Anybody has got this effect yet? Heres' the llink.

I've got Jason Palter's Third Degree Burn. Wonder if this is a 'improved version' of Third Degree Burn.

The gimmick is very well made, and the 'move' is done in the open. No more fiddling in your pocket.

But the gimmick is designed for a Zic lighter, so over here in sg if you can't find a Zic lighter, you just have to go round looking for a similar size lighter that fits.

a little expensive, but it's well worth it.

Since you have Third Degree Burn I would say stick with it, as it is nice that it can give you prediction of all 52 cards, although some pocket work is required, it is still a wonder. I would personally rate 3rd Degree higher than Branded. This is because I always have my hands in my pocket (bad habbit) even that I am doing no funny business in there :)

I was a bit disappointed with Branded as I think it is a bit overprice for the gimmick that you get and the dvd instruction which is quite short as well. What seems good about Branded is that you can have you hand in the open all the while, no where in the pocket for some time. The downside is that you need to force the card for prediction, and you can't really borrow a lighter which you can in 3rd Degree. And you need to ditch the lighter/gimmick afterwards just in case, and not only you need to find the lighter that fits the gimmick, you need to find one color that match.

Methods for creating blisters are mostly very similiar... with some creativity and with your kids permission to borrow something from them (which you'll never return :P), you could do something very similiar to Branded :).

Agreed. Just stick to whatever you are using. It won't make the effect any stronger to me. I have both pyro perception and Branded. After getting branded, I still went back to using pyro perception gimmick. Reason, because I am so used to performing it that way and I don't get much different reactions using Branded.

With that said, if you think pocket work is problematic, say, you wear tight jeans... then maybe the switch will help you a little.

Hi just wanted to give a few pieces of information on Branded. In 1972, Jack published the original blister effect in Tarbell # 7. In 1986, Eric Mason published the first card blister effect entitled “Stigma” in his lecture notes (See July 7, 2006 Cardopolis web site by David Britland for details). Eric was the first person in my research to use another shape - the card blister. In 2002, Pyro Perception was released by Brent Walske without credit to Mason or Tillar. I used this effect but always felt weird about being in my pocket and fishing around. In 2006, Third Degree Burn was released by Jason Palter. I consider Jason a friend and helped him with the design and release of Third Degree Burn. In theory it's great as you can name any card but I found that in actual use I was in my pocket far too long at PRECISELY the wrong time. We think it doesn't matter but it truly does. What people don't care about is that it can be any card. The force should simply NEVER be seen as a force. Thus in 2007 I created Branded.

There is a fairly lengthy thread of about 13 pages about Branded at http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtop...6&forum=109&330 Most likely any questions you have about it will be answered or discussed in that post.

I'll be happy to answer your questions here or privately as well..

I am VERY familiar with all of the previous card blister effects, marketed and not, from USE and from the extensive research I did. I previously used Pyro Perception. As mentioned above, I helped Jason Palter with the design and release of his Third Degree Burn which is great. In my biased opinion Branded is by far the best method for this really strong effect. If you really want to DO (perform) the card blister effect, Branded is THE way to do it. The card blister plot (going back to Eric Mason) plays VERY strong.

I hope the following is helpful:

1) Branded allows you to do the dirty work in the open with just no suspicion. This is very important. I think with the other card blister effects you have to either fish around in your pocket and/or do some "thinking" (what shape goes with what, where things are, etc.).Tommy Wonder had made on his old lecture video. He advised he tried to structure his magic so he didn't have to think about it. He felt that if you have to THINK about the method it becomes less magical to your spectators. I'd agree. With Branded there is no pocket work - it's done right in front of them in an instant with no thinking. I can assure you this is just more comforting to you as the performer. You really don't have to think about it and thus it creates a stronger piece of magic. I believe the other card blister effects happen at the wrong time period. Do they fly? Certainly - but it's not about what works - it's maximizing the strength of an effect by pushing it beyond what "works'. I used to USE the various other devices and I think you'll find Branded gives stronger results.

