"Blunt" booklet by David Kemsley
Suggested Retail USD$19.99
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

"Blunt", a booklet by David Kemsley, is a neat idea using an ancient method usually reserved for the stage, that looks phenomenal... providing all the planets line up properly and you can ever actually perform it.

The effect is actually quite neat. The performer shows a blunt pencil, that is, one that hasn't been sharpened. The performer places the pencil in his hand (which now doubles as a sort of "pencil sharpener" and, with the hands shown empty, the pencil becomes sharpened to a point. The sharp pencil is then stabbed into the back of the hand and removed, still sharp, but with no damage to the hand. The pencil is given a shake and instantly the point is gone, leaving only a blunt pencil.

Now, I have to say, I love that effect. It's a quick, clean thing, the sort of thing that makes jaws drop in astonishment. But the workings -- oh, boy, the workings -- will have you looking high and low for opportunities to perform it. The ads say "You can use it in trade shows, street magic, or kids shows", but unless very specific conditions are met, you couldn't perform this one in the comfort of your own living room.

That's not a knock on Kemsley's work here; it's a fine effect idea and a respectable method. The method he chose to accomplish this little miracle, though, is as old as the hills and usually reserved for the stage -- for a reason. On stage, the performing environment is much more controllable than in close-up venues; things that would get in the way of the effect can be altered here and there or worked around. Close-up? Well, it's very much "catch as catch can" when it comes to the surroundings: you make do with what you've got.

So, here's a short list of what you have to deal with: lighting, angles, clothing, examination. If the lighting is not placed exactly so, if the pencil is in direct light, then you're going to get busted with this one. If the angles aren't watched and watched closely -- left, right and above -- then you're going to get busted again. If you aren't wearing clothing of the required color (and, arguably, texture), you can't perform this at all. And when you're done, you have an examination problem to take care of because folks will want to see the only piece of this they see throughout and they can't and you'll have to deal with it.

But if the lighting is where it needs to be and the people are where they need to be and you've got the clothes and the audience management problems dealt with, you've got a pretty effect that looks gorgeous and will knock folks for a loop.

Because of the limitations, this is a hard one to recommend. Price becomes an issue as well, since for the money you get an eight-page booklet and you'll need to spend some time making this one up from those instructions -- the price seems a bit steep in light of that.

Still, the booklet is fairly well done (the loads of pictures are a great help), the idea is a good one and the effect is solid.

I'm waffling and I know it. The simple truth of the matter is this: if you can deal with the limitations, if you don't mind paying the money for something you'll likely perform once in a blue moon but, when you do, you'll drop jaws, then "Blunt" is worth it for you. If the limitations are a problem, if you don't want to shell out twenty bucks on something you won't perform regularly, then pass this one by.

"Blunt" booklet by David Kemsley
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

Material: 2
The idea is a good one, but the method is loaded with restrictions. Lighting, angles, clothing... you've got to be prepared and definitely in the right place at the right time with this one. Overall, it's something that's neat to read and play around with, but practically something you'll perform rarely.

Quality: 5
Kemsley's instructions are fine. You'll have no problem learning how to do this one. It would have been nice to see a bit more detail here and there, but the lack of it won't hinder you when it comes to getting this one down.

Illustrations: 8
Illustrations, in the form of black-and-white photos, are plentiful, placed well, and with a great size. Some are a bit washed out, but otherwise they contribute greatly to making this one up and performing it.

Presentation: 8
The visuals are great here, and that's what it's all about. One part of the routine seems a bit tacked on, but otherwise this is a quick, startling visual piece of work.

Shane