Okay, here goes. I've contemplated getting Tool for a while, missing the cutoffs for pre-orders twice actually. When I was finally able to hold it in my hands (after really fast shipping from Penguin Magic), I was severely disappointed.

The reason for my disappointment was that the gimmicks arrived completely bent, with deep gouges in the card boxes because of the DVD case that they were shipped in. Maybe it's just me, but I think if you're gonna sell a trick that revolves around such a prominent gimmick, you ought to package it a little better than sticking it in a slim DVD case.

I thought maybe I could fix it, use a different card box, but I shouldn't have to do extra construction for 34.99. I'd also like to note that my gimmick arrived with a lot of dried glue marks, and misaligned edges. Maybe I'm being finicky, but I just can't feel compelled to try and fix a gimmick that shouldn't have these flaws in the first place.

To be perfectly clear, this is not Penguin Magic's fault. In fact, they agreed to give me a store credit which I would happily accept to buy Chris Ballinger's Redemption. I'm not going to get into which trick is better, they both have strengths and weaknesses. However, I noticed (through several YouTube unboxings) that Redemption is shipped in box, with actual padding that keeps the gimmick from getting crushed in transit. Redemption also shows you how to remake the gimmick, something that Tool's ad copy only claims to do.

But differences between the two tricks aside, if you've made up your mind to purchase Tool or any gimmick of the sort, you may want to purchase it with a shipping method that packs it an actual box, and not a padded envelope that might be subject to being squashed under other mail to be delivered.

Please do not get me wrong but this purchase was not my favorite of all. My main concern wwas the way the gimmick was made. I live in Nyc and i was out with the gimmick in my pocket ( as it should be HANDLED) and when i took it our to perform it completely deteriated in the heat. Completely. Shot. This completely changed my view on the product. A nice idea but the durability of the gimmick was very dissapointing.

On my first live performance of Tool, a spectator spilled a full glass of wine on my cards, card box and everything. I emailed David Stone directly and asked if could purchase a replacement for that single deck. I've never heard back from him ... Not even a "no.".

So I searched the net to find the secret something I would need, found it and made my own set. Turns out it looks, feels snd works better than the original. So David loses a paying customer for life and I learn how to make a better "tool" than the original. Fair trade, I guess.

I received the package last week and the first thing I noticed that the gimmicks were POORLY made. It was so bad that I had to rip the thing apart and recreate the gimmick. It's not too difficult to do and I would recommend it because the packaged gimmick doesn't even hold your complete deck. Once I re-engineered the gimmick, I love it. I carry it with me all the time. As for the DVD...you might as well just toss it in the trash. It's terrible. There are some good routines but most are fairly basic and once you start playing with the gimmick you will come up with a ton of stuff on your own.

The gimmick is not the best quality ( The cards will not fit in the box) and the DVD could have some better explanations ( the explanations have no sound), but the effects are so visual and the reactions make it completly worth the price.

This is an awesome gimmick that can easily be used by any type of close up magician whether you perform with cards or not. This wont sit at home in your magic drawer. It will be in your case 24 7. The gimmick is very clever. I tried to guess the secret before my purchase, and I was way off. No one will ever suspect this. I have a friend that likes to be a wise guy and always ask: Can I examine those cards? This time even he was freaking out when he looked through my completely ungimmicked deck. Sure, you don't end completely clean, but honestly, how many people are going to to ask to see the box? And if they do, this can be fixed with a little sleight of hand. Also the DVD isn't to die for, but it gets the job done. Regardless of these two negatives, this package is well worth twice the price. Add to cart and make one of the best magic investments you've ever made.

This device basically allows you to vanish a card. This can produce the effect of causing a card/color change, of course. I highly recommend this trick, but be aware -- you are not going to be doing this trick twice, close up, for a group of people who have a brain. The second time, they are going to focus on the prop, and the gimmick is visible close up (something you cannot see in the videos). You have to at least Flash the gimmick once after the change occurs. The first time you do this, they will not be looking for it and you are fine. The second time, a lot of heat on the prop. Unless you are performing for children, in which case you could do a whole series of tricks for them. Also note that the gimmick takes up the space of 4 or 5 cards, so you cannot pack an entire deck with this into the case.

I only gave this a four because it is not quite as clean as what you would expect. You cannot let the specs examine the prop (unless you can dispose of the gimmick). If you are used to carrying a deck around to do card tricks, you should own this and keep the deck packed with it. It's a good purchase, and will produce at least one highly amazing effect without fear of discovery.

David Stone's "Tool" is a great utility device for creating 'impossible' card effects. The teaching DVD accompanying the device has Mr Stone demonstrating a number of effects but I am sure an imaginative card worker could develop many more uses. The only caveat would be that overuse of the device in front of the same audience would likely create suspicion. Mr Stone's teaching is silent, demonstrating the methods without an accompanying commentary. I would have preferred hearing more from Mr Stone but that may be because my version of "Tool" came with David Stone's book "Close up - The Real Secrets of Magic". After reading the book I really wanted to hear from that over-the-top, ballsy guy. Nothing taught would be beyond the skills of most people with even rudimentary card skills. (I include myself in this category). Recommendation: Buy.

David Stone needs to invest in a bit thicker dvd case to accomadate the gaffs. mine too came a little bent and have some crimp marks from being squeezed in the ultra thin dvd case. Nothing I cant fix or even live with but poor quality for the price. Not at all the fault of Penguin as it was packaged and shipped well. David should send extra gaffs to Penguin to replace for all who experience this problem.

WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE VIDEO. POOR QUALITY AND HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON. IT WAS TOO FAST AND NEEDED TO BE A LITTLE MORE DETAILED.