Well here is my review for the Shadow Masters. I'm definitly going to enjoy writing this one because they are simply a pleasure even to hold.
Box: The box is quite cool. When you just get them casually out of your pocket it... it just looks so good. I'm still getting used to them to be honest, but getting a box of Shadow Masters out of your pocket just makes you look (and feel) so professional (not quite the right word but it'll do), and then when you get the cards out of the box... *sighs infatuated* I do really like the barcode reveal for the 3 of spades though and that brings the box up by atleast one point Despite all this the box isn't exactly exciting to look at... 9/10
Card Backs: Very nice. Just like regualr bike backs (except obviously black) and darker in the middle and on the edge. Also the mermaids in the corners of the cards have shadows shaded, which give them a slight look of coming off the card. They also have a kind of 'ancient' feeling about them (but maybe that's just me) 9.5/10
Ace of Spades: Very nice design although I preferred the original Masters ace with the blue. With the black and red I think a hint of blue would've been fantastic. 8.5/10
Jokers: Fantastic. I really like the jokers. Quite spooky and eerie (if a little cheesy) Admittedly they are slightly emo too, but I really like the 3 of Diamonds reveal. Brilliant. Inspired. 10/10
Court Cards: Very nice indeed. A fantastic smokey look to them. I particularly like the red court cards as you have the red, black and white all on there. The pips are all gradientted (if that's a word) and made to look smokey. I hated this to start with, but actually now like it a lot. Really quite beautiful cards. 10/10
Stock: Slightly thicker than regualr bikes I'm not sure I would've noticed if someone hadn't told me first but it is slightly noticable. If you're worrying about them not fitting into you're super-awesome-sexy card clip or something I wouldn't worry - some how the deck as a whole manages to stay the same size (in thickness) as a regular one. I've also heard that the ink rubs off the side of the cards a little but that hasn't happened to me yet so I'm not too worried. I'm told it's nothing to worry about. 8/10
Fanning: WOW!!!!! When I fist opened these the first thing I did was fan them to get a good look at all the faces and I literally jumped!!! (ask randomwrath - he was there) These fan so beautifully and effortlessly it's like real magic. (Hmm that sounds so cheesy). I literally can't express enough just how nice they are to fan. 11/10 (shut up. Yes I am allowed 11)
Flourishing: OK these don't flourish brilliantly I'll admit, but they can do tricks and slights very well. The first trick I performed was the S.W. Elevator (which randomwrath and I call swelevator!) and it worked like a charm, but the flourishing ... well it kind of slips apart a little. The packs don't hold together when doing something ridiculously large like the leno cut, quite as well as regular bikes. I'm not sure if thats because of the UV500 air finish or not. This is the first deck I've had with it.7/10
Finally I must mention that you get a double backed card (just because everyone likes that) and obviously an 'E' advert card. Also the acrds aren't quite identical on the backs. The border on the top isn't quite as big as the one on the bottom. We weren't told this - we just noticed.
Altogether that makes a grand total of 73/80 (if you include the 11)
Which is some kind of percentage I expect. Hold on a minute please.
91.25%
Thankyou you've been a wonderful audience.
Probably
Box: The box is quite cool. When you just get them casually out of your pocket it... it just looks so good. I'm still getting used to them to be honest, but getting a box of Shadow Masters out of your pocket just makes you look (and feel) so professional (not quite the right word but it'll do), and then when you get the cards out of the box... *sighs infatuated* I do really like the barcode reveal for the 3 of spades though and that brings the box up by atleast one point Despite all this the box isn't exactly exciting to look at... 9/10
Card Backs: Very nice. Just like regualr bike backs (except obviously black) and darker in the middle and on the edge. Also the mermaids in the corners of the cards have shadows shaded, which give them a slight look of coming off the card. They also have a kind of 'ancient' feeling about them (but maybe that's just me) 9.5/10
Ace of Spades: Very nice design although I preferred the original Masters ace with the blue. With the black and red I think a hint of blue would've been fantastic. 8.5/10
Jokers: Fantastic. I really like the jokers. Quite spooky and eerie (if a little cheesy) Admittedly they are slightly emo too, but I really like the 3 of Diamonds reveal. Brilliant. Inspired. 10/10
Court Cards: Very nice indeed. A fantastic smokey look to them. I particularly like the red court cards as you have the red, black and white all on there. The pips are all gradientted (if that's a word) and made to look smokey. I hated this to start with, but actually now like it a lot. Really quite beautiful cards. 10/10
Stock: Slightly thicker than regualr bikes I'm not sure I would've noticed if someone hadn't told me first but it is slightly noticable. If you're worrying about them not fitting into you're super-awesome-sexy card clip or something I wouldn't worry - some how the deck as a whole manages to stay the same size (in thickness) as a regular one. I've also heard that the ink rubs off the side of the cards a little but that hasn't happened to me yet so I'm not too worried. I'm told it's nothing to worry about. 8/10
Fanning: WOW!!!!! When I fist opened these the first thing I did was fan them to get a good look at all the faces and I literally jumped!!! (ask randomwrath - he was there) These fan so beautifully and effortlessly it's like real magic. (Hmm that sounds so cheesy). I literally can't express enough just how nice they are to fan. 11/10 (shut up. Yes I am allowed 11)
Flourishing: OK these don't flourish brilliantly I'll admit, but they can do tricks and slights very well. The first trick I performed was the S.W. Elevator (which randomwrath and I call swelevator!) and it worked like a charm, but the flourishing ... well it kind of slips apart a little. The packs don't hold together when doing something ridiculously large like the leno cut, quite as well as regular bikes. I'm not sure if thats because of the UV500 air finish or not. This is the first deck I've had with it.7/10
Finally I must mention that you get a double backed card (just because everyone likes that) and obviously an 'E' advert card. Also the acrds aren't quite identical on the backs. The border on the top isn't quite as big as the one on the bottom. We weren't told this - we just noticed.
Altogether that makes a grand total of 73/80 (if you include the 11)
Which is some kind of percentage I expect. Hold on a minute please.
91.25%
Thankyou you've been a wonderful audience.
Probably
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