Price$59.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up, Gambling
Date AddedFeb 09, 2023
Magic Matchstick
TCC
TCC Presents
(Based on 2 reviews)
The magician removes a single match from a matchbox and passes it easily through the hole in the center of the matchbox to prove that there is nothing in the matchbox.
So far so good, but what happens next will leave the audience stunned. The magician then opens the matchbox to reveal a solid brass block inside - A complete, solid, impenetrable block of brass that happens to fill the matchbox.
This is the classic matchbox penetration effect. There are also other versions of the effect e.g. knife through playing card box.
The effect is very magical and, at one time, made frequent appearances on TV magic shows.
This year, we will also bring you a brand new version - The Magic MatchStick.
The most amazing part of this magic is not just the effect, but that the gimmick is right in front of their noses.
Upon casual examination, the audience will believe it is a solid block of brass through and through.
Check out a closeup of the brass block.
The devil is in the detail, and every detail of the Magic Matchstick has been thoughtfully crafted.
The key lies in the texture, precision, and meticulous machining of the brass block: the gimmick must be perfectly seamed, the surface must not have excessive grinding marks, and the edges must be carefully chamfered.
Two matchboxes are included in your set. One is an ordinary matchbox, the other is specially designed to be shown filled with matches at the beginning of your performance. When you use the gimmicked matchbox, you can present the dual effects of transformation and penetration.
Note: There are some simple DIY arts and crafts required. You would need to supply your matchsticks.
The entire set of props required to perform such an incredible feat is only the size of a matchbox, which makes it very suitable for your everyday carry (EDC) setup.
Comes with:
- An ordinary matchbox
- A specially constructed matchbox
- Brass block
- Red matchbox 57mm x 40mm x 20mm
- Blue matchbox 57mm x 40mm x 14mm
- Brass block 54mm x 34mmmm x 12mm
- Brass block weight: 169g±5g
- Complete set box size: 170mm x 95mm x 30mm
- Whole set weight: 269g±5g
- Everyday-carry (EDC) reputation maker
- Matchstick passes through a solid brass block
- Finely crafted, superior craftsmanship
- Simple and easy to do. Ready to use at a moment's notice
- Can be handed over to the audience for casual examination
- Brand new gimmicked matchbox.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The brass block is nicely machined and comfortable to hold. It can be examined, but probably will not withstand intense scrutiny for long. That said, it is a very good prop and it is unlikely that a typical audience will notice anything amiss if you keep the show moving along.
Magic Matchstick comes with 2 matchboxes. One of them is a regular matchbox.
The other matchbox is gimmicked to for a transformation effect. This second box will require some arts and crafts, but they are not at all difficult.
Both matchboxes are on the large side (for matchboxes). This is good since your audience will actually be able to see the matchbox in your hands. It is also challenging, since finding matches that are the right size for these boxes is somewhat challenging in my area. The dimensions required for the matches is addressed in the instructional video. Matches that are too small don't look very good in the box. Diamond brand "penny" matches are too small. It looks like Three Stars matches on Amazon are the same size as the Diamond penny matches, so I've skipped them. Diamond strike-on-box kitchen matches are too long, and the heads of the matches are too thick to pass through the hole in the matchboxes. It looks like the Diamond strike-anywhere kitchen matches are the right length, but I will have to make a special trip to a hardware store that carries them to buy them and find out for sure.
The instructional video is good enough, and shows a couple of ideas on how to present the effect with both boxes. There is not a lot to this trick, so the amount of instruction is appropriate. The bulk of the video is spent demonstrating how to prepare the special matchbox (which is entirely optional). I found the video I downloaded from TCC's website did not have closed captions all the way through, but the video at the url inside the box did.
If you perform this trick regularly, I would suggest keeping an eye out for similarly-sized matchboxes, or learn to make your own matchboxes (it's not hard), in order to replace the ones that come with the trick when they finally wear out.
This is a very good product, and good value for the price. My experiences purchasing directly from TCC have been very good.
(Top ▲)
Overview
In the early 90s, Selecciones Magicas in Spain put out what has become a modern day close-up classic known here in the United States as the Matchbox Penetration. This once popular penetration effect is also know by such names as The Matchbox Mystery, The Brass Block Mystery and The Matchbox Illusion. Other versions of this type of illusion have also been produced resembling blocks of steel and solid wood.Magic Matchstick by TCC Presents is an upscaled version of this amazing effect. What makes TCC's version different is their fanatical adherence to quality, appearance and value.
Effect
The performer takes a matchbox out of his pocket and with much fanfare pushes a matchstick through the box. Unimpressed, the spectators assume the box is completely empty and this is some sort of silly joke, but the joke is on them. The performer then dumps a solid brass block out of the box on to the table. The spectators are stunned, how could the matchstick pass through the box if the solid brass block was in there?Method
The trick requires a specially made brass block and good presentational skills. The block is designed to be able to be set up for the trick and then under seemingly normal hand movements be completely inspectable when placed in their hands or on the table. The trick does not take long, the magic is in the presentation and how to engage with the audience.Product Quality
The Magic Matchstick is incredibly well made. In comparison to similar products like this is that Magic Matchsticks is finely finished, larger in size and instead of just being just a block of brass, the edges are finely beveled to enhance the appearance of the block. The block is also adjustable as well as to how much pressure is needed to bring the block into its final state. You are provided with two match boxes. One box is for the traditional method of which the box is completely empty. The second box is for those that would like to take the presentation to the next level which is to show a box full of matches, remove one and then go into the routine. This will require some DIY on the purchasers part. The downloadable instructions are just about 19 minutes long and cover everything from the basic presentation to the more involved presentation.The bulk of the instructions are devoted to building the second matchbox if you wanted to do that particular routine. This is one that really separates TCC's version from the others. The video is well filmed and lit however it is dubbed in English but that does not detract from the the quality of instruction at all