Price$60.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryGeneral, Close Up
Date AddedSep 15, 2015
Sharpie BUG Writer
Vernet Magic
(Based on 2 reviews)
Now you can secretly write anything with Sharpie ink! You have the ideal combination: the perfect writer and the best holder!
The Sharpie BUG Writer has the perfect grip and great stability due to its anatomical design and ultra stick surface. The Sharpie BUG Holder has the property of keeping the Sharpie BUG Writer always charged with ink.
It also allows you to have the writer always handy, ready to use and safely stored. If that's not enough the set includes an extra bottle of ink that will last forever!!!
It writes exactly like the Sharpie MarkerUltra safeComfortableAlways readyReal inkPerfect gripWrite as many as 20 number each timeIt recharges in 5 seconds
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Dry County by Bon Jovi
Sharpie Bug Writer Review
One page of instructions, one gimmick, one bottle of ink, $60 bucks and one Sharpie Bug Writer Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Sharpie Bug Writer Review: Effect
This is less effect and more method. It's a method for being able to secretly write something in front of your spectators. Straight out of the instructions, here's a list of resources for effects where this tool would come in handy:
- 13 Steps to Mentalism (Step 1) - Corinda
- 25 Years Wiser - Billy McComb
- A Boon for all Seasons - Eric Mason & Barry Richardson
- Al Koran's Professional Presentations - Hugh Miller
- Annemann's Practical Mental Effects - Ted Annemann
- Tarbell Course in Magic Vol. 4 & Vol. 6 - Harlan Tarbell
Those resources aside, here is the simplest most basic scenario of how an effect might go. You start by openly writing (apparently) a prediction on a business card with a Sharpie marker. Then you clearly put the Sharpie away. Next you have the spectator name any 3 digit number (for example). You then turn the business card around to show that you had predicted that very three digit number.
Sharpie Bug Writer Review: Method
My guess is that if you're interested in this product, you already know what it is. Let's talk from that perspective for a moment. If you already know, then you're asking what's different about this one. Here are a few bullet points to get the idea across:
- It's permanent marker rather than lead or grease
- You get at least a hundred uses before you have recharge
- It comes with a carrying case that keeps everything together, yet easily accessible
- Don't worry, the ink won't get all over you pocket, etc.
For the rest of y'all, let's assume you don't know what it is. Well . . . I kind of told you in the effect section. It's a special simple little gimmick that lets you secretly write something right in front of your spectators. If you read the basic effect described in the effect section, the method for that was accomplished by not actually writing anything with the Sharpie. Then secretly writing the answer with the Sharpie Bug Writer gimmick after they announce the number they're thinking of.
Does this method work? Yes. This type of gimmick is very old and has more than proven its worth via the test of time method. So the question is, does this one work? Yes. The system is clever, simple and works perfectly. It's very simple and easy method of loading and unloading the gimmick secretly right in front of the spectators.
You need to go to your pocket for a second to load the gimmick. This can be done while you're putting the pen away or for any other reason you can contrive. The system works perfectly, is simple and compact and will last a very long time (more on this in the product quality section).
Legit? Yep. Doable? Yep. Practical? Yep.
Sharpie Bug Writer Review: Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is 100% accurate. It tells you exactly what you're getting, and you get exactly that. No outrageous claims were made. Solid.
Sharpie Bug Writer Review: Product Quality
The gimmick itself works perfectly. It's well made and very clever. It's a hard plastic rectangle box that is roughly the size of an Okito Coin Box (ish). It holds the Sharpie Bug Writer and keeps the sticky tape from getting dirty — the tape is how you secretly adhere it. It also keeps the ink tip charged in an ink sponge, yet contains everything in such a way that ink will not spill anywhere or get all over the place. Further, the lid is a super simple wing style lid (think Lamborghini Doors).
While in your pocket, you slide open the door, adhere the gimmick and you're all set in two seconds. While the gimmick is in place, you can use it about 20 times before putting it back in the box to recharge the ink.
Additionally, you're supplied an extra double stick adhesive pad for when the existing one wears out. You're also supplied a bottle of ink. Between those two things, this should last you forever. Everything is super well made.
The instructions teach you what you need to know to set up the gimmick, but that's all. They pretty much assume that you already know what to do with it. They do recommend a bunch of resources (listed above in the Effect section). Just know that you're buying a utility device, not a routine or a presentation.
