Executive Wallet
Penn, David
Wizard FX Productions
With the Executive Wallet you can load the spectator's signed card into a wallet within a wallet without palming. The spectator can then remove their own signed card from the smaller wallet which is even secured with a press stud. As the spectator opens the wallet themselves this provides sure fire misdirection for your killer finale. The workings are all explained along with David's full routine on the accompanying DVD. Crafted from the highest quality leather. The card is loaded into the innermost wallet with no palming in one natural action. No envelopes or messy sticky stuff to replace. Resets in 4 seconds. David Penn's routine from his number one set is fully described on the DVD.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
This DVD isn't just the explanation of using the Executive Wallet, David Penn actually explains (and in great detail may I add)one of his working routines, the card under glass. He also covers a very strong peek move which he does in his set. (This isn't just a random set though, it is his set with his executive wallet incorporated) The DVD was of a high quality, an everything was clearly shot, however I do believe that the teachings of the peek move could have been shot a bit more close up, so you could see what he was doing with his hands. It was a little bit awkward to see what was going on from the distance that the camera was at. Craig Petty's Quarantined was also explained on the DVD as an alternate ending to his set, however the gimmicks for that were not included. On the whole, it was a very good DVD, with some great content, and explained in great detail, from what he says when he walks up to the table to how he deals with hecklers.
The wallet is also very well produced, and it has a real feel of quality about it. It is quite a large wallet (10cm x 17cm) and my only problem with it is that there is one seam which I believe should be sewn down, as it sometimes snags on the card when attempting to pull it out of the wallet for the revelation. It does not have much use outside of the magic world for me, and even though the picture of the Executive Wallet shows a credit card sticking out, I don't think it is useful for much else. There are no zipped or secure pockets. There is however a clear window, which I have found very useful, and have used multiple times. (Purely on a mystery card type effect) It does load very cleanly without any palming, and the revelation is very strong, as the card appears inside a sealed mini wallet inside the main wallet. It does also reset quickly, and when you are resetting it doesn't look too strange to an onlooker, so you can easily do it in between tables. They claim it can reset in 4 seconds, but to be honest I don't think you could really do that unless you spend more time practicing resetting than you do the effect.
Overall a very good product, with only some minor issues, however it is very expensive, so I guess ultimately the decision is down to you. I can recommend this product to you, as it is very good quality, and if price isn't a problem then I would say go for it. If price is a problem, the you may want to look elsewhere for cheaper wallets. I'm not saying that wallets are cheap, because they are not, it is just with this one you are paying for a fair bit of material as well.
(Top ▲)
It’s a bit pricey for one hundred bucks. They include David Penn’s full set in which the card to wallet is just one phase. While the audience is obviously impressed with this routine Penn has obviously done thousands of times, it’s very much based on personal style. So I'm not sure that all this other info is really of use to others. Since the price tag is high, it’s likely that mostly working pros will buy it, and likely they already have an ambitious card routine or card under glass routine that they are already happy with.
Maybe the info on Penn’s personal routine might be of use to some people, but it’s not worthy of the price tag. Luckily, the wallet itself is. Its beautiful leather, requires no palming, and will last a long time. It will take a bit more practice than the Mullica Wallet, and there is a four second reset that you can do while walking between tables.
If you don’t have a card to wallet, I personally recommend the Mullica Wallet which is what I use professionally, but this wallet is a close second, and worth your consideration as well, even though it’s extremely pricey.
(Top ▲)
For $100 you get a well produced DVD with a ton of great information and a well made albeit slightly over-priced load wallet.
The advertisement copy is accurate. The load is very easy with no palming. The reset is very simple and quick. The wallet is well made. Probably the best part about this DVD is all of the excruciating detail you get from David Penn. He has some excellent insight into how to use the wallet along with some smooth and clever presentational ideas that make the load completely invisible.
The only question I have is whether or not I'd spend $100 on the wallet and DVD. On the one hand, wallets of this type are usually not cheap, so in that sense, this wallet's competitive. On the other hand, other wallets (e.g., Real Man's Wallet) are only $40 bucks and are arguably better products.
So let me leave you with this. The Executive Wallet is well made. It functions somewhat similiarly to a Mullica, but it can be handled a little more openly than a Mullica. It's a little pricey, but if you like the way it looks, you'll love the way it loads. I have no complaints about the quality of the DVD or the wallet. It's just a question of price. Without the price as a factor, this is easily a 5 star product. When you consider that it does seem a little on the pricey end, it takes a small hit.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.