Price$24.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryNot Listed
Date AddedApr 13, 2019
Modern Flap Card PHOENIX
Magic Soul
(Based on 2 reviews)
Over many months of extensive research, Hondo has refined the Flap Card design to allow for faster flips and the near-complete elimination of fold lines and uneven surfaces. This means that you (yes, YOU) will be able to perform for audiences on all sides AND up close, with any type of card you'd like: the design looks great on Aces, number cards, and blank cards alike. Not only that, but Hondo's specialized locking mechanism will allow you to hold a flip, hands-free, and release it whenever you're ready. And the most exciting news: you will now be able to flip the same card TWICE, showing a total of three different surfaces to stun and amaze your audience.
This product includes a PHOENIX 8 of Spades to Ace of Spades Modern Flap Card.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
This is going to be a strange review and in a rare instance, you should also read the other reviewer's comments posted on this site in 2022. I received this for review in early Summer-ish 2022. It arrived in a small clear package with a sticker denoting, 'B to G to R Blue Back'. Inside the package was a pre-made gimmick; just by noodling around with it, it was a fast blue back to green back to red back card. OK -- kinda cool, but I need more. The package also contained a kind of fake card box back (mildly gimmicked) and some extra clear elastic thread.The envelope it all came in had a link, with the words, "Warning!!! Please watch tutorial before Using" printed, with a link. Problem was: when I got there, I needed a password! No password provided! OK.... problem #1. So, with prompting by this site's owner, I reached out to Hondo, the creator. His response was to send me a link and password for "Flap Card 2.0" Also, (his words, not mine) "Please watch 2.0 and forget 1.0" Now, when I jumped over and watched the 2.0 business......it is BREATHTAKING! The page consists of a long string of videos (about 18, I think) and we are talking epic stuff. I will 100% be digging into that.
So, I just have to give this one a super hard ding, because when you get the gimmick: you can't watch any instructions! That deserves a hard hit! Is the action fast on this gimmick?! It sure is -- and that is commendable. I have requested from Hondo to allow me to view the instructions for version 1.0, but as of this writing I have not received any such link.
There is a robust discussion about all this over at The Magic Cafe that might be worth your time. From what I can learn, the development of this WHOLE business is worth a full-length documentary. This is clever and cool, but the teaching situation was a bit broken.
Effect
A blue backed card changes to a green back to a red back quite miraculously!Method
It is 98% mechanical with a pinch of special handling. As of this writing, I think Hondo has moved all this into a make-you-own situation. From what I've seen, that will involved some heavy arts-and-crafts engagement.Product Quality
If I understand correctly, this version is 1.0. The originator has abandoned this gimmick etc. for a much more improved effect. As it arrived in the package, though, the gimmick is fairly solid. I've spend around 20 minute playing around with it and the action is fast and clean.Ad Copy Integrity
Technically speaking, as it stands today, from what I can find online (I think this pre-made gimmick is nearly impossible to purchase as of February 2024), the ad copy is solid. By noodling around, you can figure out how to make it go from one color to another to another.Final Thoughts
As of February 2024, I don't understand exactly how this is being marketed, but his version (1.0), the gimmick pretty much cannot be found anymore. Per the creator's comment: Focus on using version 2.0Suggestions
However it needs to be done, focus on version 2.0, not this version. 2.0 has an incredible array of instructional videos. Maybe this one does, but darn if I can find it anywhere.(Top ▲)
Well sit back and get comfortable because this may be a long review. They (whoever they are) always say that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it OR say something nice first. As this is a review I do have to say something so here goes … the gimmicked card is amazing as for it’s design, the speed in which it changes, it’s visuality, how thin it is, the locking system it has so you can control when the flap opens and how easy it is to use. If you can hold a card, you can use a Flap Card - great work Hondo. Well there, I have said some nice things.
Now for the not so good news - Buyer Beware … so when I received my Flap Card it was in a small envelope along with some thread to repair my card or make my own. No instructions inside, just a sticker that said “Warning!!! Please watch tutorial before using!” and underneath that was a web address. I went to the address and it took me to a website that was all in a foreign language, I could not make sense of anything thinking I typed the address incorrectly. Nope, tried two more times, no luck. Now what? I searched the internet trying to find an e-mail, another website for Magic Soul, a phone number, something to be able to contact their Customer Service, nothing. I then decided to call a Magic Dealer that sold their product, explained my situation and thankfully they gave me a web address AND password to gain access to the Flap Card tutorials. If all that was not enough, all the videos are to music with English subtitles ‘demonstrating’ how the Flap Card works, how to make your own, how to repair it if it breaks but no demonstrations of how to incorporate it into a routine, tips or performance demos with a spectator.
So, if you are happy to spend $20-$40 on a very well made gimmick and do your own thing great. If you are looking to buy a prop and be taught step by step how to use it, learn effectively and efficiently how to perform and present it before an audience, spend your money on something else.
Now for the not so good news - Buyer Beware … so when I received my Flap Card it was in a small envelope along with some thread to repair my card or make my own. No instructions inside, just a sticker that said “Warning!!! Please watch tutorial before using!” and underneath that was a web address. I went to the address and it took me to a website that was all in a foreign language, I could not make sense of anything thinking I typed the address incorrectly. Nope, tried two more times, no luck. Now what? I searched the internet trying to find an e-mail, another website for Magic Soul, a phone number, something to be able to contact their Customer Service, nothing. I then decided to call a Magic Dealer that sold their product, explained my situation and thankfully they gave me a web address AND password to gain access to the Flap Card tutorials. If all that was not enough, all the videos are to music with English subtitles ‘demonstrating’ how the Flap Card works, how to make your own, how to repair it if it breaks but no demonstrations of how to incorporate it into a routine, tips or performance demos with a spectator.
So, if you are happy to spend $20-$40 on a very well made gimmick and do your own thing great. If you are looking to buy a prop and be taught step by step how to use it, learn effectively and efficiently how to perform and present it before an audience, spend your money on something else.