2) Some may argue that it is asking a bit much of the spectator to believe you created a blister AND it is in the shape of a card pip/number. This is just not something people have seen so it's hard for them to relate. However, with Branded you can first start with an ordinary round blister to help establish the idea and then that MORPHS or transforms into the card blister. This is just easier for the spectator to swallow - just a bit more plausible. I have been recently using handlings by Morgan Strebler and Andy Amyx that jump right to the card blister but I can assure you from experience the morph really registers with people. It takes a bit longer to get to the punch but it is strong.

3) The other card blister devices on the market create very "perfect" numbers/pips - it was taking a plot that was stretching the believability factor as noted in point number 2 and pushing that even further... "so you create a blister AND it is in the shape of the card pip/number AND the numbers are perfectly shaped". In Branded, we tried to examine every detail including the size, shape, etc. We decided to use a "bubble" font to make it just a little more believable.

4) I/we tried to really cover everything in the history, teaching, etc. I think one or two of the other card blister effects on the market unfortunately do not teach a lot of the detail, they do not provide the history, they do not get any permission, etc. To me these things are important. We scripted the DVD to give meticulous detail. We have provided a support site of www.brandedmagic.com dedicated to purchasers so we can pass along updated handlings, ideas, etc. We have included basic downloadable instructions in various languages. We have done a lot of research to provide an accurate history. We have obtained permission by the guy who started the who blister craze Jack Tillar becoming the only commercial release of a blister effect to receive Jack's endorsement and blessing. In addition, I pay Jack a royalty as without him this effect would not be... no one else is doing this. We have provided a couple of gimmicks for different "needs". I prefer the mini Bic gimmick.

5) for those working in the real world you know pocket space is a premium. Theoretically it sounds nice to be able to call any card but I can assure you from MUCH experience it is simply not needed- it is magician's thinking. The fishing in your pocket at the wrong time impacts the effect. They may not know what you did but they know you did something. Having any large metal device in your pocket also takes up valuable pocket space. One has to fish their hand in their pockets at precisely the wrong moment and hoping the other props in your pocket don't impede the process. With Branded pocket space is not compromised and you get the blister right in front of them in an instant.

6) We included a GREAT Voodoo Card effect on the instructional DVD as a precursor to Branded. Do NOT overlook the strength of this effect due to its ease.

I'd encourage you to read some of the endorsements I received and am very grateful and proud of.

I really stand behind my release. If you are unhappy with it for ANY reason, please contact me directly via e-mail I will be happy to ensure you are taken care of in the end. I am VERY confident in my product, what it has to offer, the value you get, and the strength of the effect it achieves. I realize you have a lot of choices on where you can spend your money so I can assure you in you buy Branded you will be happy. I have USED all of the other card blister items out there and I and have been part of Third Degree Burn. In my biased opinion Branded offers a stronger effect as there is simply nothing fishy/strange.

I think the unsolicited endorsements by some of the people who are USING Branded speak for themselves... David Blaine, Keith Barry, Greg Wilson, Paul Harris, Wayne Houchin, Morgan Strebler, etc. etc. I know a few of these guys had used one of the other devices and switched to Branded due to the reaction, convenience, cleanliness, etc.

Thanks for your consideration. It is appreciated and I truly value your thoughts, trust, and decision no matter what it may be. All in all the card blister effect is VERY strong.

Tim Trono

I think for me what makes Branded a winner (I don't have any of the others) is that it takes up zero other pocket space other than what is already there.

I do feel though that some of the blisters show up better than the others but that's down to my skin and not the gimmick. Other magician friends have tried it out and they get other blisters showing up better.

It's always there ready in my pocket when performing (I don't smoke so a bit odd to carry regularly) and is brilliantly hidden in plain sight.

A lovely gimmick for sure and the key as I've said is zero extra pocket space for me is taken up