B4CUT by Andrei Jikh - Personal Review and experience
Breif Theory11 description:
"A signature move from the mind of Andrei Jikh, the b4 is a multi-phased cardistry sequence that demonstrates smooth, swift card handling. Taught in 12 minutes of detailed instruction by Andrei Jikh - and filmed in high definition in theory11's new Las Vegas hq."
And that, in a nutshell, is exactly what it is. My personal view on the appearance on the flourish itself is really good, it demonstrates use of a sybil cut, a balance, a large display and flares. All these add up to making it a good looking, good feeling peice, and slightly complex cut.
The flourish is broken down into 3 main stages:
1. The Flares
2. The Display
3. The Close.
Now, each stage is broken down very slowly (with multiple camera shots), lots of detail is given not only through each stage, but continuously throughout the duration of the video. Also, there are two slow walkthroughs at the beginning and the end. This shows you what the appearance of the cut should look like.
The Flare stage incorporates the z-grip (like many flourishes), a single card flare (as seen in d+d's the werm), and a variation of the main move in a sybil cut.
The Display stage mainly incorporates a balance card (on the thumb), two flare cards, and extended packets.
The Close stage is made to look more difficult than it is, Andrei explains by using motion to highlight movement of the cards etc.
Andrei is left handed, but each detail is broken down so that it makes it very easy to understand for a right handed person (like myself).
Now, I focused on card magic and have been doing it properly for about 5 years+ (but 10 years + as just an interest and use of little tricks), so much so, I had no experience with any flourishes before. I have only started flourishing about a month ago. Yes, you're probably saying why did he go for a flourish of an intermediate stage when you're a beginner. Well, I thought I had been using cards for so long it would give me an edge.
Let me tell you, this is where i went slightly wrong. Yes with about 3 weeks I have it down, but that was with continuous practise, just every now and again picking up a deck and taking it stage by stage practising each one slowly.
So, overall, i think this for a beginner of flourishing (like myself) , is definately a challenge, but one that can be conquered by much practise. People who have had experience with Chris Kenner's Sybil Cut and/or it's many variations, will certainly have a head start on the first stage.
Great Cut! 5/5
Breif Theory11 description:
"A signature move from the mind of Andrei Jikh, the b4 is a multi-phased cardistry sequence that demonstrates smooth, swift card handling. Taught in 12 minutes of detailed instruction by Andrei Jikh - and filmed in high definition in theory11's new Las Vegas hq."
And that, in a nutshell, is exactly what it is. My personal view on the appearance on the flourish itself is really good, it demonstrates use of a sybil cut, a balance, a large display and flares. All these add up to making it a good looking, good feeling peice, and slightly complex cut.
The flourish is broken down into 3 main stages:
1. The Flares
2. The Display
3. The Close.
Now, each stage is broken down very slowly (with multiple camera shots), lots of detail is given not only through each stage, but continuously throughout the duration of the video. Also, there are two slow walkthroughs at the beginning and the end. This shows you what the appearance of the cut should look like.
The Flare stage incorporates the z-grip (like many flourishes), a single card flare (as seen in d+d's the werm), and a variation of the main move in a sybil cut.
The Display stage mainly incorporates a balance card (on the thumb), two flare cards, and extended packets.
The Close stage is made to look more difficult than it is, Andrei explains by using motion to highlight movement of the cards etc.
Andrei is left handed, but each detail is broken down so that it makes it very easy to understand for a right handed person (like myself).
Now, I focused on card magic and have been doing it properly for about 5 years+ (but 10 years + as just an interest and use of little tricks), so much so, I had no experience with any flourishes before. I have only started flourishing about a month ago. Yes, you're probably saying why did he go for a flourish of an intermediate stage when you're a beginner. Well, I thought I had been using cards for so long it would give me an edge.
Let me tell you, this is where i went slightly wrong. Yes with about 3 weeks I have it down, but that was with continuous practise, just every now and again picking up a deck and taking it stage by stage practising each one slowly.
So, overall, i think this for a beginner of flourishing (like myself) , is definately a challenge, but one that can be conquered by much practise. People who have had experience with Chris Kenner's Sybil Cut and/or it's many variations, will certainly have a head start on the first stage.
Great Cut! 5/5
