The Intricate Web of Distraction
Magic Magazine:
"The Color-Changing Knives has long been a favorite trick for the close-up magician. The props are familiar to an audience, and can be conveniently carried in a pocket. However, there is a weakness in most Color-Changing Knives routines. As Whit Haydn states, 'When you make the knives change color, the audience immediately wants to re-examine them. They suspect that there must be something tricky about those knives. In order to evade the inevitable, 'Let me see that knife!' a routine must be carefully constructed to develop either enough momentum, or enough distraction, or both, so that the spectators do not have time to make or even think of such an annoying and logical request.'
"Whit Haydn developed his knife routine titled, The Intricate Web of Distraction, in the late 1970's. He has performed it hundreds of times in every possible performance venue, from the trade show floor to the Close-up Gallery of the Magic Castle. The routine was originally released to the magic community in 1989, It has now been revised and updated.
"Whit's routine is simple and direct. A white knife is removed from the left pants pocket. The spectators examine it. The knife vanishes and reappears in the pocket. The magician now claims that he can make the knife vanish from his right hand under impossible conditions. This he does by creating an Intricate Web of Distraction. The knife changes from white to black. The white knife appears in the left hand. The knives change places several times. Finally, the magician does as promised and the white knife vanishes from the right hand.
"Whit offers this routine in two formats: manuscript form ($10 plus $5 p&h) or video format ($30 plus $5 p&h). In either case you'll get the complete details, including all the patter and an analysis of the psychology involved. whit also sells a set of three knives made byJoe Mogar ($75 plus $5 p&h). The knives are well made and handle beautifully.
"I like this routine because it is simple to follow, is practical under a variety of conditions, and needs no reset time. It has been honed under fire for more than 20 years. If you are looking for a Color-Changing Knife routine, The Intricate Web of Distraction certainly fits the bill and is worth your serious consideration. Recommended."
--Michael Close, The Marketplace, MAGIC Magazine, July 2001
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GENII:
"The Intricate Web of Distraction is a showpiece...The routine is wonderful for a formal close-up situation. The title refers to a fictitious technique magicians use to misdirect their audience, which allows them to switch a black knife for a white knife or, in the end, make a knife vanish completely.
"Mr. Haydn has obviously spent a lot of time thinking about knife routines. He discusses subtleties in his written and video instructions that that are invaluable for the working pro and will be of great interest to hobbyists--especially knife-lovers. But most importantly, he addresses the plot of a knife routine, its inherent problems, and his solution. His video and written instructions break down the Paddle Move and two variations in great detail.The Flip, a Paddle Move done on the fingertips without moving the wrists, was new to me and most deceptive. For knife workers, this move alone is worth the price of the instruction booklet. Furthermore, he has a kicker-ending--a visible transposition that really catches the audience off-guard. The timing of this move is superb and worth the price of the booklet. The power of it wasn't evident if the written instructions, but after seeing the video, I urge you to explore this finale idea...
"Bottom line: If you are looking for a set of terrific black and white color changing knives that look like you bought them at a fine hunting and fishing store (without the novel red/yellow colors), these are the best I've seen in a long, long time. Even if you have a knife routine you're happy with, you'll enjoy reading the instructions. The video is a great learning tool for those of you who are just beginning to master knife moves or for those of you who have seen Mr. Haydn perform and want to learn the nuances of The Intricate Web of Distraction."
--Danny Orleans,
Light From the Lamp--Tricks, Genii Magazine September, 2001
"The Color-Changing Knives has long been a favorite trick for the close-up magician. The props are familiar to an audience, and can be conveniently carried in a pocket. However, there is a weakness in most Color-Changing Knives routines. As Whit Haydn states, 'When you make the knives change color, the audience immediately wants to re-examine them. They suspect that there must be something tricky about those knives. In order to evade the inevitable, 'Let me see that knife!' a routine must be carefully constructed to develop either enough momentum, or enough distraction, or both, so that the spectators do not have time to make or even think of such an annoying and logical request.'
"Whit Haydn developed his knife routine titled, The Intricate Web of Distraction, in the late 1970's. He has performed it hundreds of times in every possible performance venue, from the trade show floor to the Close-up Gallery of the Magic Castle. The routine was originally released to the magic community in 1989, It has now been revised and updated.
"Whit's routine is simple and direct. A white knife is removed from the left pants pocket. The spectators examine it. The knife vanishes and reappears in the pocket. The magician now claims that he can make the knife vanish from his right hand under impossible conditions. This he does by creating an Intricate Web of Distraction. The knife changes from white to black. The white knife appears in the left hand. The knives change places several times. Finally, the magician does as promised and the white knife vanishes from the right hand.
"Whit offers this routine in two formats: manuscript form ($10 plus $5 p&h) or video format ($30 plus $5 p&h). In either case you'll get the complete details, including all the patter and an analysis of the psychology involved. whit also sells a set of three knives made byJoe Mogar ($75 plus $5 p&h). The knives are well made and handle beautifully.
"I like this routine because it is simple to follow, is practical under a variety of conditions, and needs no reset time. It has been honed under fire for more than 20 years. If you are looking for a Color-Changing Knife routine, The Intricate Web of Distraction certainly fits the bill and is worth your serious consideration. Recommended."
--Michael Close, The Marketplace, MAGIC Magazine, July 2001
*****************************
GENII:
"The Intricate Web of Distraction is a showpiece...The routine is wonderful for a formal close-up situation. The title refers to a fictitious technique magicians use to misdirect their audience, which allows them to switch a black knife for a white knife or, in the end, make a knife vanish completely.
"Mr. Haydn has obviously spent a lot of time thinking about knife routines. He discusses subtleties in his written and video instructions that that are invaluable for the working pro and will be of great interest to hobbyists--especially knife-lovers. But most importantly, he addresses the plot of a knife routine, its inherent problems, and his solution. His video and written instructions break down the Paddle Move and two variations in great detail.The Flip, a Paddle Move done on the fingertips without moving the wrists, was new to me and most deceptive. For knife workers, this move alone is worth the price of the instruction booklet. Furthermore, he has a kicker-ending--a visible transposition that really catches the audience off-guard. The timing of this move is superb and worth the price of the booklet. The power of it wasn't evident if the written instructions, but after seeing the video, I urge you to explore this finale idea...
"Bottom line: If you are looking for a set of terrific black and white color changing knives that look like you bought them at a fine hunting and fishing store (without the novel red/yellow colors), these are the best I've seen in a long, long time. Even if you have a knife routine you're happy with, you'll enjoy reading the instructions. The video is a great learning tool for those of you who are just beginning to master knife moves or for those of you who have seen Mr. Haydn perform and want to learn the nuances of The Intricate Web of Distraction."
--Danny Orleans,
Light From the Lamp--Tricks, Genii Magazine September, 2001