"Psychoportation" by Devin Knight
Suggested Retail USD$29.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Psychoportation" is Devin Knight at his best, an effect that is as astonishing as it is easy and, because of a carefully tuned presentation, knocks spectators' mental functions into the next state. Put another way, and more succinctly: you want this one.

The effect is simple to describe: a spectator's driver license, ID card, credit card, membership card, etc is borrowed teleports from one sealed envelope to another. But the details - oh, yeah, the details - make this one a masterpiece.

Ya see, the card - whatever it is - is sealed inside an envelope which is marked with the number "1". This envelope is then placed inside a larger window envelope where it is seen through the window. This envelope is then secured with a paper clip and, at last, this is placed inside a clear plastic bag and given to a spectator to hold.

Another envelope is then marked with the number "2" and shown to be empty. This envelope is placed inside another window envelope where it can be seen through the window. This envelope is clipped closed with a paper clip and left in full view of the audience.

Here come the cool parts:

The spectator holding the envelope marked "1" opens it. It is empty. It's also not gimmicked or gaffed; he can examine it all he wants. That card is gone.

The performer then directs attention to the envelope, in plain sight, labeled "2". This envelope is given to the spectator. They open the envelope and finds the card inside. Once again, the envelope is not gaffed or gimmicked: it's fully examinable.

And the performer has to calm people down, revive some of them, and flee the area lest said performer gets in trouble for making deals with the devil. Yes, this one really does look that fiendish.

But we're not done. In a rare occurrence, the ad copy sold me on this one. Knight is never one for playing the old "magic trick sales ad" game and, considering that, this was too good not to get: there is no palming (none, zero, zilch, period), there is nothing extra to ring in or out, and the method is so incredibly easy I came close to uttering the words "This will never work."

This is by Devin Knight, so I knew better. The first time I did it, I was pleasantly surprised at the reactions (which is my calm, controlled way of saying I screamed myself when the spectators screamed at the climax). A few more runs and I became convinced this is the real deal. This is a teleportation requiring so little work… well, it makes a double-lift seem strenuous (and no, there are no double-lifts used; that's just me striving to make a point).

Okay, I want to get back to playing with this one, so let's make some haste not so slowly, shall we?

First up, you're not limited to drivers licenses, credit cards, etc. Basically, anything pretty flat that will fit into the smaller manila pay-size envelopes will work. Photographs, a coin, trading cards, candy (yes, I made a small chocolate Santa go on a short trip)… all of these will work. Just bear in mind you're after something about the size and shape of a driver's license and you're good to go. Personally, I'd stick with something that has some meaning for the spectator, something beyond - oh, I don't know - playing cards (if you're thinking along those lines, Knight's "sibling trick" to this one, Inkportation, is what you really want to do but don't know it just yet).

Second, while there is nothing we'd typically consider a sleight, there is a delightfully sneaky thing that is done in full view and it will take some work to perform as gracefully as it requires. In other words, don't think of this as self-working; think of it as pseudo-self-working.

Third, depending on your own tastes in presentation, the gaffs will either last a very long time or be trashed in minutes. Knight covers this by providing great instructions on creating replacements, which is a very cheap and very easy. Normally, I hate gaffs I have to replace but in this case… well, a couple of minutes isn't that big a deal for the payoff "Psychoportation" delivers.

Fourth, this can be done close-up, platform, or stage. Considering having to carry the envelopes, I wouldn't do this as part of a standard strolling gig - just too much pocket space when you're talking carrying a hundred of these things along - but I would save it for just the right time, place, and people. Also, you might experience a twinge of fear of exposure if someone tries to examine a certain something, but don't; no one has even come close to wanting to examine that part of things, being too enthralled with the pieces they can examine.

Fifth, and I'm not going to hit this one too hard, teleportations almost always seem to play big ("card to wallet" ring any bells?), and tricks with something of personal value to a spectator play bigger than without. With "Psychoportation" combining those two elements so successfully, this is one that can make stop a show. Think in terms of closer quality here; you may have a hard time following it.

All in all, this is one I dearly love. Easy to do, powerful, and just flexible enough to keep coming back to it with yet another idea.

This is one I highly recommend for pretty much everyone. Yes, it's that good.

"Psychoportation" by Devin Knight
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
There's one part of this that can't be examined which may have an issue, but to be honest it certainly hasn't been for me. The set-up and reset may take a bit, depending on a few factors (such as if you seal the envelopes or not), but all in all, this is a very practical piece of work.

Workmanship: 10
The supplied gaffs are carefully crafted and make beautiful templates for making your own (which you'll need to do eventually).

Documentation: 10
Knight excels here as always, going into great detail on everything from the presentation to crafting more gaffs. You'll have no problem mastering his material.

Effect: 10
I hesitate to use this phrase, but this one warrants the departure from the norm: this thing kills!

Presentation: 10
Knight is usually a devious, cunning, creator. Here he's spectacularly so. With a boatload of spectator involvement, a method that is incredibly open, and a handling that seems to be so very hands-off, this packs one heavy wallop.

Shane

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