SvenKards by Brett Barry

This great tool takes a classic SvenPad and deconstructs it like a dessert at a Michelin Star restaurant.

Now instead of handing the spectator a notepad to force something, you can hand them a stack of index cards, have them mix the cards up, and spread through them to see all of the different options. You then take the index cards back, square them up, and add a bulldog clip at the top. Just like that, you're ready to continue with your force just as if they were holding a SvenPad.

I think this offers several benefits over the pad--especially if you want to take the mind reading approach. With a SvenPad, I've always disliked the fact that the audience could assume that the performer glanced at how far down in the pad they opened it to know what they stopped on. It seems like a far-fetched idea, but even still if a spectator latches on to that idea, they will be convinced it's the solution. With SvenKards, the spectator can mix the cards up first which totally eliminates this as a possible answer. There are other inherit benefits too such as the type of information you would see written on an index card verses in a notepad. It also opens the doors to have audience members write thoughts on index cards from their seats. By collecting those cards and switching them for the SvenKards, you would now be able to force something out of a stack of "audience suggestions." This is the primary way I would use them in a show.

If you've used a genuine SvenPad product, you'll know that the quality is always top-notch. The paper is the best quality on the market, and the cuts are so precise you practically need a magnifying glass to see it. These index cards are no different. They look and feel precisely like a single index card, and the cuts are very difficult to see if you don't know what you're looking for. There was a little bit of drama when these first came out because another company called La Servante had already released a notecard with a svengali principle, but I compared the SvenKards to La Servante's version, and there's no doubt that the quality of Brett Barry's SvenKards is far greater than La Servante's. La Servante's cards are an odd size, too thick, and the cuts are twice as large as the SvenKards. SvenKards are on the expensive side, but if you're a professional, you wouldn't want to take the chance of the cut cards being seen or the extra thickness being felt. That's why I would choose SvenKards.

The cards come in two sizes. There's a 4x6" Blank Index Card version and a 3x5" Lined Index Card Version. Both options come with 20 gaffed index cards (20 pairs; 40 cards in all.) The one qualm I've seen online about the lined version is that the writing has to be written in portrait orientation for the force which means the writing will be perpendicular to the lines on the cards. I do agree that for the lined version, it feels more natural to write on the lines than across the lines, but I came up with a handling that allows the cards to be written in landscape mode and still force the item. I posted it in the private Sven facebook group if anyone wants to see it. This feels like less of an issue with the blank cards since the orientation isn't preset like it is with the lined cards.

Overall, this is a top quality product that can enhance any routine you currently do with a SvenPad, and it provides more flexibility for creative uses. I should also mention this principle isn't new, but this is the first time I've seen this product offered as a premade item with such high quality. If you like what you see and you know the quality of Brett Barry's products, then you already know what to expect. If you like what you see but you don't know the quality of Brett Barry's products; I can assure you this is the best of the best and the quality is a feat in itself.

Oh! And I've just seen the product is now available at all of your favorite magic dealers, so there's no better time to grab it while you can.