Collard 2

I have both the old and new the new version. This is one upgraded version you won't be disappointed in. The best improvement is the reset time. Reset now takes about 10 seconds and you can technically do two shows in a row without need for reset. I liked the look of the collar on the old version better but the new one has several improvements to it too that give it the advantage over the old version. I know why they changed the look as it opens it up to many more routines, not just with a dog. The new one could even be used for completely different routines like the classic Room Service effect. That being said you can use the other new upgrades to the routine and method but still use the old collar if that's your preference. I highly recommend this for anyone who had the old effect and is on the fence about the upgrade.

I really like this! It's a great comedy routine that will take up time in your show!

If you want to watch an in-depth review, you can watch the one I posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK3_7WlbgIE

Hope this helps!

The trick is high quality and works super good. The secret is amazing and i have fooled all in my family and going to perform this on a show.

PS. you need to buy a collar and a stuffed animal.

I have a weekly show where I do 10-15 min parlor sets several times a night. I don't have much time in between shows, sometimes under 5 mins. I used this is my act for the first time tonight, and it absolutely killed. All night long. The reset is less than 2 mins, and you give out a really fun memento after each performance. This is a very practical worker.

Collard2 is an outstanding product. It is John Archer's update of the classic Koran Medallion trick, which has certainly stood the test of time as a mentalism classic. This version provides you with high quality, professional grade props as well as clearly explained and thorough video instructions. While the necessary "work;" the sleights, secret actions and routine, are relatively easy, I don't feel this is a routine that a pro is going to put straight into his or her act. It is very much a personality based routine and trying to copy John Archer's personality is not going to get most of us anywhere. This is a trick that should be learned as taught, then worked on and polished for your colleagues and friends to customize the presentation to your personality. Then you can take it in front of an audience and start to test out new laugh lines, eliminate lines that don't work for you, and really tighten it up. Any magician willing to put the time into this will be rewarded with a piece that will become a cornerstone of their act for years to come.

i real liked this trick

I am delighted with this product. The cute trick will not suit every magician but as someone who performs mainly to audiences consisting of families, this is ideal. You can achieve some good audience participation and the animal theme is always popular with younger members of the audience. The method is foolproof and the effect is very baffling. A spectator freely choses a name for the dog and this is written on his naming day certificate and the spectator reads out the completed form. Immediately, you pick up the dog and the chosen name is found to be written on the tag on his collar. To get the maximum impact, you need to work on your patter. There is plenty of potential for humour but I don't recommend mimicking John Archer's humour. He's a 'one off.' It is better to find your own style and patter, but John's full performance on YouTube might give you some good ideas. You will need to source a toy dog. (I personally wouldn't recommend using real one, though that would certainly be possible.) I use a gorgeous Folkmanis sheepdog puppet that I already owned (and use as part of a sponge ball routine.) All I had to do was buy a dog collar. I managed to pick up a nice, blue leather one on Amazon very cheaply (for about £5. I think it was cheap because blue is an unpopular colour - but the sheepdog doesn't mind. The biggest challenge was finding a collar the right size but some toy dogs I've seen on eBay come with a collar.) Any toy dog will do. (You could use a teddy, but why would a teddy wear a collar and tag?) There are plenty of really nice ones available but I discovered that the ones that are the right size are not as cheap as some reviewers of Collard 2 suggested. If you do not have a toy dog, you might need to invest £20 to get just the right one. You don't HAVE to give it away to the child whose birthday part you are performing at - but if you are rich or paid handsomely for your show, that would be nice too and it would be cheaper than giving away a Rubik's cube in a glass jar! The video tutorial is of high quality. Everything is explained clearly and methodically including the small amount of sleight of hand that is required. I think that the method taught works really well. The props come in a very smart, hardshell box. A velvet bag is supplied to carry the props in. The props are very well made. There is a small part that needs to be replaced each time you perform. You get a good number of these and they can be bought cheaply on Amazon since the little piece is a standard stationery item. The clip board is gimmicked. It is beautifully made, sturdy and effective. It is about A5 paper size, but a little wider than A5. (Incidentally, the clipboard could be used for other tricks. I made an extra gimmick and use the board as a forcing tool for mentalism effects.) You are supplied with two pens, one of them is not what it seems. I hope that replacements can be purchased when this runs out, but I haven't researched that yet. The special tag that you fit to your dog's collar is extremely well designed and manufactured. You get a batch of pre-printed certificates and a pdf to print as many extras as you need - so you are good to go! Depending on your presentation, you could design your own certificate and customise the wording. I think that Collard 2 works best in a parlour or small stage setting. Considering the quality of the props and the workability of the routine, this is being offered at a very fair price. Highly recommended.

It’s was a lovely show, the explanation was easy to follow and easy to understand the process is easy, recommended.

