Die Penetration (Ebony) by Willi Wessel

(Notice: the video shows the lighter brown version, but this page features the rarer darker Ebony version.)

This is Willi’s beautiful Die Penetration.  It is made of solid wood, looks and works perfectly and everything can be examined if you so desire.  Willi shows how to do it using a very simple sleight, but it is quite possible to perform without any sleights, though you are not quite as clean.  The choice is up to you.

In the video Willi will be the first to admit there are a few slips and flashes, he had not performed this effect for probably decades when he did the video for me.  However, what I love about watching Willi perform is how natural his moves are – I’m such a klutz in comparison, particularly when any move is required.  That Magician’s Guilt weighs down on my every time 🙁  So I’ve included the video in tribute to a true master, even if he is not quite at his best in the video.

Thomas Pohle’s Super Block Penetration uses the exact same method and Willi granted Thomas permission to use the idea at the time.  It is also the same method used by Vienna Magic with the Mini Die Penetration.  Willi was not familiar with Vienna Magic’s version and he got the idea from an old J.G. Thompson effect in a book, but cannot recall the name of the effect unfortunately.

This comes with a copy of the original German instructions and there are lots of photos to help you do the move if you so wish.  I can also provide a special online video by Willi himself if requested.

Effect: A small wooden tower, die and rod are displayed. You can hand out the tube and die for examination if desired.

The die is placed in the tube and you can clearly see it’s face through the hole and you lock it inside with the wooden rod. You hold the tube and visibly the die penetrates the wand and drops out of the bottom.

If desired everything can be handed out for examination again.

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