Fringe

Chris

This is the sort of project I like, a deep dive into what is possible with a single, long known, and easy to make card gaff. This download is over three hours in total, but is conveniently delivered in short chapters, making it very easy to find what you are particularly interested in. There are lessons in the general use and making of the gaff, followed by sandwich ticks, mystery card, cannibal cards, etc, and my personal favourite, an invisible travellers routine. This download is worth way more than the modest asking price. Buy it now, you won't regret it.

Shawn

I am a fairly new magician and was very pleased with this download. I only paid 99 cents, so it was obviously a huge bargain. Lots of detailed instruction and the gaffs were easily made from an ordinary deck. I actually used this at an open mic in Toronto and the audience loved it.

Larry

Fringe is a extensive investigation of uses for a gaff that has been in use for centuries. Simple to make, fun to use, and results are insanely effective.

I have made and used similar gaffs over the years, but this project goes far beyond anything I would have even imagined. This long, information packed set of performance concepts and variations of a gaff I have long been aware of is truly impressive and well worth the time to study. And this is just a starting point.

With a little thought, I solved a problem that had long bothered me a little with every version of the classic Collins Ace Effect...4 piles of 3 indifferent cards and an ace with one set of 4 cards off to the side resulting in 4 piles of indifferent cards and 4 aces off to the side. Using this gaff, you can visibly place a face up ace in each pile of 3 face down indifferent cards and cleanly, with no slights or other moves, make the ace physically vanish from each of the piles, leaving only 3 indifferent cards and have the aces reappear anywhere you desire. For me, that's really magical!

A great investment for anyone interested in expanding their potential for true astonishment.

Barry

What can I say--read all the 5 star reviews for this download priced at 19.95. Those reviews are all spot on. This download teaches how to make a simple gaff that has a multitude of uses including the 9 effects they teach. But from these you will get many ideas of your own for other applications. There is so much useful information in this download that is over 3 hours in length! Compare that with similarly priced downloads that teach a single effect and might be only 15 minutes long. This is a great buy at $20 and I got it on sale at the ridiculously low price of 0.99! Thank you Vanishing Inc for this great download at an incredible price!

Laura Bautista

Wow! What a tutorial!! Almost four hours of intense instructions on how to produce some of the most famous and used gimmicks in card magic and how to apply them to different routines. It is a massive study on transpositions that covers the cases of each of them during 10 different routines. Super well explained, calmly, without rushing and taking the time necessary to make clear all the concepts and peculiarities of each one. Amazing video. If you haven't gotten it, don't waste any more time.

Alexei

This is an excellent set of tutorial videos well worth the price of admission. The gimmicked cards (3 variations with a special back) can easily be found in a gimmicked deck such as Ultra Gaff, but it can also be hand made or even printed. I really love the ideas in the 8 presentation such as Open Traveler, Trapped transposition & Sandwich. Various Switches and Vanishes make this a superb compendium of sleights coupled with gimmicks, even though sleights are not covered in any great depth. While I some of the illusions left me indifferent (e.g. Cannibal cards, Mirage), but overall a terrific video.

Melvyn

very good,would reccommend,10/10

Bernhard

Very good explanations!

Phillip

Excellent project. I was familiar with the gaffs and have several such, both printed and DIY. The latter from De La Torre's, "new Jumping back." I haven't watch the whole project yet but right off the bat I like what I have seen! Lots of good ideas.

Richard

Wow! So great! I had no idea, yet so simple in concept and practical in application. Looking forward to giving these a try, and come up with some of my own ideas and applications!

Marc

A very good video, pleasant to watch and very complete. The routines are effective and well constructed. The two authors are quite educational. Handling the gimmick cards in a real-life situation can be a little worrying (risk of being " caught " by the audience) and probably requires a bit of practice to look " natural ". Recommended reading.

Alan

Allan

This is a very interesting project on a clever gimmick that is probably underrated. New applications and routines are provided, along with a proper explanation on the variation of gimmicks and how to make them.

Alexander

Great

Jack

Luke

Awesome!!

Kim

I have not yet watched all of the download video. What I have watched is what was promised in the advertising. The gaffs are very easy to make, as promised. The gaffes should last many performances with only minimal care. The first trick is quite amazing. Also it have a few variation on the ending if you don't care for the one the instructor prefers. All are reasonable and a few, I think, are very good alternate choices. I'll be checking out the rest of the downloads in the next few days. And I'll be learning some of the effects. Overall very nice to say the least.

Kenneth

Sound was terrible.

Josh

Great tutorial, very thorough. There is step-by-step instructions provided on how to make everything, proper handling, and the thought process behind the materials.

Lots of potential uses & adaptations! I can already see so many uses for this and love that the download provides ready-to-perform routines & can also be adapted to one's performing preferences.

Thank you Vanishing Inc. for providing quality videos with great ideas!

jon

you would be foolish not to buy this - i only bought it because i liked Mr Lukian's "toaster" - i don't particularly like gimmicks and neither do they - however, the gimmick is simple and they teach several applications, including classics - one of the best purchases i've made here

Jim

OUTSTANDING. I like that they explain about making a gaff rather than a preprinted single thickness card.

