Recently my friend Jon Allen informed me that he had a new version of his best selling trick “Paragon” in the pipeline. He sent me a little private video clip and I was fascinated! You do the same Paragon effect, but then you use a clear key chain attachment for the storage of the card.
I thought: “What a great idea!” The switch (Paragon technique) looks just beautiful and convincing. it is practical. You can carry it around everyday. The gimmick will be really sturdy and hold up to a lot of usage (it is carried in the pocket everyday). I really like it.
You are not limited to perform the signed playing card to impossible location, but – for everyday use – could do a small mentalism piece with a blank card, etc. Even the signed bill would be fine (and, in “impromptu” situations, maybe even more fitting). A perfect killer effect to carry around everyday.
Then Jon told me that a guy had contacted him that he had a version of the signed card in key chain already on the market and it wouldn’t make any sense for Jon bringing out his thing. Well, I was aware of this trick as well, and the guy’s version is a very fine conception and a fine trick, BUT – honestly I think Jon’s handling and the cleanness of the switch is beyond all. It all boils down to the trick being another version of the signed folded thing to somewhere. What really counts is the switch.
So, support Jon to bring out his version, and tell him not to withdraw it. It would be a shame. Both versions have their place in our market, while I tend to think that Jon’s methodology is much cleaner and convincing. Both versions are relatively easy to do.
Magic has become a broad field and there is something for almost everybody. I believe that both versions belong into the pockets of ambitious magicians and both of them are plain fun to perform and play around with.
