Product description : Brandon David and Chris Turchi are 2 very good creators, they created Envylope which was exceptional in my opinion. This is their newest device, it’s a combination of a gimmicked deck and a gimmicked box which will allow to do multiple things : retrieve signed card from within the deck which is inside the card case, easily force multiple cards without any break, strip out any 4 of a kind, shot out the deck the selected card with a single flick and many more things. It’s more a tool than a trick in itself but is it worth your money ? Let’s find out together !
Price and where to buy it : This is sold at $34.95 and you can find it in nearly every Murphy's magic « partner » shop !
What you get : You get a rectangular cardboard box, really nicely made, the packaging is quite nice, you have the name of the trick written in metallic ink, very classy. Inside, you get the link to watch the explanation video, it’s really well done and shot in the Murphy’s studio. They did a great job explaining how the special deck and box work, along with some routines in order to get started with it. You get the box with the deck inside, I’ve already seen similar gaffed boxes like that but this kind of deck is the first time for me. It’s not a stripper deck, it’s completely gaffed which means you won’t be able to use it for anything else. Overall, if you don’t mind carrying a full gaffed deck just for one routine, then you won’t be disappointed with Project Swiss Army.
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 :
[if !supportLists]· [endif]As I said, this deck is 100% gaffed and I can’t see any routine that could be done with it, except the one which are taught. But forget using this deck for your classical ambitious card, it would be too much trouble.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]Be careful with the angles, the way you are holding the deck can flash the gimmick if not done correctly.
THE PROS :
[if !supportLists]· [endif]The demo and description of the product is accurate, nothing is misleading, which is a great point nowadays.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]You can really show the box from all sides before putting it in your pocket and putting out the signed card. You can even let someone handle it without any problem I think.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]The illusion is very convincing, the fact you’re holding a “real” deck is very good.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]The spectator can really put back his card anywhere in the deck and you would still be able to pull it out from the box.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]There are many things you can do with the deck, and many things with the box too, they didn’t talk about it too much in the video but I’m sure your imagination will develop new applications with it.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]When you receive it, you’ll maybe be disappointed by the gimmick but please don’t let this put you off ! There are very cool things you can do with it.
[if !supportLists]· [endif]You can easily switch your regular deck for the PSA deck when you want to do the routine, a bit like The Extractor.
Overall rating : I thought I would be disliking this but after playing with it, I can see the value of it. If you don’t mind carrying an extra deck, this one is very good, 3/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, it depends on the routine you want to do but it’s quite easy to get the knack for the gimmick, I would say 2/5 stars.
Similar products : The Extractor and The Extractor 2.0 are 2 very solid releases which allow to do the same routine “place the card in the pack in the box and pull it out easily”, I recommend you checking it out !