Stone Frixion Fire Review

Official Review

May 28th, 2010 12:07pm Rating:

Reviewed by Gordon Meyer

The oddly-named booklet "Stone Frixion Fire," is an exploration of effects that one can achieve by careful and thoughtful use of the Frixion ballpoint pen. It's an adequately produced 84-page, wire-bound half-sized booklet. Stone has applied the appropriate amount of attention to the production details, and it is better than many books that are rushed to market. And I do feel that this booklet was probably rushed to market. There are plenty of magic books that contain untested ideas, and Stone Frixion Fire is no exception. While it's advertised as being exhaustive and solid, several of the effects are the result of "dinking around" and others are added because Stone thought them up while editing the manuscript. I do give him credit for admitting this, but still, as a purchaser I'd be happier if more effort had been made to separate the wheat from the chaff. For example, a list of words that one might be able to disguise within drawings isn't very helpful when the advice given amounts to "figure out how by yourself." That said, there are plenty of good ideas and concepts for you to explore. If you can see past the lack of depth, and are willing to overlook that Stone admits to not doing any research until the book was essentially finished, you'll have a good time reading this book. The language and tone is very casual, and Stone's whole intent is to "stir creativity," which he definitely achieves. If you're interesting in using Frixion-based effects that are more than just stunts or oddities, this book is worth its reasonable price, but you might find yourself wishing that Stone had applied his obsession in a more studious fashion. You probably can't do any better when it comes to this nascent topic, so if you must dive-in, this is a good place to start.

Product info for Stone Frixion Fire

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Jeff Stone just doesn't know when to quit, lucky for us! His books are like finding a chest filled with gold, then discovering a secret compartment in the chest filled with diamonds, then discovering there's a false bottom in the chest that's filled with emeralds. Yep....they're like that, but better.

At first glance, Stone Frixion Fire plumbs the depths of what can be accomplished with these ingenious pens to entertain your audience. But it goes farther: it cultivates directions in which these pens can take your performing. The effects presented are smooth and very reachable for nearly any performer. Good, solid material all the way around.....and that'll never disappear!

With the coming of Frixion to America, now is the time to ride the wave. Stone Frixion Fire is the most comprehensive study of this fascinating new tool for magicians. This book covers every aspect of the Frixion Pen imaginable. From simple things like where to get them and how to conceal their use from the audience to things that you cannot even imagine. For just a couple of bucks at a stationary store, you can purchase a tool that will revolutionize your magic.

This may sound like hype to you, but once you read this book, you'll see how powerful this is. Imagine making a drawing on a piece of paper come to life, literally. What about turning a picture of money into the real thing visually with no sleight of hand. How 'bout a picture of a scrambled cube that can be examined. This same picture visibly solves itself, no switches. The spectator can keep it. With over 20 effects, ideas and contributions from Wesley James, Brad Gordon, Diamond Jim Davis and more, you will be richly fed with clever and original presentations and performance ideas.

If -as the saying goes- 'God is in the details' then Jeff's book, Stone Frixion Fire, is one of the more divine little manuscripts I've read in a long time. He breaks down everything from presentations to crediting with the fervor of an obsessive 16th-century monk. Best of all, he also shares some extremely MAGICAL effects!
-Jay Sankey