Magic, that ancient art form, comes in all shapes and sizes. From the dainty close-up tricks to the grandiose stage acts, each has its own spellbinding allure. Close-up magic is where the real magic happens, using everyday items like playing cards, coins, and even Rubik's Cubes to conjure wonders that leave audiences slack-jawed.
Coin magic, in particular, has a reputation for being visually stunning, but many folks think it’s a bit like learning to juggle flaming swords—too difficult and a tad out of reach. People often reckon coin magic is limited and that the performance routines are a bit stale. Enter the world of coin magic props, which have swooped in to save the day and make things far less daunting for magicians.
As the saying goes, "Sharp tools make good work." In coin magic, these props are your "sharp tools." From J.N Hofzinser's Coin Shell in 1847 to the Flipper Coin by Eddy Taytelbaum and Flip Postma, these inventions have become the go-to gadgets for coin wizards.
With a plethora of "tools" at their disposal, magicians have started chasing visually striking coin effects, like coins morphing into rings. Yet, the slow penetration effect still reigns supreme in the "mind-blowing" category. When an object seems to merge and penetrate another, it turns the laws of physics on their head, leaving spectators scratching their heads for years to come. Luciano Chun, the brains behind Raphael Gaffs, has created a visual coin effect that’s so impressive that even Tobias Dostal, the creative magic god, and Rubi, the Spanish coin maestro, have proclaimed: "This is the f***ing coolest coin magic they've ever seen."
Right, let’s cut to the chase! About five years ago, inspired by the works of Joel Givens, Luciano Chun shared a clip of the Kungfu Coin on Instagram, and it went viral faster than a cat video.
However, Luciano felt it wasn’t quite ready for prime time; it needed a bit of polishing—something was amiss, and it lacked the wow factor. He knew it required some serious fine-tuning to make it shine.
After five years of tinkering, Luciano scrutinised every aspect of a coin:
- Coin compatibility
- Impromptu performance without any external props
- Showing both sides before the trick
- Adjusting the coin’s thickness
- Handling the upper and lower supports seamlessly
- Ultra-tight fitting treatment
- Perfecting the position and size of wire cutting.
And voilà, he emerged with a version that’s just right!
Now, here’s what you really want to know about the Kungfu Coin:
- Impromptu performance: Unlike other products that require a cigarette or a marker to pull off the trick (which just screams "look over here, nothing to see!"), with the Kungfu Coin, you only need a finger to pass through. No awkward props needed.
- Showing both sides: Traditional finger-through-coin tricks often keep the back of the coin hidden (because secrets). But with the Kungfu Coin’s split-type secret device, you can boldly flaunt both sides. You could even let the audience take the coin after the finger has done its thing.
- Thickness change & ultra-tight fitting: You might be wondering about the split-type structure—will it make the coin look odd? Fear not! Luciano’s innovative design keeps the thickness the same as a regular coin, with surfaces that are as smooth as a well-practised card shark’s patter.
- Rationalising the position and size of wire cutting: This bit is the tricky part. After countless experiments, Luciano found that the half-dollar coin delivers the best results, thanks to its perfect size and position.
Positioning tips: Grab a half-dollar coin and take a gander. The sweet spot is around the centre of the laser lines on the back (the eagle side). This means you won’t have to fuss about positioning it—no magnets needed, which eliminates any pesky magnetic noises when you restore the coin. Plus, under the right lighting, the lines will distract enough to keep the audience guessing.
Size considerations: The hole size is designed for most fingers to slide right through without any drama. This means you can perform anywhere without the limitations of other tricks that rely on props. If the hole is too small, things get stuck; too big, and it looks like a bad magic show.
- Handling upper and lower supports: In traditional methods, magicians have to juggle two coins in their hands like it’s a circus act. With the Kungfu Coin, you simply whip it out, show it off, and let the magic happen. When it’s time to hand over the coin, a quick change of support gets the job done smoothly. This streamlined process means less faffing about and a more natural performance.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- Kungfu Coin x1
- Online Tutorial
