Official Review |
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September 22nd, 2010 6:04am
Rating:   |
| Reviewed by
Gordon Meyer |
What you're buying is a gimmicked playing card that shows a seated devil figure holding a crystal ball in his or her lap. The crystal ball is initially colored solid black, but during the course of the trick the black fades away and reveals a standard card index.
The artwork is good, and the card appears to be handmade. Mostly likely printed on an inkjet printer. The instructions suggest a few routines, and most importantly note that the card should be kept out of direct sunlight and that the revelation requires a room temperature between about 50 and 80 degrees. It also requires a living human to hold or touch the card near the area of the crystal ball. Eventually, the instructions note, the card will wear out.
I like this for the novelty and how quickly the change occurs. (It takes more time for it to return to its original condition.) When you buy this you get to pick which card you want the ball to reveal from a short list of (black) cards. You don't get to pick the card stock, however, mine was supplied with a blue Bicycle back.
The most obvious ways to use The Knowing Kard reduce it to little more than a stunt. While the advertising says that the appearance is "magical, eerie, and amazing," any reasonably bright adult will know exactly how the card works. Given that, I think that The Knowing Kard is probably best used as a surreptitious cue, as suggested in the instructions, or otherwise integrated into a routine where the appearance of the image isn't the whole point of the trick.
At $10 this seems a little overpriced to me, but not by much, and it's unique and works well. If you can put it to good use it's probably worth. But if you're not sure, it's likely going to just sit in your drawer with other cute gimmicked cards. |
 Product info for The Knowing Kard
Author: Meir Yedid and AkemiPublisher: Meir Yedid MagicAverage Rating: (1)Retail Price: $10.00
Manufacturer's Description: The suit and value of a selected card visually materialize in the spectator’s hands.
The Knowing Kard is a new type of gimmicked card that automatically reveals the identity of the selected card while the spectator is holding it.
You'll love this gimmick and immediately create your own routines for it. It has unlimited uses. The basic ones are to have the selection visually materialize while the card is being held by a spectator and to use the card to signal a second spectator the identity of the first spectator’s selection.
The Knowing Card is a hand-made Bicycle playing card with a Joker/Devil face that makes the revelation possible. The visual effect is magical, eerie, and amazing. Especially since the spectator is holding the card when it happens.
Available playing cards: Ace Of Spades, Four Of Clubs, Five Of Spades, Seven Of Spades, Eight Of Clubs, and Ten Of Clubs. Available ESP Symbols: Star and Wavy Lines. You may let us know your preferences when ordering.
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