Gifted Pen by Joshua Kaufmann

Created by: Joshua Kaufmann

Gifted Pen is a modern take on the classic pen-through-bill trick, where a pen visibly penetrates a banknote or piece of paper, and then can be given away as it's completely ungimmicked. This close-up magic trick is perfect for walkaround performances, allowing the magician to borrow a pen or use their own, perform the impossible penetration, and then hand the pen out for examination or even as a souvenir. The trick is designed to be visually stunning and leaves no trace, making it a baffling experience for spectators.

Key features

Uses an ungimmicked pen that can be borrowed or given away
Clean and visual penetration effect
Suitable for close-up and walkaround performances
Comes with two sets of pens and gimmicks (black and blue)
Easy to learn with a concise tutorial

Pros

The pen can be handed out for examination, enhancing the trick's credibility
Visual and baffling effect that's easy to perform
Great for interactive performances and engaging audiences
Comes with spare parts for longevity

Cons

The gimmick must be stolen away at the end of the trick
Requires practice to perform the 'pull-through' move smoothly

Effect

The Gifted Pen is a modern take on the classic "pen through bill" effect. A magician takes an ordinary-looking pen and visibly pushes it through a borrowed bill or piece of paper. The pen appears to penetrate the material cleanly, leaving no damage. As a final surprise, the magician can hand the pen to the spectator as a souvenir, proving it is completely ungimmicked.

Full Details

The trick uses a standard pen (available in black or blue) along with a small, concealable gimmick that facilitates the penetration effect. Unlike traditional versions of the trick, the pen itself is entirely normal, allowing it to be examined or even given away after the performance. The gimmick is designed to be hidden in plain sight, making the method difficult to detect.

Key features:

Uses an ungimmicked pen (can be borrowed or given away).
Works with borrowed bills or any paper.
Clean visual penetration with no visible damage.
Multiple handling options, including a convincing "pull-through" reveal.

Who Should Consider the Trick

The Gifted Pen is ideal for:

Close-up magicians looking for a strong, visual penetration effect.
Workers who want a practical trick with minimal reset.
Social performers who enjoy giving away souvenirs.
Beginners and professionals alike, due to its straightforward handling.

Difficulty

The trick is moderate in difficulty, primarily due to the need for smooth execution of the gimmick handling. The tutorial covers multiple methods, including a simpler approach similar to John Cornelius’s Perfect Pen and a more advanced "pull-through" technique. With practice, the moves become second nature.

What Magicians Say

Magic-TV (Craig & Ryland) – Ryland rated it 95%, praising the ability to give the pen away, while Craig gave it 79%, preferring his Perfect Pen but acknowledging its strong commercial appeal.
SaturnMagicShop (Mark T.) – Called it the best pen-through-anything effect he’s seen, highlighting its practicality and clean visuals.
MonsterMagicShop (Alex Kirk) – Appreciated the innocent appearance of the pen and the convincing penetration effect, noting that the ability to hand out the pen adds a strong finish.

The Gifted Pen stands out for its practicality, visual impact, and the unique feature of giving away the pen—making it a strong addition to any magician’s repertoire.

What people are saying about Gifted Pen

magic-tv says...

The gifted pen by Joshua Kaufmann, a pen-through-bill trick where the pen can be given away. Ryland rates it 95%, and Craig gives it 79%.

monstermagicshop says...

A fresh take on John Cornelius’s Pen Through Anything, this version uses an ungimmicked pen that visibly pierces a banknote, then can be handed out for inspection. The pen’s ordinary appearance sells the illusion.

SaturnMagicShop says...

A penetration effect using a borrowed pen (or a giveaway normal pen), praised for its clean visuals and practicality. Mark called it the best pen-through-anything effect he’s seen.