The Blurb
The process of going from my working model to the final prototype took four years. Constant testing and fine-tuning have paid off. The LIghtning Box is no longer a pipe dream.
The Lightning Box has solved all of the problems and meet my goals.
1. The Lightning Box looks like a high quality jewelry box. I modeled after a cuff link box I purchased.
2. Users can very easily swap out the object inside the box. It takes about one minute. You can use any playing card, any type of paper currency from any country, you can use business cards or billets. Many other objects will certainly find there way into the Lightning Box for example sugar packets, small envelopes etc. It’s up to the user to decide. The best part is all objects are real objects. Spectators can see all three dimensions because the objects are full cards etc.
3. The LIghtning Box is a cylinder with a removable lid. It’s small enough to easily fit into your pocket. The CNC machining was designed to leave plenty of space so that you can add other objects that will fall out of the box to increase the illusion. The box is deep enough to easily contain .75″ casino dice, 4 half dollars, candy, mints etc. Any small objects can be used.
4. The material we used to construct the Lightning Box is Black ABS Plastic. The material works real well for this application. It’s tough and durable yet it’s very lightweight. No sagging pockets. The Lightning Box is manufactured by a very high end CNC machine shop on computer controlled lathes and milling machines. Each Lightning Box is exactly the same and built to exacting specifications.
5. You can show the Lightning Box empty at the beginning of the routine and empty again after the signed card is revealed.
6. The lid is held in place by a high impact “O” ring that is used for hydraulic applications. It holds the lid in place yet it’s easy for the spectators to remove. The Lightning Box comes with a backup that you can install in seconds if you ever wear it out.
7. The Lightning Box goes through airport security like butter. Professionals can easily take it on the plane with them.
8. Reset time is instantaneous. No trap doors to pry open or attempting to balance in an open position. The Lightning Box does the work for you.
The Lightning Box So what is come included with the Lightning Box?
First and most important is the Lightning Box. This box is gimmicked. The solution is diabolical yet extremely practical. It is built to last. The best way to think about the Lightning Box is as a utility prop. It’s super easy to use as the Lightning Box does most of the work for you.
Second is the training DVD. It’s packed with everything you need to know and more. The running time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. The DVD contains several killer routines and all of the inside work on every aspect of using the Lightning Box.
Third is a spare “O” ring.
Fourth is a special “secret something” that is extremely powerful and useful with the Lightning Box.
The Routines Included on the DVD are four performances.
The first routine is BLACK LIGHTNING. This routine is performed under test conditions. The Lightning Box is in full view BEFORE a card is selected and signed. The audience sees the face up signed selection until the very last second but the signed card appears instantly in the Lightning Box.
The second routine is WHITE LIGHTNING. This routine is totally practical, funny and stunning. There are two performances of this routine on the DVD to show you the variations that will help you fit the routine to your performance style.
To be crystal clear, these routines will show you the real work behind using the Lightning Box. It’s all there, the methods, the moments and full patter.
The BONUS ROUTINE is fast becoming one of my favorite routines to perform. It’s called INVISIBLE LIGHTNING. There’s no deck but under test conditions any named card is instantly in the box. The routine has amazing choreography that make it a joy to perform and easy to do. I will tell you a secret, this uses Cosmo Solano’s Q-The Quantum Connection as part of the method. If you order the Lightning Box you’ll definitely want to order the Q-Quantum Connection from us. It’s truly a great companion product.
The Training The DVD contains all of the work you’ll ever need to get the most out of the Lightning Box. Besides the 4 performances I go over each and every detail you need to completely understand the workings, the strategies, the moves and so much more.
Other Uses The Lightning Box is the perfect ending for just about any signed card routine. If you do Ambitious Card, Card to Pocket or your own pet routine you’ll soon discover that the Lightning Box is the best ending you’ve ever tried.
But the Lightning Box can go way beyond card routines. Since you can put a variety of objects inside you can easily adapt the Lightning Box to an incredible ending to any Signed Bill routine. You can just as easily make the Lightning Box into a dynamic mentalism piece using business cards or billets. I can’t wait to see all of the creations that certainly will be invented.
Final Thoughts The Lightning Box is destined to become a modern classic of magic. It has it all. It’s virtually angle proof, the box has a variety of uses, it’s durable and travels well on the airlines.
But the real crux is it’s power. The Lightning Box allows the performer to show the box empty both before and after the revelation in a very subtle way. This takes an already powerful effect several notches higher. The Lightning Box is a minor investment for a major payoff.
My Comments
This is indeed a very high quality utility gimmick and you would expect as much if the name Bob Kohler is the creator. If you would see it in action you'd see just how good this baby is. Bob Kohler has come up with some amazingly designed stuff and this is no except.
However, there are some very important considerations, namely the price and the necessity of this. One of the important features of this is to be able to show the box empty before and after. This is a wonderful feature for a magician and certainly worth it for that alone, but not so for a mentalist who doesn't need to prove or show the box empty. It's great for loading predictions or switching billets, though.
This is kind of like getting that expensive Add-A-Number pad. Sure, it works. It's nice. It delivers what it promises. It's elegant. But do you really need it? Well, you might. It's up to you.
I know. As a dealer, I should try to sell you this and I would very much like to. Again, this is a handsomely produced item that delivers what is promised. But I also want to make sure that this is something that you will truly use and not another expensive prop that will end up in your drawer with so many other unused items.
Now, I will also say that the Lightning Box doesn't really look like a high quality jewelry box to me, but then I'm not an expert on what high quality jewelry boxes look like. I thought most of them looked like mini-wooden drawer chests and this looks nothing like that. But maybe that's me and because I'm not into jewelry. Look at the picture and you decide.
At the time of this writing, I have not performed it, so my comments are definitely biased and perhaps a bit assumptive. And it may well be that I am making some assumptions that just aren't fair for this as these are simply impressions I'm getting from watching the video and examing the utility prop.
The Lightning Box comes in a small box (6.5"x6.5"x1.5"). The box itself is about 2.5" in diameter and 1.5" high. It's comes with an instructional DVD and a special office supply type item that helps make the effect work.
If you also do magic as well as mentalism, then I certainly recommend this as you'll be able to do some killer magic routines as well as mentalism ones. But if you simply perform mentalism, then you may want to carefully consider whether the price justifies your need for this elegantly made utility prop.