Quimera Box
Trick by Hernan Maccagno
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“On Fool Us he fooled everyone! But he had already been fooling me for years with this wonder. Great Hernán! Great Quimera” Dani DaOrtiz
Hernán Maccagno recently fooled the heck out of Penn and Teller with this beautiful coin routine. You can see the delight in their faces as they are fooled, and then fooled again when they are permitted to examine everything!
At its essence, this is a Coins Across routine, but it's so much more than that. Using a clever variation of a Okito Box created by Al Baker and Nate Liepzig called "The Al 'N' Nate Box", Hernán has created a deeply-fooling, entertaining, and visual piece of magic you will love performing.
The set includes:
- Quimera Box and one gimmicked coin made by Tango Magic
- 3 adhesive papers in different color to customizer the gimmick
- 4 regular half dollar coins
- Tutorial in English and Spanish
“Hernán always manages to reach that something else that makes him special. From a box to a coin act to a work of art” Miguel Angel Gea
“Simple and powerful! Perfectly timed, it flows from hook to climax - a beautifully crafted, brilliant routine. Bravo, Hernán!” Shimpei Katsuragawa
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Customer reviews for Quimera Box
Paul
Quite possibly my new favorite coins across routine. The build quality of the Al 'N' Nate Box is excellent and I appreciate that 4 half dollars are included. If you're just starting out exploring coin magic, you'll need to learn some basic/intermediate moves that are noted but not described in detail in the instructions.
There are a few downsides worth noting, first is that the tutorial isn't able to be downloaded and finding the tutorial was somewhat confusing, there are two QR codes and a URL with a passcode on the box, but confusingly the QR on the front of the box and the URL and passcode don't bring you to the tutorial, but the QR on the inside of the box does.
The tutorial itself covers everything you need to know for the routine, but doesn't go into great detail or utilize additional camera angles.
The main issue I've encountered is that there is an extra item included for the routine, the item itself is excellent quality, but there are some arts and crafts one will need to do to customize it, the papers needed for this are also included. However, there are no instructions on how to customize the item, and you have to customize it in order to use it. One can deduce how to put it together but it seems like a bit of an oversight.
Perhaps those instructions are hiding somewhere and I wasn't able to find it, but felt it was worth noting.
Overall I'm quite please with this release.
There are a few downsides worth noting, first is that the tutorial isn't able to be downloaded and finding the tutorial was somewhat confusing, there are two QR codes and a URL with a passcode on the box, but confusingly the QR on the front of the box and the URL and passcode don't bring you to the tutorial, but the QR on the inside of the box does.
The tutorial itself covers everything you need to know for the routine, but doesn't go into great detail or utilize additional camera angles.
The main issue I've encountered is that there is an extra item included for the routine, the item itself is excellent quality, but there are some arts and crafts one will need to do to customize it, the papers needed for this are also included. However, there are no instructions on how to customize the item, and you have to customize it in order to use it. One can deduce how to put it together but it seems like a bit of an oversight.
Perhaps those instructions are hiding somewhere and I wasn't able to find it, but felt it was worth noting.
Overall I'm quite please with this release.
Todd
I would say it's perfect close up trick itself. The method I knew going in. With that said quality of props were great except the carry net case. Tbh it cheapened the over all product. The instructional video was fine nothing amazing. An experienced magician will work out their own handling and maybe use one or two things from the video. I bought two of them, one for practice and one for shows. This is definitely a keeper overall I just wish for the price it came with a better carrying situation then the thin net type bad.
Gerhard
The props are made pretty well. You receive 3 colors for the gimmick but my red and green was folded which puts a crease in it. Not a crisis for me as I would use the black one. The tutorial is a bit hard to unravel. Its a bit fast paced and you have to watch it a few times. The box itself is stunning. Overall this is quite nice. It's a very clever routine.
I can recommend it.
I can recommend it.
Alan
I honestly purchased this because I wanted to know how Hernan Maccagno performed the routine he did on Fool Us. But it didn’t stop there. This wonderful prop opens a ton of doors for coin magic. It may very well be the perfect prop for coins. Combined with the other “stuff” this will truly bamboozle your audience. This little gem is only limited by your creativity. Get it and have fun.
Masterclassmember
Joseph
Revising my review AFTER I got the tutorial to work. The box is beautifully made, and what a nice touch to include the half dollars, which ARE real.
