Price$41.50
Media TypeTrick, DVD
CategoryClose Up, Mentalism
Date AddedFeb 25, 2014
Smudged
Horn, John
Alakazam UK
(Based on 2 reviews)
Imagine being able Smudge the Sharpie logo to form the name of a selected playing card and now imagine being able to repeat this amazing & magical feat!
Your Smudged pack comes with two specially printed real Sharpie markers and a full instructional DVD.
John Horn's Smudged is an effect you will always carry with you always and remember because Smudged is made from a real Sharpie the Smudged gimmick can be in play way before the routine actually starts.
Full Instructional DVD Included
Easy To Perform
Visual Changes
TWO Custom Printed Smudged Revelation Sharpies
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
One DVD, 2 specially printed Sharpie markers, $42 bucks and one Smudged Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.Effect
There are multiple Sharpie revelation (i.e., the Sharpie logo "changes" to the "selected" card) type effects on the market. This one differs in that rather than the revelation looking so similar to the Sharpie logo that you have to stop and re-read it, the contrast is clear. It's also got a visual element to it that makes it seem like the spectator is seeing the logo morph.Method
If you watched the trailer and you've been in magic more than 3 minutes, you probably worked it all out, so I don't feel too bad saying what's going on. It's a p-diddy move and a couple of pen switches. What you're paying for is the handling technique and the two specially printed pens. It's super simple to do, and if you already use a Sharpie, you can replace it with this one. Keep in mind that the first revelation that happens is done right after the spectator used the pen to sign her card. There is no pen switch here. You can, but you don't need to.I point this out so that you realize that you really only need one of the pens, so if you already use a Sharpie, you can use this instead of your normal Sharpie and you'll sacrifice no pocket space at all. If you want to have two different revelations, you'll need to carry both pens, and if you want to have the pen examined before the trick — a foolish thing to do in my opinion — then you'll need to carry three pens.
All skill levels may apply, and you truly can add this to your repertoire right out of the box and without adding anything extra to your pockets (assuming you already carry a Sharpie).
Product Quality
The pens, themselves, are excellent quality. They're genuine Sharpie markers. The DVD production and training is solid as well. The only negative I have to say about the training is the "section" where Dave Loosley "teaches" you how to put a new ink cartridge into the supplied pens once they run out of ink. He really should have shown us how to do that rather than just talk through it. Other than that, no issues.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy integrity is so accurate, that if you watch the trailer, you'll see everything. They make no outrageous or misleading claims. Solid.Final Thoughts
If you like this effect and can see yourself using it, you'll be very happy with this product. It's an easy way to add a new card revelation or two to your repertoire. $42 is a little steep possibly, but not entirely unreasonable for this, but ultimately that's up to you.Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
(Top ▲)
I’ve done the classic “Sharpie Revelation” in my professional work for the last few years. This new version will be replacing it. I like the idea of a ‘smudged’ logo changing into the selected card. It’s a more visible moment of magic, and feels more real to me.
Those of you who like the more ‘subtle’ change of previously released effects, then stick to that, there’s not much for you here. If you are looking for a new clever gimmick that’s revolutionary, there’s nothing here for you. This is a subtle update of a modern classic. If you are a worker, who is carrying around a sharpie already for Ambitious Card or Card in Wallet, this is GOLD. This takes up no extra pocket space, unless you want to carry the second sharpie for the double change, and even then, you’re only carrying around one extra sharpie.
The routines provided on the DVD are good, and are good places for new workers to get started. If you are a seasoned professional, then you’ll already have some sort of signed card routine you are comfortable with, and you’ll be able to add this in as a finale or wherever you want. I added this into my usual Ambitious Card routine.
The price might sound a little high for two sharpies and a DVD, but the best part is you can refill these sharpies, so when they run out of ink, you don’t have to buy new gimmicked pens.
The effect is now more visual, and plays great for most close up situations. I now use this in my professional work, and the reactions have been more than satisfying! That’s the highest praise I can give it.
Five Stars
Those of you who like the more ‘subtle’ change of previously released effects, then stick to that, there’s not much for you here. If you are looking for a new clever gimmick that’s revolutionary, there’s nothing here for you. This is a subtle update of a modern classic. If you are a worker, who is carrying around a sharpie already for Ambitious Card or Card in Wallet, this is GOLD. This takes up no extra pocket space, unless you want to carry the second sharpie for the double change, and even then, you’re only carrying around one extra sharpie.
The routines provided on the DVD are good, and are good places for new workers to get started. If you are a seasoned professional, then you’ll already have some sort of signed card routine you are comfortable with, and you’ll be able to add this in as a finale or wherever you want. I added this into my usual Ambitious Card routine.
The price might sound a little high for two sharpies and a DVD, but the best part is you can refill these sharpies, so when they run out of ink, you don’t have to buy new gimmicked pens.
The effect is now more visual, and plays great for most close up situations. I now use this in my professional work, and the reactions have been more than satisfying! That’s the highest praise I can give it.
Five Stars