Jim's Magic Effects Review - Mikame Sucker Block Box

The effect advertised by dealers:

Sucker Block Box, Wood MKE
Mikame Craft Products from Japan are Collectors Quality! This is one of Mikame's Supreme Collector Quality Effects! Begin by showing all 4 sides of the Block Box, then a solid yellow square block. Now put the solid block inside the empty Box, and close the top and front doors. The routine can go on and on! The Block is on the left! No on the right! You decide to help out the audience and open the doors.  This will be easy they think. Open just one door at a time for even more fun & jokes.  Upon opening all 4 doors, the Block has VANISHED! You can produce the vanished Block from a top hat or below the table. 

Extremely High Quality!  Supplied Complete! Fantastic Gimmick!

Price: US$155 / Available at: Most Good Magic Dealers / Video Demo: 

Likes:
a) Very well made and good quality prop. I love this!
b) The trick packs small but plays big! Suitable for both adults and kids. Very easy to do!

c) Allows for audience participation. Very visual and can be performed for a large audience.

d) You don’t have to switch the block like some other versions. Everything is self-contained.

Dislikes:
a) The “clicking” sound from the box is not loud enough when you tilt it to proof the block is sliding from one side to the other. But this is not a major concern.

Presentation experience:

a) This is one prop that I use most often. I like it very much. Personally, I think this is the best Block Box effect there is in the market! Nothing comes close.

b) I use it in all my training session. I use this trick to show my trainees that knowledge will disappear if we do not practise or use what we had learnt over time. This is usually done at the end of my class. The block signifies the “knowledge” they had acquired after the training session. The box is their “brain”. “Knowledge” goes into their “brain”. I will tell them that many of them will assume what they had learnt (knowledge) will remain in their “brain” for a long time. Is that so? I asked. I start to slide the box, opening a door at a time to proof that the “knowledge” is there but yet not there (this will usually bring in a lot of laughter).  And finally all doors are open and proof to them that the “knowledge” is really gone if they don’t use it! Very visual and they will remember the message!

c) Do be careful when you show the gimmick block to the audience. Especially when you take it out from the box. If you are not careful, the gimmick will be revealed. One more thing, try not to flash the side with the plastic sheet to the audience. They will wonder why that side is different from the rest. This is tricky if especially if you have light reflecting from it!

For who:
a) Parlour or even stage magicians. Beginners too!

b) Those who do not like big props

c) Magicians who like to include some participation in their routine.

d) Mikame’s fan club members! Ha Ha!

Not for...
a)  Those who feel $155 is way too expensive for the trick.

Ratings…

Price:  2 out of 5

Usability: 5 out of 5

Quality: 4 out of 5

Overall rating, I will give it a 5 out of 5. Highly Recommended!