Magic Tricks

Not quite like the picture - mine, at least, looks like the "Deluxe Wooden Pool Ball Vase" but with the red billiard ball instead of a pool ball (Solid color, no numbers, red). I suspect the design was simplified for easier wood turning/production. Either way, still beautiful, though it would be nice if the product image was updated to reflect the current stock of product.

The cons: You have to handle this carefully, as the inside of the lid is NOT color matched to the rest of the vase. Very glaringly so. Which precludes casually flashing the inside of the lid as a 'prover' after certain maneuvers. This can be worked around with careful handling I am sure, but honestly, at this price point I feel like I shouldn't have to worry about that.

Minor quibble - the lid fits slightly too tight - it kind of sticks at inoportune times. You have to either use two hands to ensure reliable separation where you want it, or figure out a way to get it to reliable open with one hand, in a way that looks unnatural. Maybe it is supposed to be that tight, but I feel like it makes handling much more difficult, rather than aids it. Seems like the lid fits well enough to form an air-seal, so trying to lift it creates suction that picks up more than it should. Kind of like the way a humidor lid seals. As I stated, minor quibble, and it may 'wear in' with time, or I might take an emery board and lightly sand the connection to reduce stickage.

The pros: Very beautiful piece otherwise, even the maroon velvet bag it comes with is a nice touch. Since it takes a 2" billiard ball (which acts as a nice 'trainer' ball for ball manipulation, btw') the size is such that the 2" wooden multiplying billiard balls from the Classic Collection work VERY nicely as a load. Sadly, the multiplying balls gimmick, which DOES fit beautifully over the vase gimmick, does not allow the lid to close. I had hoped to use this to do multiple color changes, transpositions, etc, but at least the billiard balls fit nicely in the vase, and I cannot penalize the product for not doing something it was never designed to do. Still would have been cool to be able to 'nest' the gimmicks, however.

Overall, this WOULD be a 4 or 5 star product, but the lid color issue is pretty huge. I might take some velvet and double stick tape it to the inside, as that would then make it one consistent color. Still, not something I should wind up having to do.