The concept is solid and the method is viable, but the execution is rather pedestrian. This is actually a "sandwich" effect with the addition of a spectator's key ring.
Sandwich on a Ring
You bring out a deck of cards and a spectator picks and signs one. There are no switches in this effect, the actual card will end up on the spectator's key ring. You bring out a couple of jokers and return the card to the deck. You borrow a set of keys from the spectator and thread the jokers onto the key ring.The jokers, while attached to the key ring, are inserted part way into the deck. When the cards are removed, the selected card is found between the jokers and linked to the key ring. You can immediately give the selected and signed card away as a souvenir.
The method is workable under a wide variety of conditions and not particularly difficult. There's some minor preparation to the cards that you'll have to do ahead of time and you'll be destroying the two jokers (you can actually use any cards that you wish) and giving the selected card away at the end of each performance.
Key Negatives
There are two aspects of this effect, as it stands, that I didn't care for. First, it takes some time to put the jokers onto the key ring. At this point, the routine grinds to a halt. And Johnson doesn't offer any tips to maintain pacing. Nor does he seem to even try to as shown during his performance segments.The slowdown can be resolved if you work with a quick-release style key ring. However, I realize that the strength of the end effect relies on the fact that it takes time to thread a card or key onto a key ring.
The second negative aspect is that spectators will be reluctant to lend you their keys. If you’re performing for friends and family, this won’t be a problem. But when performing for strangers, you'll probably have a difficult time getting someone to lend keys. I know that I wouldn't want to ask spectators to do this.
I think many spectators are aware of techniques to copy keys using impressions. This aspect can be resolved by providing your own standard key ring, which isn’t as strong. In the performance video with real spectators, Johnson encounters problems borrowing a spectator's keys, and I think that this is a real issue.
SCOnK offers one more way to reproduce a signed card in an impossible location. The concept is good, but consider my warnings before purchasing this DVD.
MSRP: (US) $24.95
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Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
