Known by various names, Wooden Mental Logs is sometimes included in a beginner’s magic set. The reason for his is because it is very easy to do.
Although the effect involves purely numbers, there are no complicated mathematical formula to memorise or to calculate.
The effect is straight-forward. With different numbers on each face of a square stick, there are mathematically 6,144 ways to put the 4 different sticks together, giving 4 horizontal rows of 4 different numbers. As the spectator totals these numbers using the calculator function of her cell phone, the performer manages to write the total well in advance, without using any form of calculating device. The effect can be repeated with different results each time, and is truly baffling.
The numbers in the 4 sticks are cleverly conceived to provide the following properties of the 4 sticks:
- The total of the 4 rows of numbers is very easily calculated mentally by the performer, while a spectator not in the know has to use a calculator to do the addition. This is true whether you divine the total of the 4 sticks or 3 sticks or 2 sticks.
- Even when the spectator deliberately mis-align the 4 sticks, giving even more rows of numbers to add, the performer can come out with the total in less than 30 seconds.
- The numbers on the front of the 4 sticks give a clue to the performer on the total of the unseen numbers underneath the 4 sticks, facing the table or the close-up mat. This enables the performer to make a prediction of the total of the unseen sides of the 4 sticks.
- This last property of the Mental Logs is not known to the magic community at large, but is expounded by Docc Hilford in his “The Book Of Numbers” Volume 2. When a log is turned upside down, the performer can still divine the total of the 4 sticks although the numbers in this vertical row is reversed, and have to be read upside down.
These 4 properties of the Mental Logs enable you to put together a 4-phase routine using just the 4 sticks, with each phase seemingly more difficult than the last phase.
As with most of TCC’s products, you receive these 4 sticks in a very nice black cardboard box. The 4 sticks are made of black ebony wood with the numbers in yellow stamped onto them. Each stick measures 1.5 inches long and 3/8 of an inch square.
The negatives of this product are:
- The effect is meant for micro close-up performance, best for one-to-one performance.
- It is not a cheap product, considering that very much cheaper sets are available in the market. However, to a discerning audience who appreciates professionally produced high quality items, these wooden sticks does not present a negative.
- At this price, TCC should at least provide a draw-string type velvet carry bag for the 4 sticks.
This product is given 5 stars because it ticks all the boxes for what a multi-phase good micro close-up magic effect should deliver. The effect is so powerful that several large versions of the Mental Logs are manufactured for parlour performances. But that is a different story. (Rated 5/5 stars)
