Mental Pen by Joao Miranda - Mentalism Review

Sebastian Tocamagic delivers a thorough review of the 'Mental Pen' by Joao Miranda, a mentalism prop designed for various effects, particularly Lotto predictions. Aiming to assist magicians in making informed purchases, Sebastian shares his experience with the prop, noting he's owned and used it extensively. The Mental Pen allows a spectator to freely choose a lottery ticket, cut it, and tap the pen, leading to a seemingly impossible prediction. What sets this prop apart is the spectator's role in activating and deactivating the gimmick, enhancing the illusion of free will. Beyond Lotto predictions, Sebastian suggests possibilities like map and word predictions, encouraging creative exploration. The prop costs $40 USD and includes the pen (with a replaceable Sharpie), gimmick cap, and reset tool. Sebastian rates the difficulty as beginner-level, emphasizing clear spectator instructions. It boasts a quick 3-second reset time, inspectability, and 360-degree performance angles (excluding those below the performer). He advises magicians to be mindful of spectator actions, provide clear instructions, and keep a reset tool and replacement Sharpies handy. Ultimately, Sebastian awards the Mental Pen an 8.5 out of 10, recommending it for mentalists seeking a versatile and deceptive prop, especially when compared to alternatives like 'Sharp Shifter'.