Additionally, I believe using double sided tape adds options to be clean at the routine end. This does, however, require a little bit gentler handling

Rich

Brandon

George

Great way to start a video here. Make it clear what the next steps will be and provide a bit of friendly reassurance along the way. This is the kind of video that really gets your curiosity going... I'm excited to continue on through this project now!

Brandon

Joseph

Just the Overview alone let me know right up front that I had made a great purchase. Not having even watched more than the trailer, I can tell that I am going to not only enjoy the ride on this one but will also likely find some really decent working material in what is to follow. Simplicity is key and this video has multiple keys to work with. Very excited to continue down the path if you will excuse me for now...

Carey

The explanations are great and very detailed. I decided to use one in one of my card routines to take it one step further and it plays so well, I get gasps.

Lindsay

David

Mark

Alonzo

So far i have watched a third of the tutorial and WOW, very simple gaffs. This is alot of magic for the money. One of my best purchases. I am very pleased.

James

The gimmicks are easy to make, and the Magic looks fantastic. I was worried that these would only be practical for virtual shows or camera tricks, but many of the effects will work great live! Very cool stuff!

Tracey

Siddhath

Brian

Even if you know what this gimmick is I guarantee you will walk away with a new routine or at least some inspiration for your own creations. Gimmick is easy and practical and the teaching is very in depth. Maybe too much but at times. Keep in mind these guys know their way around a deck of cards so there are some sleights involved here as well. So while the gimmick helps you do the impossible, there are some places where you'll need to be handy with cards as well.

Douglas

Really well explained. Very engaging teachers - no waffle. Clear, relevant and presented with clarity. The visual angles have been well considered for the audience.

Jose

So, big fan of Giacomo here so my review might be biased, but this is absolute gold. Effects are brilliant, the gimmick is really clever and these to men here explain with such a clarity that you end up with no doubts about what, when or how to do anything. I´m not only talking about the reveals, but also about the way they show you how to make the gimmicks (which is ridiculously easy!). I strongly recommend you to buy this, and I encourage you to go check more stuff from these guys, because it´s amazing.

Steven

Great explanation and step by step instructions to construct the necessary gaffs. Plus, the additional rationale for "real" card gaffs rather than printed gaffs makes so much sense. The ability to have the card edges "sound off" when running the thumb across the gaff and normal cards is a powerful subtlety -- next level thinking. Thanks.

Scott

I'm a relative "newbie" that's getting back into magic. When I saw this shown on Facebook, I thought it was pretty slick. Obviously though, I wondered if it was "newbie friendly". Staff from Vanishing and community members quickly addressed my questions. First, YES, it's newbie friendly. Next, NO hard to create, oddball gimmicks are necessary (though there is some minor set-up necessary) making it applicable to any pack of cards, and easily hidden in the pack. Finally, the video package itself is AWESOME with 3 plus hours of instruction including detailed instructions on how to create the necessary required gimmicks, and videos demonstrating several routines. For someone looking for a cool series of effects (especially "newbies" looking at starting to up their game) this is a GREAT choice.

Scott

Great tutorial and you see to follow.

Robert

That's pretty cool. I did not see that coming from the preview video! I can see that it'll be easy to make these gaffs, just as promised. The descriptions of the various types of overlap gaffs was sufficiently clear and to the point. I'm impressed so far!

Peter

Uncertain. I have a lot to learn :-)

Andrea

Ronald

Very nice so far.

Anthony

Love these approaches to lose a card. New decks are slippery so do you put a tacky substance on your hands to grip them?

Lisa

Ok so I really wanted to write an in depth review to let people know what they’re getting into. First off, I love this download soooooo much. The tricks are real workers and once practiced I believe they will fit right into some of my strongest magic. The visuals are insane and the thoughts and variations Giacomo and Max give on each routine are very good.

Open Travellers - one of the biggest pieces in here and maybe the most difficult. I think with practice this is a masterpiece and it is constructed very well.
Bidder Trick 1: this is one of my favourite and has a very visual vanish. Once again a very strong and well constructed piece of magic.
Biddle Trick 2: this is different to one and is just as good with another ridiculous vanish. Very good and practical
Mirage: my favourite here. This is an extremely magical piece and I think that it is incredibly powerful.
Sucker sandwich: a very nice piece. Good construction and an impossible switch.
Cannibal cards: one of the fairest cannibal cards you will see. There is a fun moment at the end and this is once again a great trick
Mystery card: very very good - this will also take a lot of practice but once handled correctly I think it can be a very powerful piece. The switch taught in it is incredible and can be applied to lots of other things.
Cards across: I think this is one of the lesser tricks of the download but it is nonetheless an incredible trick. A very fair thought of card across.
Trapped transpo: the switch in here is great - the routine is not for me but I think many people will love it and the switch taught can be applied to many other things

The teaching of the construction of the gaffs is very in depth with a few helpful tips to maximise their effectiveness. There is also a section on switching the gaffs in and out which is really great.

The extra thoughts contains a fantastic card through box.
One negative is some of the sleight of hand moves are brushed over a bit - although they are simple moves with many tutorials for them all over the web. If you are a beginner keep this in mind although they are explained pretty well.

