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Review by reis for Magic Puzzle - Tabletop Version ZZM - Louie Gaynor
This is difficult to review because there are aspects that are 5 star and aspects that are less than 3 star. I’ll start and end with the five star parts and sandwich the criticism in the middle.
This comes in a beautiful case. The workmanship and the finish on the case is gorgeous. If it was the case that I was interested in (I don’t use the case in my performance), then this would easily be a five star review.
I just wish that the same attention to detail and finishing was paid to the puzzle pieces themselves. The rough saw cuts are visible on the sides of the puzzle pieces. One of the pieces had a splinter which broke off. From a performing distance these aren’t big deals, but I expected a much more finished set of puzzle pieces. I am disappointed in the quality of workmanship of the puzzle pieces – it’s as if the case and the puzzle pieces were made by two separate entities.
The frame is looser than I expected. Having too much play between the sides of the puzzle and the frame somewhat diminishes the effect of adding the extra pieces and everything still fitting in the frame.
The printed instructions were for a different version of this puzzle (the one with the drawer), and the video instructions for the parlor/stage version. It’s easy enough to adapt, but I expected printed and video instructions to match the product I purchased.
It would have been nice to also include some double-sided tape or wax with the puzzle.
Back to the good stuff. I sent a question to Stevens Magic and they recorded a new video specific to this version of the puzzle. They also sent an email tip about using double sided tape which was helpful and appreciated, but should have been in the printed instructions.
In summary – the case is beautiful but the puzzle isn’t finished nearly as well as the case; the frame isn’t tight enough; the original instructions (printed and video) were for a different version, but Steven’s Magic had great customer support.
Lastly – I was only interested in the puzzle pieces and frame – not the case. It would be great to offer a version of this that is only the puzzle pieces and frame with a high level of workmanship.
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