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Sean Fields: Benz Review
One gimmick, one video download, 30 minutes and $35 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect/Method
For your $35 bucks, you'll receive a gimmick that looks pretty much like an ordinary key, and it fits on your key chain. However, it's actually a device that can bend coins and other small metal objects. You'll need to remove it from your key chain to use it. Once the coin is bent, then you can perform coin bending routines. You are taught a few different switches and handling ideas for coin bending.
The methods are all legitimate and doable and range from super simple to pretty advanced, but again, all doable and realistic. The method for actually bending the coin is the gimmick, of course.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is pretty solid, but there are a few claims that are a little . . . weird? First, it makes a statement that this is better than bending coins in advance with pliers. It then goes on to say that with Benz, the coin is bent well in advance. Well . . . that's true, but it's also true with a pair of pliers, so I'm not sure the point there.
On the video trailer he mentions that you can bend a coin "real time." I'm not sure exactly what that means. My guess is that he means you can bend it during the presentation rather than having it bent before the presentation. Well . . .
Product Quality
Sean Fields teaches two methods of handling the gimmick. One is the method for doing the bend before approaching a table. The other method he refers to as "real time." In this case he shows you how to hold the gimmick so that it's completely concealed in your hands. The implication is that you can do this in front of people with them watching which supports my Ad Copy Integrity theory that "real time" means "during the performance" rather than "before the performance." That's fine, but Sean Fields never shows you how to get into that position during the performance.
Based on what you receive, I would not expect to be able to do a real time bend (i.e., a bend in the presence of the spectator). However, any kind of bend where you switch in the bent coin is totally doable. That is the typical method for most coin bends anyway.
The gimmick itself works, and bends the coin fine. However, due to the size of a quarter and the dimensions of the gimmick, you can't quite get as good of a bend as shown in the trailer. I don't know that this is false advertisement. I think it's more a specification and product quality issue. This is a case where watching the review video will be extremely helpful. It shows you the bend "real time."
The teaching quality was quite good. The only thing that was a little annoying was the I think Sean Fields made this video with an audience of preschoolers in mind. His town and demeanor are both very patronizing. It doesn't affect your ability to learn the routine, but it's slightly annoying. That aside, there was one concern. In the video he said that you can bend the head of a spoon, knives and fork tines.
He shows how to bend the knives, but never shows how to bend spoon heads or fork tines. I'm not sure what a spoon head is, but I think it's the bowl. That being said, there's no way to bend a bowl with this gimmick. If he's referring to the other end, then I would assume that he would have said "spoon handle" not "spoon head." I'm not necessarily criticizing his choice of words. I'm simply pointing out that if he would have shown us how to do it, there would be no question.
Final Thoughts
If you do (or are considering doing) coin bends and you need a portable option for bending the coin, this is a very good choice. Just keep in mind that it's the kind of thing where you'll be in a situation and realize, "hey . . . I might be able to do a coin bend routine here . . ." then you find somewhere relatively private for two seconds and bend a quarter with your Benz. When you're done, you just put the bent quarter in your pocket and you're ready to perform.
Borrow a quarter; "bend it"; give it back to the spectator; They keep your pre-bent coin; you keep their non-bent coin. If you want to do it again for someone else, just secretly bend this coin with the Benz gimmick. Rinse and repeat. Considering everything you're getting, $35 is not an unreasonable asking price.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
6 Comments
From the ad trailer I can see why “real time” is confusing – I’m guessing it’s a scripting problem. He has no script so unclear, undefined words are used. “real time” sounds like at the venue, not in front of spectators.
Ewww! This IS one of the few times that a video review is more useful than a text review. You were too kind in the text review, but the demonstration of its actual use shows that Benz is better used as a projectile weapon. I’ll stick with my usual methods (which does not include a switch) if I ever need to perform again.
You were awfully kind to this product, and especially forgiving to the poor communication of the teacher/demonstrator/creator. Sometimes, Jefferybob, you are too nice a guy. Looks more like a 1.5 or 2 star product to me.
If not switched quickly, you’d have to be careful they don’t notice the difference in the coins if quarters are bent. Back in my day, the only difference was the date. Now, forget about it.
Thanks for showing the different coins. It’s good to see that this really will work best with a quarter and won’t work at all with a penny, dime, half dollar or dollar.
I feel like this is something that really is calling out for a version 2 where they cover the metal part for you instead of asking you to tape it and where it possibly will allow different coins. I can’t imagine bigger coins since it would require an oddly wide key, but possibly smaller ones if they can make the gap and pivot point smaller.
As Chet and Bart mentioned, the video review is very helpful to know what you are getting into here.
I prefer bending pennies. In the long run, it’s a lot cheaper.