t focused on many new decks for a while, so allow us to indulge our love of a new deck of cards with several recent releases.

The Makers Playing Cards by Dan and Dave are exactly the kind of deck I love. They ooze luxury and I love the custom court cards and bold pips, gorgeous detail on the back design and impressive tuck case. £14.99

I think the Lost Wax Playing Cards are appealing at the moment mainly because I’m so cold! As I write the fan heater is trying desperately to keep my body temperature above zero but the Lost Wax cards bring associations of Africa and warmth in their beautiful orange and gold colour scheme. Ideal for collectors and art enthusiasts alike. £14.99

The Magic Notebook Deck is ideal for magic nuts like me and collectors alike (since each colour is a limited run of only 1200). It is a very minimalist solid colour back design and the tuck case contains a quote from Dai Vernon – in whose honour the cards have been produced. The bold-coloured solid Ace of Spades brings interest. £7.99

We love mentalism here at bicycle-cards.co.uk so we’re always on the look out for new utility devices which can be incorporated into our performances.The Jar is just such a device – but doesn’t just have applications in mentalism – it would make a fantastic card to impossible location effect – and just looks so innocent. Lots of possibilities here I think. £48.99 (PS this link is for the US version – though I suspect that is only related to a ‘special’ coin included – which could easily be replaced with a UK coin if you wanted it for that particular application – we’ll update the link as and when a UK version is here).

And finally, here’s a book which will make you think. We love good magic books – and over Christmas increased our own personal collection by three weighty tomes. In Grips Lines and Looks Marc Oberon has written a book which will help you think about the way you perform your magic and how you can make it more powerful. Who wouldn’t want to do that. It also includes a DVD. £40.99

We hope this gets you off to a good start to 2017. Do keep checking in to read all the latest magic reviews. Happy New Year!

The post Trick of the Month – January 2017 – New Year new magic appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Here is a cracking deal if you want to get hold of three hot new tricks at a bargain price. Our friends at the Merchant of Magic are offering the very cute Tiny Plunger, the eerie Metalism and the clever thinking of Michael Eaton in Drop’n. Get them all for £69.99 saving yourself £20!

These NOC Cards have been attracting a lot of attention with their bold design and bright colours. And they are available at MagicNevin for only £4.99

We haven’t seen this one in person so can’t vouch for it but The Bammo Card Walloper 2.0 sounds highly visual and best of all easy to do. It’s a sort of triumph for beginners as a deck of cards mixed up face up and face down is instantly sorted into new deck order. £17.99.
Have a great month…

The post Trick of the Month – June 2013 appeared first on Bicycle Cards.