Arturo de Ascanio y Navaz (1926-1997) is often hailed as the godfather of Spanish card magic. A lawyer by day and a magician by night, he poured his heart into magic and co-founded the esteemed Escuela Mágica de Madrid.
His first volume, The Structural Conception of Magic, dives into his theoretical musings. The subsequent volumes, Studies of Card Magic and More Studies of Card Magic, showcase his card wizardry, while the fourth volume, Knives and Color-Blindness, takes a deep dive into the world of pocket knives.
Now, let’s not beat around the bush: Knives and Color-Blindness isn’t just a collection of moves and routines. It’s a philosophical masterpiece (yes, you read that right) that cherishes detail, naturalness, and the psychology behind the tricks as much as the sleight of hand itself. Ascanio’s insightful exploration of the psychology behind the "Paddle Move" and “colour change” with knives is an essential read for anyone keen on mastering the art of colour-changing knives. This man has two rarities that rarely coexist: he writes with crystal clarity and performs sleight-of-hand with finesse. You’ll soon realise that Ascanio knows his stuff and writes like a true pro.