John Archer is a Master entertainer. A great magician too, but above all, an artist, who makes the audience feel joy, not just at the moment of the effect actually taking place, but from beginning to end of each effect or routine he performs.

This lovely effect is no exception. Collard 2 is a great piece of magic, and a great piece of entertainment.
About the material, is top notch, and everything is explained clearly and thoroughly in the videos.

But, since I'm a professional performer, and I know the value of a great performance, what I most value in this package is his work with the audience, his energy, his flow, his charm.

I have already changed some key things in my own version of this effect, which I believe have improved the looks and the magic effect, which now is even more impossible, and better looking for the theatre audiences I work for.

I believe it will become one of the hits in my show. I'm dying of anxiety to premiere it, in a few days.

I bought 2, to have a back up unit. I believe I will buy 2 more very soon, so I never have to worry to replace a missing or broken part of the material needed.

Fantastic routine and effect. Very simple and very effective. The moves are not difficult and they give you just about everything you would need. The only downside (minor) is that Archer mentions a performance which is not included in the provided materials. I do if for adult shows and kid shows alike.

I do not have the first Collard but when I saw this on the Vanishing Inc. site on one of their sale items. I was not interested in the first Collard because I thought that it was more suited for children. I do shows for children, family and adult shows and I was looking at the time time to purchase something for my adult routines. I took a look at the video of the performance when Collard 2 came out and had seen how it played to an all adult audience. I then thought, with the on sale price to top it off I needed this routine. I have used it a few times with great reactions. If you can palm which is the only slight you can do this routine. If you want something that is easy to do but plays big with a mentalism twist this product will serve you well.

I think it is a great adaption of the gold madellion principle. I've performed the gold madellion and wasn't satisfied with the ending. I think I'll try Collard 2 in my show, but modify the story line to be more in line with my style. I've always had good response to the effects I've purchased from John Archer.

Bought this on sale and glad I did. $50 seems a bit pricey for what you get? However, it’s quite clever and a fresh take on the old Koran effect. Will get you a solid 10-12 minutes. Would recommend for sure.

Such a great routine with so little really happening. Kudos to John Archer for tipping this and bringing Koran's Gold Medallion effect into the modern & comedic future.

Consider this a great stand-up routine with the added benefit of a possible giveaway for the audience volunteer. Patter needs a little tweaking in the modern #MeToo sensitivities (who performs instructional patter verbatim?) but a worker for sure.

I do not have the first version, but I do own the trick with the hotel key. I still bought this with anticipation, and am very pleased. You get lots of cool extras, which are always pleasant, like perfect stickers which make clean up so much easier, even though they are a bit difficult to peel off, but better this way than the opposite. There is a case to hold the whole thing. Even though the video gets into constructing your own pen, it still comes with the pre-gimmicked set. Also, the name easily detaches when you need to reset it, and you do not need any tools to do so.
I used it on a stuffed camel, just for fun, and the possibilities are endless. I am trying to think about how to use it ion a newborn baby, and I think it might also be feasible. Obviously, only at a venue where there are mothers with little babies.
It is all so smooth and easy to do, so you can focus on all the fun stuff and presentation, like the business with the name choosing and ceremony.
There was talk on the video of more than one type of certificate being included, at least as a PDF, and I did not get this, but it still is perfectly functional with the one it came with.
You will have lots of fun with this trick.

I love this effect. Great video tutorials. Unfortunately, I am not John Archer, so I used some of his jokes and they fell a little flat. Serves me right. I've watched John's performance video 5 or six times, just because I enjoy it so much. John is the best. I found the perfect dog and the perfect collar. That was fun. It's almost as big a commitment as getting a real dog, because he's on my couch now all the time. The routine is perfect and the handling is very subtle and 100% reliable. Gimmick well made, and you are generously provided with high quality props and everything you need. I performed it at my local S.A.M. dinner and they loved it. Plenty of applause- and it fooled them. Performed it my I.B.M. club dinner and also a hit. Refining my own personal backstory about the dog, so that is the creative work needed. The great thing about this trick is that it plays so well for all age groups, adults, families and kids shows. So well worth it for me and I think a great value. Excellent tutorials with all the finer points of handling. Pay attention to John's tips about right hand and left hand, which way to face. Makes it so easy. Guaranteed applause getter in several spots.

Excellent ideas from Archer and Levent in their different styles. Gives a great idea of how to customize the routine for the individual performer.

Excellent work from John

Great

This is such an easy and fun effect to perform. It mesmerizes your audience. Worth every penny. Get it!!!!

Glad we bought a back-up!! Cannot have enough spares when it comes to John’s material… BRILLIANT!!

This is such a cute and wonderful trick for audiences of all ages. You can't go wrong with this trick and the reactions. It's wholesome and perfect for any show. Play it up big and comedic, or sincere and loving.