It’s going to be hard to avoid the deliberate pun in the name of this effect, so let’s get it out of the way – this really is fobulous! Fobulous is a very clean, in the spectator’s hands (or yours if you prefer) transposition of two key fobs. That’s the effect in a nutshell. And I like it. But you probably wat a bit more than that…

What do you get

steve shufton - fobulous - reviewFobulous is nicely presented in a small cardboard box. It comes with the good quality leather keyrings, the necessary gimmick and (hurrah) some printed instructions. Without wanting to rehearse old arguments, I love receiving printed instructions. And on this occasion it enabled to learn the effect and review it while away on a conference with limited internet access.

The booklet is well written in a slightly quirky style and photographically illustrated throughout. I found the instructions easy to follow and had no problem picking the routine up. As mentioned above, there are two variations explained – one where the magic occurs in the spectator’s hands and one in your own. The first is clearly going to have more impact, but the second is useful in contexts where you might prefer a bit more control.

There are no especially difficult moves here – but like many of these things a few ‘knacks’ to develop. On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is very difficult and 1 is self-working) I would say this is about a 3. If you like the idea of doing a copper/silver routine with coins but find the sleights complicated, this is much easier – yet still with everyday and innocent looking props.

The routine has been very cleverly put together so that what you read in the advert is absolutely accurate – the fobs can be examined before and after the effect and the spectator will find nothing!

Is it Fobulous?

I think this is a super little routine. Perhaps the only downside is that it is so direct and snappy – so you will need a decent presentation to make it really engaging. Reset is pretty much instant so no problems there. Very little pocket space. This is one of the best close up releases we’ve seen for a while that doesn’t include playing cards.

At £49.99 this feels just a little bit steep for what you receive – but for the strength of the effect I would say it was well worth a punt.

Available from Merchant of Magic or your favourite Murphy’s Dealer.

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

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