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Paul Carnazzo: Lookout Wallet Review

One special business card wallet, one DVD and $60 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect/Method

What you're getting is a peek wallet . . . a wallet that allows you to secretly gain information that is written on a business card in the wallet. The effects you can do are up to you. The most common are simply mind reading and design duplication.

The method for getting the peek is very simple and quick. It will take very little practice to get it to work. It's has one angle issue that you have to watch for, but Paul Carnazzo does an excellent job of showing you how to deal with this and even gives some handling ideas that will completely eliminate the angle problem. The bottom line for method is that it is very easy and very effective and practical. It's totally doable for just about any skill level.

Ad Copy Integrity

The video trailer is 100% accurate. It is as clean and as good as it looks in the ad trailer. In the written ad copy, however, there are a couple of points to consider. The claim that the wallet will hold 40 business card is true, but the wallet flap won't completely close with this many cards. My business cards as pretty thick, so maybe a thinner card would work. For me, it holds 30 easily without having a problem keeping the lid/flap closed.

The flap is magnetic, but the pressure of the stack of cards is stronger than the pull of the magnet if you have too many cards in the wallet. The same problem will exist if you put a full deck of cards in the wallet. Also, just to clarify the ad copy, you cannot put 40(30) business cards AND a deck of cards. It's either one or the other. Either way, however, the flap won't stay magnetically connected when you close the flap if it has a full deck (or much more than 30 business cards).

Also mentioned in the ad copy is the fact that the case can fit the Mental Voyage Test Cards. These are four wallet cards (each sold separately) created by Paul Carnazzo. I happen to own these cards. They do fit in the wallet, but there are a couple of issues to consider. First, there are two slots in the wallet where you could put the cards. However, putting them in those slots prevents the wallet lid/flap from closing completely. If you put them in the pocket that holds the business cards, the flap will close just fine, but you'll have to drop down to about 20 business cards rather than 30 or 40.

Keep in mind, with regards to the flap closing "issue" that this does not make the ad copy any less accurate. In the DVD, Paul suggests you use a rubber band to wrap around the wallet if the wallet is too thick to close. This is a better idea than you might think at first glance. Using the rubber band allows for a very simple and well hidden peek. So if you don't mind using a rubber band — I'd use a black one — then all of the above stuff about the flap not closing is moot.

Product Quality

The quality of the wallet is excellent. It's very durable and tough. It'll take some pretty good abuse and last you a long time. You'll also learn how to properly break in the wallet so that it's more usable. The DVD is well produced and covers everything in pretty good depth. Also, there are a couple of subtleties taught that you can add to any design dup effect you do (regardless of whether or not you own this wallet). This will make any design dup seem much more impossible.

Paul teaches a variety of methods for getting the peek as well. You'll also learn how to use it in different settings. The quality of the teaching is excellent. You'll learn everything you need to know to use this wallet effectively.

Final Thoughts

Though I was a little disappointed with the lack of strength on the magnetic clasp that keeps the wallet shut, everything else was absolutely solid. If you keep about 20 or so business cards in the wallet, you can still fit the Mental Voyage Test Cards or a small packet trick (e.g., B'WAVE by Max Maven) and the wallet will close just fine. If you don't want to carry anything other than business cards, you can fit up to about 30 and the wallet will close just fine.

If you don't mind using a rubber band around the case, you can fit a whole deck of cards and a few (maybe 5 to 10) business cards and the Mental Voyage Test Cards. Or without the deck, you can fit 30 to 40 business cards, plus maybe a packet trick and the Mental Voyage Test Cards. In other words, if you don't mind the rubber band, you can carry a full mentalism show in your pocket.

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of gem.