The trailer looked so clean. The adverts seemed to rule out all the ‘normal’ methods. Could it really live up to the hype?

A Phantom Hope?

And the answer, it seems, is yes and no.

For a start, when I opened the parcel I was extremely surprised by what I saw in the Phantom packaging. The ‘specially engendered utility gimmick’ was certainly not what I was expecting. I do not want to expose too much here, but the gimmick itself is disguised as a Sharpie. This has pros and cons.

I have seen some people talk about this like a James Bond style gimmick – and I see what they mean. Using an everyday object does mean it is ‘hidden in plain sight.’ However, it is at this point that its strength becomes its weakness, since the Sharpie does need to be very close to the action for this to work. And to my mind that looks a little bit odd with some of the handling.

It also, and this is only a minor gripe, makes the advertising video a little misleading – since the advert has been shot from angles which mean the Sharpie cannot be seen at all. I understand why inventors and dealers are always keen to show their products in the best possible light, but this is definitely teetering on the edge of misleading.

The gimmick comes with a link to watch or download video instructions. These are well shot and demonstrate 3 or 4 effects. There are helpful ‘re-cap’ sections after each effect is taught. The effects are a rising card, a haunted deck, an self-unscrewing bottle and a coin vanish.

The rising card is probably the strongest and least unnatural handling but I think there are probably better ways of accomplishing the haunted deck. I really like the concept of the self-unscrewing bottle, but in practise I’m not sure how reliable it is. The coin vanish is relatively clean, but offers almost no advantages over straight sleight of hand, or even other much older gimmicks (e.g. the Raven) – I can’t really see it being much use.

The gimmick is versatile and so perhaps we’re still waiting for the killer application of it. It is well made and should last for a long time with careful handling. I think the strongest feature of all the routines is that they can be done with borrowed props – which is certainly an advantage over many rising card decks I own. However, for handling cleanness I think I’ll be sticking to a more traditional method for the time being.

Available direct from Merchant of Magic for £27.99 (at time of writing).

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

The post Peter Eggink – Phantom – Review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

I’m always a little nervous about recommending products I haven’t actually seen in person, but the trailer for Phantom looks really clean. If this gimmick does half the things it says (rising card, haunted deck – both with borrowed decks – also unscrewing bottle!) then it is amazing. We’ll probably take a look at this since it is so visual. But you can check it out yourself. £30.50 [UPDATE – we have now done a full review]

Here’s another one that looks good – with amazing visuals. I can imagine having fun with Antigravity at home (rather than incorporating it into a formal show) – balancing a glass at impossible angles. £21

And whilst we’re on crazy visuals, check out Impale.  The video on this has to be seen to be believed – but the illusion of the Sharpie sinking through the deck of cards looks too good to be true. And I’m told there is no deck switch involved. We haven’t played with it yet but looks amazing. £36.99

There are loads of new decks out and we’ll feature a few of them in the middle of the month, but to wet your appetite why not check out the White Spirit Deck? This is an attractive deck from Gamblers Warehouse in understated whites and golds and classical styling. I love the look of the court cards. £9.75.

And finally, can we just give another plug for the newly released Awesome Self Working Card Tricks DVD? We used a few of these on holiday and they went down very well. You can read our full review here – well worth £19.99.

That’s it for now. We’ve got loads of new magic reviews coming out in the coming month – so do follow us on twitter (@magicbikecards) or keep up to date on Facebook so you don’t miss a post.

The post Trick of the Month – September 2015 – Phantoms and crazy visuals appeared first on Bicycle Cards.