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Heirloom Wallet Deluxe Review
One wallet, 3 sheets of instructions and $70 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect/Method
The Heirloom Wallet is a utility device. It's a multiple out wallet that can hold up to 16 outs with super easy access. It was designed to be used for the effect Heirloom. However, it can be used for many other multiple out effects. This wallet is a suped-up version of the Shogun Wallet. There are 8 outs on each "side" of the wallet, if you know what I mean — Shogun owners know.
Additionally, you are able to show the wallet to be totally empty immediately after removing the appropriate card/photo/prediction/etc. from the wallet. It's very easy to use and the required "out" can be quickly and easily retrieved.
Keep in mind that the Heirloom Deluxe effect is sold separately for about $50 bucks. So if you want to use this wallet for that effect, you'll still need to purchase the effect as well. However, with the Heirloom Wallet you receive two effects you can do with the wallet even if you don't have the Heirloom effect.
First, a spectator selects a number between 1 and 52, then deals down to that number in the deck. When the card at that position is turned over, you show that you have that exact card (and no other cards) in your wallet.
Second, 5 spectator's each choose an ESP card. You have a prediction on your business card that lists all five of the symbols that were selected. Of course, you can also show the wallet to be otherwise empty. The wallet works smoothly and cleanly exactly as described. The method is doable and well within the grasp of any skill level.
Ad Copy Integrity
The written ad copy basically just describes the quality of the wallet, and their description is very accurate. It also states that the wallet also comes "with additional ideas and routines that will enable you to perform a number of high-impact, killer mentalism effects." Well . . . you get two extra effects that are very briefly explained. These are either the "ideas" or the "routines." The instructions do not include "ideas" AND "routines," just two ideas. The video trailer basically shows the impact of the performance of Heirloom Deluxe, so there's really nothing to critique there.
Product Quality
The wallet is very well made. It's nice looking black leather that will last a long time. The instructions, on the other hand, felt very "thrown together." Yet, you will still be able to get what you need from them. Further, the instructions referred to a clasped-down ID pouch and four credit card slots. However, mine had 8 credit card slots and no ID pouch. I wonder if this is left over from the original Heirloom Wallet rather than the Heirloom Wallet Deluxe.
This only ads to my suspicion that the instructions were "thrown together." It would seem that they may have just changed the name of the instructions, added a couple of things and included it with the Deluxe wallet.
In the effect where a spectator chooses a number from 1 to 52 and deals down to the card at that position, the instructions
Final Thoughts
They suggest using this wallet as your regular wallet, so I tried it. I transferred my two main debit cards, my driver's license, my LDS temple recommend and all of the effects I carry in my wallet: B'WAVE, Dreamweaver, 5 ESP cards, Powerball 60, and Soundwaves. It's not a bad fit. I had to put Soundwaves and my temple recommend in the bill pocket which is a little bit of a bummer. I'd rather they were in their own pocket like they are in my normal wallet.
However, it's relatively doable to make this your regular wallet if you don't mind streamlining your wallet contents a little bit. Personally, I would likely keep this as a separate wallet set aside just for this effect. I have a couple of additional things I would add to the wallet that would make it logical to have a separate wallet for this effect.
If you're getting this just for the ability to perform Heirloom/Heirloom Deluxe, then it's a no-brainer. Get it. If you're looking for a good quality multiple out wallet, then it's a no-brainer. Get it. If you're looking to learn a bunch of new tricks to do using a multiple out wallet . . . don't bother. However, considering that this product is called Heirloom Wallet Deluxe, and it was originally made to perform Heirloom, then this product does everything it claims to do.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
8 Comments
You are correct about the ID slot being in the older version. I had this effect with the earlier version of the wallet and sold it because the wallet didn’t have enough slots to use as an everyday wallet, the ID pocket took up one whole side. Other than than the wallet was great, very nicely made and made from leather. I have since purchased from Kenton Knepper the Killer Wallet which appears to be very similar to this one, no ID slot. The only thing I don’t like about it is it is made of vinyl not leather but not a deal breaker. I wish you would share your ideas about how to openly declare it is not your wallet. I have tried to come up with an idea for that and all but one seems pretty lame.
@Jay – Sorry brother. I’ve gotta keep some stuff to myself. 🙂
You share tons! You are the most generous guy in magic!
@Jay – Why thank you Miss Scarlet . . . I do declare . . . [blushing]
I also have the original Heirloom wallet. The new ‘Deluxe’ model is made of a soft, textured, pliable, good quality leather. Unlike the original, it has a stamped “A” (Alakazam logo) in the lower corner of one side. This is to allow quick orientation of the wallet. The original is made of a smooth leather, exactly the same size and slightly stiffer. I prefer the new wallet better. The new wallet also has white stiching along the tops of the slots. Apparently, it helps quickly see the slots when glancing to get the picture. I didn’t have a problem with that in the original wallet. The built in feature to show the wallet contents is brilliant and extremely well constructed.
Referring to the original wallet is kind of moot since it is no longer available, but I’ll do it anyway…’cause I can. Jay is correct in commenting that the original wallet had a slot for the letter. A good feature but was too limiting on the number of places to put credit cards. The new wallet does not have the ‘clasp down pouch (the original was just a slot with no clasp), so you have to figure out where to put the letter, or letters if you choose to use both options. Not sure why that is in the instructions. It’s like the person who wrote them never actually saw the finished wallet.
My only other very small complaint is that the slots are just a little too deep for the photos. It is actually built to hold poker sized playing cards. This means you have to carefully place the cards if you want them to peek over the edge of the slot.
Regarding the instructions – Jeff is correct that they are exactly the same instructions and routines as provided in the original. Only difference is they are on A4 size paper and printed rather than photocopied.
Regardless of whether one chooses to use it as their regular wallet, it should be ‘broken in’ to look like you carry it all the time. Otherwise, it appears like you only use it to show this effect. Put a couple bills in each side for added realism. I aIso added some credit card lookalikes in the various slots. I don’t use it as a daily wallet, but keep it in a back pocket around the house. I do carry the letters with me all the time in my regular wallet to further age them. I also keep a few pictures in pants pockets to age them, as well as bending and generally abusing the heck out of them.
When the wallet, photos and letter(s) are properly aged it is a killer effect. Used with Luna 1935 from Outlaw Effects and a Luna Key Box you will leave your small group writhing on the floor gasping for air…
@Craig – Thanks for the comment brother. As for the photos being smaller than the pockets, I just let the photos go all the way to the bottom of the slot. I had no problem retrieving them even when they were at the bottom.
That’s what I’v decided, too. I have to admit that the white stitching makes it a lot easier to both load and retrieve the photo. I also occasionally reach in and pull out a photo at random times during the day for practice.
@Craig – That’s smart thinking . . . randomly picking a photo throughout the day.