Video Review: STOICS by David Blaine

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

External link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wiUh70K6IM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SOLD OUT this is the 1st Edition David Blaine Stoics Playing cards. Printed by the Expert Playing Card Company in China.

According to Blaine's website "The stock is called JN Finish and is the most like Jerry's Nugget decks obtainable. The Stoics handle unlike anything on the mainstream market and magicians will notice some incredible hidden features."

The tuck box is made of synthetic paper, embossed with red and silver foil.

But does it live up to the hype? Is it all that and a bag of chips? Are the rumors true? Watch my review and discover for yourself.

Find better decks of cards here: https://shop.davidblaine.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TheGentlemanWake]

I opened 3 of my brick. And all three behaved somewhat differently. The first deck held its shaped much better under use. The third was pretty warped. It's a shame. The finish is consistent with the other "JN" finish decks I own the Superior Skull n Bones v.2 from conjuring arts. They feel heavier.

[ChumpofSpades]

I do hope we get an unbiased and fair review of this deck at some point in time. To criticize the feel of a tuck box doesn't seem appropriate in a deck review. I have never bought a deck based on how the box feels. After hearing dozens of times, and I'm paraphrasing here....everyone wants to know how the cards feel; how they handle, well the best I can do is put 10 cards in a caliper and measure them... to then go straight into these cards suck just doesn't seem fair.

I have spent a few days now with the Stoics. Yes it did take more than 5 minutes to "break them in" and they faro like a dream, they fan just fine, however there not much to see in the fan because of the design, and seconds slide out like butter. The built in specialties are cleverly diabolical.

The real test will be how they hold up over time. I have a feeling they will get better with use, but only time will tell.

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

"unbiased and fair review"

What about my review is biased? I bought this with my own money , I don't work for anyone involved. Typically a "biased" review would love the product ....and from the comments I am receiving on youtube - buyers out there agree with me. So .........

To be fair, I criticize the tuck box AND the card stock - and it's totally "fair" because I bought them both. I hate it when the tuck box is too small and you have to jam the cards inside, or it's too think and you can't get the tongue flap out - in a review ....of course I am going to "review" everything.

Yes, I said they suck, but I also "fairly" explain why .... I mention the crappy finish and the crappy paper stock.

But if you want another review here ya go ....

Watch Xavior Spade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mLEFrho_8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jay Dee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VIvO-zaXsI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am happy YOU like them .... but I don't and I am allowed to have my own "unbiased" opinion.

[PipChick]

I for one really appreciate your reviews because they're consistent, fair and comprehensive; and it's because you look at all aspects of a deck (tuck & cardstock included) that I continue to come back to your reviews again and again - please don't change anything

[joeblow]

Thanks for the excellent review David. The deck could have been a classic if it was printed with better quality.

The comment about a "biased" review is ridiculous. Your reviews have always been straight.

[guru]

I also agree with PipChick that that your reviews have always been consistent, fair and comprehensive. This is another unbiased and an excellent review, David.

More importantly, you've always given fair chance to even new creators and have always responded to any questions, you have always been approachable. I remember when I just trying to launch my first deck and had sent you the first prototype. You never were worried about the views on youtube. Please continue in the same way as you always do.

So, I reached out to someone (a new reviewer) in Feb this year for a review, sent decks thoughtfully for review and a giveaway thanking him while thinking it will happen soon. Once decks were received was told that there are 4-5 reviews in queue and he will gt to them to be sure. Well, nothing happened and even a number of my messages etc. went unanswered. Given I was relaunching Bharata Tarot Playing Cards in April, I was looking to get maximum coverage on the first deck review and did bank upon this new "honorable in the name" guy. Few days back I got a message from him that he liked the "wonderful" decks but he won't be able to proceed with the review given he is only looking for decks that maximize the views for him. Though I was disappointed but I do understand that it is one's choice and prerogative entirely, I really appreciate that. What I didn't like was the fact that it took him that much time to respond after many messages through different channels to him. Also, if anyone has been a backer on any of my projects, they'd know that honor & keeping one's word is the topmost priority to me. I don't care about profit or money as such but fairness & honor is what I live for. If someone is a Gentleman or a Honorable person or goes by such name, I'm going to have expectations during certain transactions. May be, going with an unknown printer for Guru Playing Card Company is not going well for me, but it is part & parcel of the game & experience.

Respect & how you treat others is I think more important than creating some flashy review to garner "views" or subscriber count. Established youtubers (like this one here with ~6M subsribers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ksifJUgyY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) also advise the same.

Sorry, I got a bit emotional & hijacked this whole thread. The point I want to make is I never experienced this with youtubers like David, Victor etc. who always helped me & countless others. They have always been responsive. The reviews are completely unbiased and that's the reason these always will have my support. I'll also advise not to get into any hype over flashy reviews, but to each his own. Most of us have seen how much damage overhyped decks can do to your collection as well as overall experience. You all know better.

