Trick Review: Compression by Daniel Lachman

You show a common, everyday Bic Pen, and in less than a second, it's smashed down into half its normal length. You then pass the mini-pen for everyone to see. It's entirely normal, that is, if Bic were selling pens that were half their normal length.

Daniel Lachman is definitely onto something here with a fast and visual effect that is practical to perform just about anywhere.

The routine takes less than fifteen seconds. As the ads state, the trick is easy to perform, can be done while surrounded, and there are no switches or sleeving. The ads also state that you end-up clean, but this is, however, after you do your clean-up, which isn’t difficult.

The compressed pen writes and is completely examinable, and can be given away to a spectator as a souvenir. The effect quickly resets. Place it back into your pocket and you’re good to go, again.

The trick requires a gimmick that takes a bit of effort to make but only requires common household tools. Lachman says that you can make one in under 15-minutes the first time, and he often makes them in less than a few minutes.

Of note, Lachman does a great job of teaching the effect, showing how to make the gimmick and offering variations and teaching subtleties. Unlike lots of magicians who quickly gloss over the basics in their DVD footage - they seem more interested in collecting money than teaching an effect - Lachman goes into lots of detail. It’s appreciated.

The performance segments show Lachman performing his effect on the street where it’s a natural. Compression is fast and visual and you may just find something to like in this effect.

Write on.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $25

Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.