Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: I Want Action by Poison

Review of Ignition by Mechanic Industries:

Two Mechanic Industries coins, two key chains, one 8 minute streaming video and $35 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

The basic effect is that you magically link and unlink the key chain from your key ring. The key chain is basically a coin with a hole drilled through it. You cause the hole to vanish from the coin as you magically remove the chain from the coin. You can then cause it to re-attach magically.

Method

The method is basically pure sleight of hand. The props you get are not gimmicked in any way, and the methods are pretty advanced. First, for 95% of the methods, you'll need to be wearing long sleeves (think Rocco or Carl Cloutier). For the 5% of the methods that don't need sleeves, you need a . . . ahem . . . thingie . . . attached to the inside of your coat that's made of "stretch" material. Think "cigarette vanisher."

So are the methods doable? Yes. You'll need a lot of practice, but they're doable for sure. Are they practical? Yes, if you have loose fitting long sleeves in your wardrobe and/or the aforementioned hook up. An item of this nature (a key chain) certainly seems like the type of thing that would be used in a more casual setting than a formal show. However, it might be fine for close up strolling. Those types of shows can be pretty casual.

Just keep in mind that typical sleeving techniques require that you're standing. However, if you're adept at lapping, you could easily adjust the handling for seated performances in a more casual setting.

The method is legit and doable and relatively practical. Basically, the majority of the handling is very much like a Spellbound handling with the added cleanliness afforded by sleeving.

Ad Copy Integrity

Well, it does fall a little short on some levels. First it says, "Keep it with you at all times to perform jaw dropping visual magic at a moments [sic] notice." Well you can if you're wearing loose fitting long sleeves and/or you're wearing the previously mentioned hook up (i.e., P***). So it's not quite as anytime, anywhere as they're saying. It's close. Other than that, I'd say everything is accurate.

Product Quality

The props are beautifully made and will last forever. However, the issues I have with product quality are beyond the props themselves. You get an 8 minute video that you stream from the Mechanic Industries website. It covers, very briefly, the handling, etc. And it's plenty to learn the methods. However, what's a little frustrating is the fact that the ad copy hints at "all the things you can do" with this prop, yet they don't teach you any other ideas.

I didn't dock the ad copy for this because the training video teaches you everything shown on the ad trailer. However, for the price of $35 plus the fact that they don't have the costs of a physical DVD, you'd think they'd be able to add a little bit of meat to the training video. I felt that was a bit of a disappointment for the price.

Final Thoughts

The magic possible with this is visual and powerful looking and looks as good as the trailer shows. The methods are legitimate and doable (with a lot of practice), and the training is well done. The only negative is the fact that I feel you got a little short changed on the training video. For virtually no extra production costs, they could have easily added some more tips, tricks and ideas to use the prop for.

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