That said, the tutorial is presented at a breakneck pace, so be sure to watch it at least five times. The subtitles are serviceable, but it seems as though they used auto-generate, so there are some idiosyncrasies here.The basic routine is very easy but, to do the full routine as presented on Fool Us will require some decent chops.
This box actually goes way back and can serve as a wonderful gateway to other routines.
An easier to access tutorial, better subtitles, and a slower pace would make this an absolute gem. All of that said, it is a good routine that invites experimentation.
That said, the tutorial is presented at a breakneck pace, so be sure to watch it at least five times. The subtitles are serviceable, but it seems as though they used auto-generate, so there are some idiosyncrasies here.The basic routine is very easy but, to do the full routine as presented on Fool Us will require some decent chops.
This box actually goes way back and can serve as a wonderful gateway to other routines.
An easier to access tutorial, better subtitles, and a slower pace would make this an absolute gem. All of that said, it is a good routine that invites experimentation.
Terry
Probably like a lot of people, I bought this after seeing Hernan Maccagno perform this on Fool Us. For your money, you get a few key props and a gimmick.
In terms of other reviewers’ comments, it’s true that the instructions are not easy to follow. The website is an instruction video (that you navigate to via a QR code) but the website, while functional, is not nearly as intuitive to use like YouTube or other video course content. That is, the click-ability does things you don’t expect (like exit Full Screen and make it hard to get back in), and you will have to watch the video multiple times in order to grok the content.
But that’s fine, it’s functional, and you’re there to learn the material.
In terms of the level of sleight-of-hand required, it’s somewhere between Intermediate and Advanced (maybe a 3.5 - 4 on scale of 1 [easy] to 5 [expert/advanced]), though not every sleight is difficult (some of it is easy). However, if you have a decent knowledge of coin magic you can probably simplify a few moves with some false transfers, simpler palms, and easier loads. You will need to apply your own creativity if you want to make the effect a little easier (the instructions contain what’s shown on Fool Us, plus a little more).
All in all, a great trick but you will have to work a little bit to take full advantage.
In terms of other reviewers’ comments, it’s true that the instructions are not easy to follow. The website is an instruction video (that you navigate to via a QR code) but the website, while functional, is not nearly as intuitive to use like YouTube or other video course content. That is, the click-ability does things you don’t expect (like exit Full Screen and make it hard to get back in), and you will have to watch the video multiple times in order to grok the content.
But that’s fine, it’s functional, and you’re there to learn the material.
In terms of the level of sleight-of-hand required, it’s somewhere between Intermediate and Advanced (maybe a 3.5 - 4 on scale of 1 [easy] to 5 [expert/advanced]), though not every sleight is difficult (some of it is easy). However, if you have a decent knowledge of coin magic you can probably simplify a few moves with some false transfers, simpler palms, and easier loads. You will need to apply your own creativity if you want to make the effect a little easier (the instructions contain what’s shown on Fool Us, plus a little more).
All in all, a great trick but you will have to work a little bit to take full advantage.
Community questions about Quimera Box
Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.
Steven Collins asks: I have a purple mat. Will this be an issue?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Please email us at wizards@vanishingincmagic.com
Richard asks: Do you need a mat to do this trick?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:You do not need a mat but it will hwlp with picking up the coins
Scott asks: The product description indicates various colored stickers. Must your close up mat match one of those colors?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Please email us at wizards@vanishingincmagic.com to discuss this
Will asks: What the sleight of hand level of this gimmick
- 1. Robert responds:You must have an expert level to achieve the results shown.
- 2. Ray responds:Expert level? I disagree. Intermediate is closer probably.
- 3. Joseph responds:So, the basic routine is VERY easy and quite beginner friendly. I think however that if you wish to perform this as seen on Fool Us, you will be encountering a few advanced moves. In fact, there is one that could be the definition of "palms of steel." A pivotal move in the longer routine requires confidence and excellent audience management. All of that said, this prop begs for the performer to experiment as its applications are mind-blowing.
- 4. Adam responds:To Scott you do need a Matt to perform the main routine, how ever there is a way of doing it with out the Matt, I love this effect so much, if you want to talk more about this effect I’m. Happy for you to email me on adamagicman@aol.com
4 questions
