Product description: Svenpads® have been around for quite a while now and I must say that, while I like the products, I didn’t see myself buying one. Things have changed now that Brett Barry has developed a new routine using a pre-filled Svenpad® with drawings. I really like the idea of buying a routine, a product which has been thought of rather than a blank pad, but to each his own! The pad cleverly uses the Svengali principle but does not only focus on half of the sheets, I love that. You will, MANY times, be able to read in people’s mind with different methods in play so that there is no possible way for them to track back what happened. This pad is 4x6" pocket size, and as with all genuine SvenPads®, it uses a unique glued top seam and fake spiral.
Price and where to buy it: This will sell for $85 and you can find it in on the Svenpads® website + dealers such as Alakazam, Saturn Magic, Stevens, Hocus Pocus, Pegani, Piper Magic and many more.
What you get: You get a specially made spiral pad filled with over 60 different kids drawings, plastic packaging, with inside a cardboard card, with a link on it so you can watch the explanation video and the 33 page PDF. It also comes with a crib card for the 3rd phase, and the cover of the pad also has a hidden crib "reminder" of the 1st letters for the 3rd phase. The inside cover had a printed story/explanation that a portion of each pad purchase goes to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. This gives some meaning to the "why" this pad exists, which performers will use in their presentations. The video is really cool, Brett does teach the routine very well, with subtleties. The pdf is really a nice addition to the video because there is a lot more informations in it, crediting as well as tweaks in order to use the second and third phases in other languages, and it works in French so it’s perfect ! You also get a little black velvet bag if you want to carry your pad without damaging it, but I think it looks too “clean and new” like that for me so I won’t be using the velvet bag. Carrying it in my backpack will give a “patina” and a more authentic look to the pad. Overall, it’s a little bit expensive for what it is but the routine is well thought and you buy a professional product.
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:
As I said, it’s quite expensive for such a simple object but I think you have to take into account that a lot of work has been put into this and that what you buy won’t be in any Youtuber’s hands.
If you’re not using English in your performances, you may have trouble with the second and the third phases.
THE PROS:
I love the innocent look of it, even if it’s written in English on the cover, I can say that I bought it at a US airport during one of my trip, it flies by people.
The methods used, while not new, are very cleverly put together so they cancel each other. There is absolutely no way for people to track back what you did.
I like how each phase is built in the routine, it gets stronger and stronger, you begin with a truth/lie detection, then you’re able to read in their minds !
Phase 1 and 3 can be repeated if you want to, especially phase 1 so you can really adapt the routine to your wish.
It involves multiples spectators, 3 at least, and I love routines which connect with people like this.
They didn’t focus only on the short sheets, but methods are built into short AND long sheets so it gives more freedom and also you can do much more with it.
Since drawings are used, you can reveal them with their letters or by doing a drawing duplication, I really like the fact I’m able to customize the way I reveal their thoughts.
Overall rating: Overall, this is a great release, it looks very realistic, it works flawlessly, I’ll be using it for sure ! My only complain is the price, but I have to give it 4/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, you have a little bit of memory work but it’s minimal, focus on your presentation, 2/5 stars.
Similar products: I think the closest thing to this pad is the Bip Book Test which is also very interesting.