More Ickle Pickle (Steve Bender) Trash
I read a cool effect I’d never seen in Tarbell 5 (re-reading the classics is always a good thing!) using a Crystal Casket, a glass with a plasticene insert, a small cylinder to cover same and a white silk –the silk vanishes from the glass (sitting atop the casket) and instantaneously appears inside the latter.
This effect is designed for a much smaller Crystal Casket (such as the British firms — Repro and Supreme — were selling 25 years ago or so). Alas I’d lost my old 4" C.C.
After seeing Andy’s presentation of this effect in his video (seen here), I bought one of the Bender versions.
As expected it was overpriced (although I purchased it at cost) but worse, this is cheaply made: no hinge in the lid, it’s only held together with the mylar tape seen here, which will wear out if you’re performing it more than 50 times; plus the "latch" on the bottom which frees the spring load is literally a bent paper clip — and badly bent at that.
I’m not making this up.
Mine also arrived in Bender’s original box, well-packaged, and STILL had scratches on the plexiglass.
Absolutely unforgiveable for an item that sells for $60+ retail.
Try to find one of the older, well-made Crystal Caskets.
~Gary
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