Here is my in-depth review of Wallet Hacker by Harri Harrington & Haredin Kiamalis.
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YOUTUBE REVIEW
If you want to watch the review, here is the YouTube version.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Andy from Real Workers has gifted this to me awhile back out of generosity. He didn’t request a review, but since I am big fan of wallet trick, there are something I want to share with my readers. In this review, I take no consideration that the product is a gift and thus I will tell you honestly what this is about. If you have doubts or questions, I am open to discussion and listening to your voice.
Effect
This is a card to wallet effect using your own or spectator’s wallet.
WHAT YOU GET?
You will receive a gimmick which looks like credit card.
A link to the password protected online instruction is also provided.
QUALITY OF THE GIMMICK
There are 2 versions of the gimmick card to use for different color of Bicycle Rider back: Red & Blue.
The gimmick is made of heavy stock material, and the weight feels like real credit card. At casual glance, it looks a legitimate card but it can’t withstand closer look. This is not a huge concern if you perform Card-To-Wallet with your wallet, because the gimmick is never in full view during performance.
There is moving part in the gimmick, and thus it is not made for a lifetime. However, It should last a couple hundreds (300-500) of performance,
One good thing about this gimmick is, it can sit in your wallet and you are ready to perform anytime. It doesn’t require any setup or DIY.
All in all, I am satisfied with the mechanical part of the card. It’s cleverly designed. But the artistic design and the printing can be improved to make the credit card more realistic.
QUALITY OF THE TUTORIAL
The explanation comes as online tutorial on Real Workers website. It is not downloadable on your device.
The effect is well explained in a 16 minutes and 01 seconds long video. The explanation is hosted by Joel Dickinson. The video is home-made with the camera shoot at full body length, with one camera angle only. The explanation is clear enough.
For each session, I will give it a name because it is not named on the instructional video.
Length (in minutes) of the main parts (I literally counted):
Welcome - 0:57
Performance: Own Wallet - 1:00
Handling - 4:20
Visual Production - 1:46
Card to Spectators Wallet - 5:14
Alternative Handlings - 2:14
In Welcome session, Joel explains what you get in the package and the working of the gimmick. Since the working of the gimmick is quite obvious, explanation is clear enough for learners to know what happens with it.
In the 'Performance', Joel demonstrate the effect in studio. It is not a live performance, but with Andy as the spectator. That being said, the studio performance represents pretty much what it is in actual performance.
As for the 'Handling', Joel teaches you how to set the gimmick and make spectator's signed selection appear in it. There are mainly 2 parts: first, to get the card appear inside the wallet. This involves very simple operation. The gimmick does most of the work for you. Second, it is about techniques.
Several techniques are taught here to get the signed card into position and loaded in the wallet. The techniques are not difficult but beginners may need to practise. In fact, there are many ways to accomplish the effect, thus knowledgeable magicians should have no issue to handle it. The techniques are taught with enough clarity, but beginners may prefer alternative handling which is taught at the end of the tutorial, because that version is easier.
Visual Production is about producing the signed card in the empty wallet. This version is a slight variation of the main handling. The concept is fun but somehow implies a gimmick wallet from audience's perspective. To give an example of what I mean, just imagine if you are using Himber Wallet and produce a card with it instantly. It somehow transmit a message that there must be something with the wallet to the audience, right? Therefore, I like this playful idea, but it is not something I personally will perform.
In 'Card to Spectators Wallet' section, Joel explains the handling to make the signed card appear inside the spectator's wallet. There is a studio performance. Full presentation is given as well. In this version, you need to obtain the wallet from spectator and put the gimmick card openly into it. The presentation covers this aspect, but I remain doubtful of how practical this presentation and approach is. There is a couple of limitations and unknowns which may ruin the effect if not handled well. For instance, the wallet type, the way spectator filled the wallet, how comfortable the spectator let the performer to touch the wallet, they are all factors which may affect the success of this variation of effect.
Alternative Handling includes 2 handlings of loading the signed card into the wallet. One is quite standard and experienced magicians should have known it already. The other one is not too natural but usable.
To conclude, since the gimmick is very easy to understand, even beginners should have no problem using it. Of course, while the gimmick is ‘automatic’, some moves are required to accomplish the effect. I like the clarity of the tutorial. In fact, Joel and Andy have improved this tutorial since awhile back. I love the attitude of how they are improving this product.
DIFFICULTY
The operation of the gimmick is easy. And if you are using no-palm method to load the selection, it’s manageable even to beginners. If I would rate the difficulty, I will give it 4 out of 10.
EXAMINABLE?
The gimmick is not examinable or even survive close look. But since it sits in your wallet just like other credit card, no spectator will ask for inspection. It’s not an issue at all.
RESET TIME
There is no reset time. You ‘activate’ the gimmick in your wallet, and it’s ready to go for the effect.
KEY POINTS OF THE PRODUCT
Credit card gimmick with nice mechanism
Easy to operate
Little pocket space required
Good for own wallet
Not ideal to use with spectator’s wallet
Loading into wallet require some moves
PROS ABOUT THE PRODUCT
Good quality gimmick. They are durable.
The operation of gimmick is very easy, almost automatic.
The gimmick can turn your everyday wallet into a device for Card-To-Wallet.
CONS ABOUT THE PRODUCT
The gimmick cannot survive close look.
Not practical as card to spectator’s wallet
FINAL VERDICT
I always love card-to-wallet effect. But most creators’ approach is to accomplish the effect with wallet. While some wallets come with good design, but most are not ideal as a everyday wallet.
Wallet Hacker makes a difference. Joel and Andy have taken an unorthodox approach. No more you need to use the gimmick wallet, but a gimmick will transform your everyday wallet into a magic device.
Of course, every wallet comes with different designs. This gimmick will work with most wallet with pockets in which you can put the credit card horizontally. However, in my opinion, it is not an effect you want to use with your spectator’s wallet, because you never know for sure what the wallet design and condition is.
At current price of £29.99, Wallet Hacker is an ingenious device that make card-to-wallet easy with your own wallet. It occupies little pocket space and is ready to go anytime. It’s an almost perfect device if you regularly perform card-to-wallet. I highly recommend it to any magician who want to carry strong magic in their everyday wallet.
Tutorial Quality: 8/10
Effectiveness of Tricks: 9/10
Practical: 8/10
Creativity: 9/10
Cost Performance: 7/10
Final Score: 8/10
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