Sharpie Bug Writer Review: Final Thoughts
If you are a mentalist and you use this type of tool or are considering using this type of tool, then you'll be very happy with this. It's a little on the pricey side at $60, but if you have a use for it, I think you'll feel it's worth it, especially if you've been looking for a solution for doing this with permanent marker.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Murphy's Magic for details.
(Top ▲)
PROS
This is possibly the best bug writer ever! I love the design. It comes in a very sturdy plastic case that also re-inks the writer. The device can be operated with a single hand. The device uses magnets to secure it to the holder. It works just beautifully!
The beauty of this product is how well it sells an effect. From an audience perspective, they can think of something, you write a prediction with a sharpie pen, hand the pen to the participant or put it in your pocket, and hand them the prediction. It solves some of the potential issues with lead based writers in that sometimes what is written by the writer doesn’t exactly look like something that is written by a pencil. Another problem is sometimes we (magicians) use unusual pencils just to try to match our writer. With this, the writing of the bug writer matches a sharpie exactly because it is a sharpie point and marker ink. Also, the sharpie writing doesn't look "scratchy" or "ghostlike" as lead based writers sometimes do.
It comes with everything you need to perform, including a small bottle of ink to refill the ink cartridge built into the holder.
It comes with a one page front and back paper instruction sheet. One side is English and other side is Spanish. The instructions cover the use and maintenance of the bug writer.
Given this is a utility device and not a routine or effect, the difficulty level of any routine or effect is going to depend upon the routine or effect you are doing. However, this bug writer is very easy to use. With one hand, you easily load the device. It is also very easy to unload the device into the holder. The holder is designed with a cover than can be opened and closed with one hand, the same hand that loads the writer.
CONS
This isn’t a criticism, but you should know that the instructions do not cover any routines or effects. The instructions focus on the usage and maintenance of the bug writer only. The instructions did detail a list of recommended sources for instruction on routines and effects.
The instruction doesn’t go into detail on how to unload the device. I found that because the device involves a sticky surface, there is a method to unload it into the box with one hand. This method was not described in the instructions. What I found works very well is to place the device in the box, slide the lid until it partially covers the device and to use the lid to lever the device off the finger. The lid can then be completely closed.
One minor ad copy discrepancy: The ad says it comes with an extra bottle of ink that will last forever. Don’t take this literally. It won’t last forever. It will likely last a very long time.
VERDICT
This is possibly the best bug writer ever! Really great! I just love it. You will need to have your own effects and routines, but the device is superb!
This is possibly the best bug writer ever! I love the design. It comes in a very sturdy plastic case that also re-inks the writer. The device can be operated with a single hand. The device uses magnets to secure it to the holder. It works just beautifully!
The beauty of this product is how well it sells an effect. From an audience perspective, they can think of something, you write a prediction with a sharpie pen, hand the pen to the participant or put it in your pocket, and hand them the prediction. It solves some of the potential issues with lead based writers in that sometimes what is written by the writer doesn’t exactly look like something that is written by a pencil. Another problem is sometimes we (magicians) use unusual pencils just to try to match our writer. With this, the writing of the bug writer matches a sharpie exactly because it is a sharpie point and marker ink. Also, the sharpie writing doesn't look "scratchy" or "ghostlike" as lead based writers sometimes do.
It comes with everything you need to perform, including a small bottle of ink to refill the ink cartridge built into the holder.
It comes with a one page front and back paper instruction sheet. One side is English and other side is Spanish. The instructions cover the use and maintenance of the bug writer.
Given this is a utility device and not a routine or effect, the difficulty level of any routine or effect is going to depend upon the routine or effect you are doing. However, this bug writer is very easy to use. With one hand, you easily load the device. It is also very easy to unload the device into the holder. The holder is designed with a cover than can be opened and closed with one hand, the same hand that loads the writer.
CONS
This isn’t a criticism, but you should know that the instructions do not cover any routines or effects. The instructions focus on the usage and maintenance of the bug writer only. The instructions did detail a list of recommended sources for instruction on routines and effects.
The instruction doesn’t go into detail on how to unload the device. I found that because the device involves a sticky surface, there is a method to unload it into the box with one hand. This method was not described in the instructions. What I found works very well is to place the device in the box, slide the lid until it partially covers the device and to use the lid to lever the device off the finger. The lid can then be completely closed.
One minor ad copy discrepancy: The ad says it comes with an extra bottle of ink that will last forever. Don’t take this literally. It won’t last forever. It will likely last a very long time.
VERDICT
This is possibly the best bug writer ever! Really great! I just love it. You will need to have your own effects and routines, but the device is superb!