[PipChick]

That's kinda shitty man; I'm sorry to hear that that happened and I can understand your feelings of disappointment and frustrations. I think in this community, open and honest communication is vital as it builds trust among collectors, cardists, creators and promoters. I understand if things don't go necessarily as intended, but being forthcoming in such shows a strong sense of integrity and commitment to the community which means a whole lot more than any deck of cards or youtube views and will always have my support.

[TheGentlemanWake]

You know Sunish, because you did everything but call me out by name (well you even did that by saying “if someone calls themselves a ‘Gentleman’” capital ‘G’ who else could you be referring to?) I’m going to go ahead and defend myself right here. At the time of your request for me to review your deck I did in fact say that sure I would look at it and consider it for review. You sent me the deck. I thought it was really nice but ultimately I reserve judgement as to wether or not a review gets done. My initial thought was that it didn’t really fit the branding of my channel and that I would slot it in behind a few other projects in my queue. And that’s where it remained.

Now before we get into what happens next let me summarize for everyone about what my process is. As of the writing of this post i have 301 subscriber count. My viewership is fledgling. Obviously my channel is not a monetized venture and although I have received some free decks from a few people I generally don’t gain anything from the process. I enjoy making the reviews. In part because the cards I review have a personal connection to me (like the Shakespeare deck or the dead mans deck) or they are decks that I have important insights into (verum videre or lunática or houses of the rising spade) or because I like a deck and I feel it would be good for viewership (E deck). Ultimately I am the arbiter of what I Review. I have to FEEL like reviewing the deck innately. Otherwise I cannot summon the energy to set up all of my lights and cameras, shoot for three hours and write a script for two hours, again set up cams and lights and shoot on camera addresses and edit for three hours more. As a result I barely have time for a single review a week. I have to be more discerning I’m sure David (who’s thread we have hijacked—sorry David) understands how precious and limited time for these things can be. So on that respect, although I think your deck is very nice I felt little connection to it. And rather than make you feel bad about that I told you that it would be a while before I got to it. Now maybe it was foolish of me to not see the reality; that eventually i would get busy enough or find myself having a mound of decks I was DYING to spend 12 hours on. The truth is my backlog of decks has grown so long I may never get to decks that I simply adore and can’t wait to review. So forgive me for not realizing that. I really did think I would find the time to get to it. I thought the more reviews I do surely the more efficient I’ll get at it and maybe I’ll be able to get to do more decks. And I did get more efficient. But I chose to instead use that time for my reviews to grow more complex. Since my first reviews I’ve added 120fps slow motion, motorizad slider shots, detailed skits with costumes, gimmicks and made partnerships that require additional 1 minute versions of my reviews to be edited down for social platforms. PLUS all of the time it takes to teach myself cardistry so that the shots are cooler from a perspective of content. And all of this is ON TOP of my 50 hour a week job and having time to spend with my beautiful wife (who thankfully enjoys helping me thereby allowing for us to spend more time together).

So here it is: I’m sorry to disappoint you. I told you as much. I said I was sorry. That I would be willing to return the two decks you sent me (my expense of course) but I don’t appreciate the lack of consideration nor do I appreciate the implication that I’m partial or some how “selling out”. In fact as far as I’m concerned all you’ve done is alienate me further and I regret even opening myself to the possibility. The truth is if viewership were my only concern card deck reviews wouldn’t be the niche I’d choose. Or would I have reviewed a deck like the Shakespeare deck which only has 140 views in months while other decks have 700+ views in days?? In fact if you think about it Did you really want me to review a deck I didn’t find particularly interesting enough to WANT to review? In that respect maybe I AM partial. You say I lack respect but the truth is I’m being extra respectful. Rather than review it to embarrassingly (for YOU) admit “you know what I’m not sure i like the art style and in not sure I see the point” in fact seeing as how you’ve behaved with regard to this incident I can’t imagine how you would have handled a negative review of your deck.

Good luck to you and this is the last I’ll say about it.

[Mike Ratledge]

Let's keep the personal back and forth in private mail, please.

As always, UC is a place that you can always express your opinions and not be one bit afraid to do so, but if and when it becomes personal it is time to go to private instead of in the forums.

[guru]

Let's keep the personal back and forth in private mail, please.

As always, UC is a place that you can always express your opinions and not be one bit afraid to do so, but if and when it becomes personal it is time to go to private instead of in the forums.

Thanks Mike. As I said to you & David (Magic Orthodoxy) in a PM, I am sorry for hijacking this thread & putting it all on UC. I apologise to all my mates, backers & supporters here. I should have exercised restraint but something didn't bode well with my value system as I mentioned above.

Omar / TheGentlemanWake - I wish you good luck for your channel.