Overall this is a steal at this price. Great job Giacomo and Max :)

Norm

Fantastic

Dan

Frank

Very detailed explanation for each step of the process. Also explains options among various materials and reasons why some may choose certain ones over others.

Terrill

Ricardo

Joseph

Jeffrey Kong Sien

This is gold especially the ''Open Traveler'' one of my favorites. If you don't know how this is done this is a good starter for you.

Aidan

Hands down amazing. The gimmick is easy to put together and Max and Giacomo do an amazing job explaining how to both make it and use it. I really appreciate the 3 hours of content and the tricks are absolutely mind blowing. Can't wait to show people what I've learned!

Jake

I gained a ton of value out of the handlings for this gimmick. Definitely something I want to start performing as soon as possible.

Ollie

Very good

FRANCESCO

Wow, this is something quite new to me and there are very powerful new applications explained. I saw a live demo of some of these effects from Giacomo, and they blew my mind.

One of my favourite effect is "mirage" (but there are 10 to learn and to choose from). Quality of the video is good as usual, with very clear instructions on how to perform the routines, how to build the cards and how to switch the gaffs.

I can't see to show these effects in close up when it will be possible again soon :)
(the gaffes are really easy to build... you just need some glue and standard scissors)

Christian

This project gets the creative juices flowing. Great Value for money! 10/10

Daniel

Really cool tricks and wonderful explanation by the magicians in the videos. This gimmick is very clean, fun and easy to make and improves all kinds of different techniques and card tricks!

Marco

jonathon

Fringe is the biggest benefit to all major high class Magician's who do card effects this idea that design is top class because it is an 350 year old idea that has change close up card magic to a new level ! It just simple ! Great Magician's like Paul Gordon, John Carey and ed Marlo and Daryl have used in their own one to one class the 10 effects that you learn is more than the cost of the knowledge that you get! there are several effects that you do ! If you got the creative mind! If this was a hard book and you play £100 for it you will think that you have found the best book on cards that you have ever seen! Love it !

glenn

good quick very understandable explanation

Kieron

Technically, I shouldn't be writing a review yet... I just bought the download and have only watched a couple of sections. But this gets 5* based on the Mystery Card and Open Travellers alone. Great work guys!

Ceri

I got this download on the Christmas sale. Honestly, I was only interested in the Biddle trick and the version of Travelling Aces. I will get around to watching the others at some point. They are clever little gimmicks, really need no time or skill to make. They allow you quite cleverly to make more flourushy reveals, say on the Travelling Aces. BUT you cannot allow the cards to be inspected. I'll keep trying with the gimmicks and playing with switching them out but I still prefer the Larry Jennings original as you are left clean and the cards can be inspected. Always like the Biddle Trick, this version is movesy and I probably wont continue with that one - still prefer Justin Millers Pabiddle now. Production quality is a bit "homemade" but you get a very clear unserstanding of how to make the gimmicks. In some parts of the routines some knowledge is presumed, so total beginners may miss nuances. Overall, well worth the £1 I paid and I am sure some nuggets can be unearthed from the tutorials. Thanks.

Andrew

Clear

Christian

For me :
# Positive points :
- Good idea to have created a project about a gimmick that you do not see often, and that you have probably forgotten.
- Well explained, with some explanations up close and from the magician point of view.
- Some good ideas or advice that you can use elsewhere.
- Gimmicks easy to make.
# Less positive points :
- Almost all the tricks require a table. So not for parlour situation (lack of visibility) and not for all close-up situations.
- I think there are some versions of the tricks, without the gimmicks, that are better and more natural.
# General remark : some sleights are intermediate or advanced (palm, second deal, top change, Vernon strip out addition), some sleights are basic (control of a card, tilt).

Benjamin

The sound quality could be better

Jay

Basic, good overview of series and the gaffs to be explored... Personable presenter. Too much echo in audio.

Ira

David

Raul (Jay)

At first I thought this was a cool concept. But I found out that I had to buy some extra duplicate cards as well. It wasn’t enough to make the gimmicks from the regular deck.

But I’ll admit there are two or three tricks that do not require duplicate cards, and it’s already in the deck that I supplied. So I guess I’m gonna do those.

It’s just that I would rather get a gimmick deck that is made from the factory instead of having to make my own. I thought it would be enough to make the gimmicks and the tricks were ready to go. But I found out I still need those cards to do the tricks here, and they’re already gone because they’re now in the gimmick.

The great thing though, about this video is that the two young magicians are truly passionate about doing card magic. They have great showmanship and performance and make the illusions look really cool with the way they present their patter.

So I definitely give those two props for their passion for card magic which by the way requires a close-up pad to do so. I have nothing against close uppads, but I’m not a paid performing magician so I just do walk around, and I don’t really carry my close up pad unless I decide to bring it with me. But for the most part I don’t bring my pad with me so I don’t think the tricks here are going to be that much helpful for me.

But I am grateful to learning the different tricks and I’m also grateful to make the gimmicks because they do look really cool. So there’s that!

Ferenc

Robert

Would prefer one continuous video rather than short chapters. Bad sound. Badly mic’d?