Deck Zag is pretty cool, but it seems reasonably obvious what is going on, I think.
The video does have a lot of cuts, it is not one continuous video.
So i suspect some details had to be hidden.
Members of the Cafe who bought it are nonetheless pretty satisfied with it.
The price is very reasonable, 95 dollar including worldwide shipping.
Hocus-pocus sells it, it’s in stock again.
I think it’s clever made.
Yet it must be angle sensitive and the item is not examinable.
But I prefer to wait for the next Magic Wagon at the end of this month, another ‘mechanical marvel’
Re: This one baffled me...
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 3:42 am
by ØyvindK
I agree, Rob. Deck Zag is cool, but it will be angle sensitive, that's for certain. The device itself is pretty simple I think, so you pay for exotic wood and craftmanship. Price is absolutely reasonable.
The video does have a lot of cuts, it is not one continuous video.
I didn't like all the video editing and cuts either. I think for a video presentation the trick is quite and probably also for a single viewer who is directly facing you but i guess the viewing angles are severely limited for other conditions. The hand position is still a bit awkward for me though. I like the design in wood and it also seems to be cleanly processed. If it could be handed out, however, it would already be a very strong trick. Would the trick available in Germany at the offered price I would be tempted to buy.
Re: This one baffled me...
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:37 am
by BillD
I think this is a great Zig Zag deck effect / illusion using an actual deck of cards...it's called "Cutting the Pack" and it is by the gifted English craftsman - Wayne Mattox
It can be viewed through 360 degrees, and performed up close with a little bit of spectator management. However, it is mainly designed for a Parlour or Stage routine.
If you look closely at the photos (which give a true representation of the dimensions) the deck cannot fit into the space on the left....it's impossible!
BTW, in case you were thinking, there is no hole on the underside of the platform for the deck to fall through into the performer's hand, in fact it can be performed on a hard surface or even flat on the palm of the hand.
Re: This one baffled me...
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:57 am
by ØyvindK
Bill, that looks really intriguing! And the visual appearance of the apparatus looks very interesting. Is this a trick you own? Do you know if there's a video performance of it somewhere?
I do have theories for how it is done, and it seems clear that the front facing card in the deck needs to be a specific card (like the King of Diamonds, as shown in the pictures).
It is actually tempting to recreate this myself, even if I have another project in my mind currently.
Those are some great looking items - thanks for that link Bill. Do you know if he still makes these and the price is affordable?
Deck Zag looks really nice, but I don't think many people I (!) perform for would be baffled.
Re: This one baffled me...
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:10 am
by BillD
Hi Øyvind,
Yes, I own this effect, and don't think there are any performance videos around.
I believe Wayne still makes these, however, I haven't spoken to him for over 20 years. Because of this I am not at liberty to discuss the modus operandi, as I am sure you will understand.
BTW, the photos don't do it justice.
I also recommend that you check out Wayne's other effects using the same link.....Silk Through Mirror, Bird Through the Mirror, Nest of Boxes, 6 in Line, etc.....all incredibly well made!
I have found an old video of Saxon Tylney performing the Bird (Budgie) thru the Mirror effect. The difference with Wayne's version is that he has built in some features that allows everything to be fully examined....also, the quality of the workmanship is superb.
That's really wonderful. How he got that watch into the box(es) is a mystery to me.
The explanation is much more magical than the effect itself. We just only can watch Tommy explained everything in the details with jaw drops on the table.
Neat, but only doable on camera. Not too difficult to figure out, though. Even if some aspects could be done with more than one method.
I also think I know how Jandro's trick was done, but it depends a little on the rules of the P&T show. It wasn't a camera trick (well, sort of, just not in post-processing), and the people inside vanished on their own two feet.
- thanks for that link Bill. Do you know if he still makes these and the price is affordable?
I know the Norwegian language and the order was already placed
and 
