Product description : everyone in magic has seen at least one time a pen through bill effect. Whether or not it was gimmicked, using a regular bill, a regular pen.. This is a new version of this type of effect, much more organic I think, with all the visual of the original one. You show a key, you let people take a look at it, you ask for a bill (or a note if you're in the UK), and you proceed to put the key through it, very visually. You slide the key across the bill, they ear a rip sound, but when you show the bill, it's completely intact. Everything can be examined again. Is it good ? Is it worth the price ? Is it better than the pen one ?
Price and where to buy it : This is sold at $35 and you can find it in nearly every Murphy's magic « partner » shop !
What you get : You get a small plastic box with inside everything needed in order to perform the effect (except the bill). You get a link to watch a video online, it is well explained, you learn all the moves, they're very easy to do. You laos get the key as well as the gimmick, they're both perfectly made and work like a dream ! You can tell a lot of work have been put into this trick, into the stuff which is provided. The key looks like a mailbox one, it will fly by your spectator. Overall, the material is perfect and very very good, I love the routine taught on the video, everything is perfect !
The pros and the cons : Here is the core of my review, let's begin with the cons, as I will usually be doing, I prefer to keep the good things for the end.
THE CONS :
It's kind of pricy, when you take a look at the price of a regular pen through bill, it's actually not expensive.
I had hard time carrying the gimmick along with the key, I'm too afraid of loosing it. Even if it's strong enough to be kept with the key.
THE PROS :
It's very visual, whether it's the penetration or the action of taking the key out of the bill, both phase look stunning.
I do think it's a natural and a logical evolution to this classic plot, a key is more organic and something it's normal to carry around with you.
It is quite easy to do, you just have to get the knack to set it up and then, you're good to go !
I do think that it's more visual than with the pen, maybe because all the stem of the key is going through the bill.
The way the gimmick is made is very ingenious, you can perform it 360, without having to worry about anything.
The key and the bill can be examined before and RIGHT after the trick, which is a very good point
It's an instant reset, you can borrow any bill or a business card if you want to.
Overall rating : I love this, it's somethung I carry with me at all time, I've never been disappointed by a Chris Smith product, 4/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, it's very easy, you will get it very quickly, 2/5 stars.
Similar products : Pen through anything, the best version of this classic plot. The key by Andrew Mayne seems to be a variation, but not the best quality from the reviews I've heard.