The Seventh Key (Seven Keys Supreme) by David De-Val

Seven Keys Supreme was created by the master escape artist David De-Val c. 1984 and it was sold by Supreme Magic Company.  It was later re-released as The Seventh Key c. 1991 and sold directly by  David De-Val. I purchased this as The Seventh Key by David De-Val c. 2000. The Seventh Key is not the same as David De-Val’s earlier Master Padlock c. 1977 (also they both use a Squire padlock).  The Master Padlock was gimmicked to allow opening without a key, whereas The Seventh Key and Seven Keys Supreme was gimmicked to behave in a similar way to Key-R-Rect.

There are way too many locks and key effects on the market.  However, this one from David De-Val has gone straight to my favorite list because it is so clean. It can be used to lock a ring on the hasp, a box, bag, etc. The genuine, heavy, brass padlock is made in England by Squire. Of course after showing only 1 of the 7 keys unlocks the padlock, the performer or spectator can always choose the correct key.

What makes this method so clean is that at no time whatsoever does the magician need to touch the padlock or keys – either during the testing phase or the final choice of the key that opens the padlock. Once the effect is over the magician does need to briefly touch the padlock to reset it – but this can be done after the performance or just in the process of handing the padlock out again (if desired).

There are also no external pins, magnets, batteries or gimmicks to worry about. One of the cleanest and simplest version of Annemann’s Seven Keys to Baldpate type effect that I have seen.

It was custom manufactured and patterned after an old English Squire 770 padlock, with a rounded body, rounded tabs near the shackle openings and a swing-out keyhole cover. It is large, almost 4 inches, and heavy, so it registers as genuine when handled by spectators. The instructions claim that you can thread several ladies’ rings on the shackle, but it is actually so thick that not all women’s rings would fit.

An alternative version was issued with a brass shackle rather than a steel one and these are uncommon. The routine is the typical Seven Keys mentalism one, but the strength of this product is that it can be handled completely by the spectator. The magician never needs to touch the lock or keys, so it makes for a very clean effect.

One feature common to Squire locks is that the key turns clockwise to open the lock, and must be turned counter-clockwise to lock it. Simply pushing the shackle back into place will not lock the lock. Though typical of these older style locks, key re-locking is less common today, so spectators may not be aware that this is a natural feature of the lock.

De-Val created the Seventh Key in 1991 to operate similar to the Key-R-Rect principle. That is, several keys do not open the lock, but one key opens the lock and at the same time, sets the lock so that the other keys will subsequently open it. One nice feature of this product is that after opening the lock, it can be quickly and easily re-set so that only one key will open it later.

Effect: Undoubtedly the world’s best version of Annemann’s classic Seven Keys to Baldpate. The effect is made from a genuine Squire Old-English padlock, made in solid brass. The lock is really impressive, being a mammoth 4 inches high. Six keys are shown and tried in the lock – none of them will open it.

The seventh is the only one that can unlock it. Ail seven keys are then genuinely mixed. Then, a lady assistant’s ring is locked onto the padlock. Six spectators each choose a key. There is no force of keys of any kind involved. The lady keeps the key that is left and that is the one that will open the padlock. “There is no switching of any of the keys at any point. A fantastic result that works each and every time you perform this effect!

Many different routines are possible. A prop that will give long-lasting use.

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