I have a bit of a dilemma with this review, as I’m not sure whether to judge the effect by the list
price, or the Cool Box special price I paid.
Shortly after opening the package, you get the
distinct impression that the commercial goal of this product is not to sell DVDs, but to sell
string. The string provided is barely enough to practice with, and you will need much more to
perform this effect with any regularity. In fact, the pittance of string you get is wrapped around a
cardboard card, helpfully telling you how to order more string.
I concur with the previous
criticisms that this string is awfully tough to break by hand without getting cut. Tony Clark, the
creator, concedes as much by featuring a “New EZ Break String” on his website. I am considering
performing this with a kid volunteer cutting the string, instead of breaking it by hand. Not only
would this solve the tough-break problem. But it would help sell the fact that the string is indeed
being cut.
The catch is that you can only buy the replacement string from Tony Clark in
quantities of 1,800 feet for the new string or 2,400 feet for the original string, both setting you
back about $30, more than the list price of the effect itself. A posting on another magic website
suggested buying “superfine yarn” from a sewing or crafts store, but I can’t vouch for this
personally.
That all being said, I really liked this effect and will be using it for my
church’s Stone Soup show. I’ll probably add some Gospel patter along the lines of each member of the
church breaking off with his or her own talents, but coming back together as one in the Body of
Christ.
With my Cool Box purchase price, I can handle the extra cost of thread, balloons,
and helium. But if I had to pay the list price on top of the hefty materials cost, my review would
have been slightly less favorable.
6 of 7 magicians found this helpful.
I've performed with Tony Clark at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and I was able to
observe the audience reactions to this artful effect. It's inspirational, elegant and magical.
6 of 8 magicians found this helpful.
This is DEFINATELY worth every penny!
Its so simple and easy to learn and perform.
EVERYONE
will want this for any part of your routine.
Take a chance, you'll be AMAZED and so will your
audience.
5 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
Sure, the method is simple and nothing new. However the application of the Gypsy Thread to a balloon
makes the DVD well worth your consideration. The supplied thread is tough to break, however if you
will visit Tony's website there is a short video in which Tony teaches the correct way to do it.
Since watching the video I've had no difficulty in breaking it. In addition, he also sells E-Z Break
thread. This is a beautiful closer for any show!! My highest recommendation!!
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
I must agree with the previous reviews, the thread is not easy to break with your hands. Other than
that its a nice effect. You get what you see on the trailer, its not hard to perform.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
I give it 4 stars because it is a great, solid effect. The teaching is clear, and straight forward.
However the total running time of the DVD is about 10 minutes.
That would be fine if they
supplied you with enough of the string for multiple performances. As is, you get enough for maybe
3-4. Then they refer you to another website to buy more string.
This should have either had
more supply, or be a download with instructions below to also purchase the string. The price is too
high for the amount of material supplied.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
It didn't take lake to learn and the reactions are incredible. Thank you Tony for a fantastic
trick.
3 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
the kids in my kids shows LOVE this one at the end. I usually use a Birthday Balloon or holiday
balloon per the type of show I am doing. But the working is perfect to end ANY show with!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
The string provided, said to be especially made, is really hard for me to break. Tony Clark has
apparently recognized this and has a YouTube video of tips to make it easier. I have also used some
string of my own, and bought a spool of "EZ break" thread from the Tony Clark website. The effect
is excellent.
1 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
It's not a bad little effect. However, first of all, I really didn't learn anything new. They way
I thought he did it is exactly the way he did it. Second, for what you get for the price, this
would have been better as one effect on a DVD of half a dozen good effects or more. I have some
DVDs like any from Mel Mellers or FIVE by Garcia & Eddy or any of the "World's Greatest Magic.."
series that are really worth the money because you have multiple routines. This is simply too
little for too much cost.
3 of 6 magicians found this helpful.