Deck Review - Stoics Playing Cards by David Blaine

[@DanGuitarSmith]

aw man! this is the first time ive seen you say something about a deck that isnt just 'these feel great' love your honesty. massive respect so thank you for that. all the best for the future.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Well.... to be fair it's not a USPCC deck. I kind have a huge man crush on Bicycle

[@STEPHENHAMMER]

i appreciate the honesty, bud. thank you!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Sure thing

[@_db612]

I'm mad i can't give you more than one thumb up, so many valuable infos, great video David!

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@codyl8757]

Your videos and review are getting better and better

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks Mike

[@MexieMex]

Full marks for your honesty (as always), I do really like the thick and thin pips idea though.

[@magicorthodoxy]

yea - I've had other decks who've done that same thing though....

[@VisionXUpdates]

That intro was great!

[@magicorthodoxy]

ha ha

[@magicphil7651]

Omg, this is the first time I see you NOT like a deck. I love you honesty. Can't wait to see your review on 1st playing cards by Chris Ramsay.

[@magicorthodoxy]

me too !!!!

[@AwesomeMetalBands]

Brilliant review fantastic honesty how much did Chris Angel pay you for the Bad review. Lol joking It's incredibly refreshing to see such a honest review. Your eBay advice is absolutely brilliant.

[@magicorthodoxy]

WOW! Thanks !!!!

[@AmbercoolPhotography]

I'm really glad I didn't order a brick of these when it was on sale for half off the first day. I trust your reviews, not because the cards have to all be good but, because I know what I'm going to get. I might get one to collect; not the normal 3-4 I get to collect.

[@magicorthodoxy]

good call

[@sandeshsahare9849]

Two videos in a day thats aewsome

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@DisfunkshinalReviews]

Loved this review david...sooooo true man..im putting mine up soon 👍

[@magicorthodoxy]

sad face ... I really wanted to like this deck

[@DisfunkshinalReviews]

magicorthodoxy i did too..lol..

[@Cyesloks67]

There's a tuck case shown on Ellusionist website I wonder if they added the tuckcase now?

[@magicorthodoxy]

I don't think Ellusonist carries the David Blaine stoics, you must be talking about the green "refill" deck

[@Jordan_B02]

I saw this on tv this morning that was amazing!

[@magicorthodoxy]

yep

[@TwoFootGiant]

I wish I had seen this before I got mine, and hated it. But I’m glad I saw it before I bought a second one to keep wrapped. Only reason I bought the deck was cause I’m going to his show may 30th

[@magicorthodoxy]

:(

[@TwoFootGiant]

magicorthodoxy it does allow me the possibility of an opportunity to tell him :D

[@DJDarkGift]

Hey David, as usual, thanks for another great and informative deck review. I was lucky & smart enough to only pickup two decks of the new First Edition David Blaine Stoic Paperweights and you are spot on. I’ve been messing around with one and putting the other away with the unopened decks in my collection, the few that I do have. I actually think they closest resemble the EPCC’s NOC Decks from cardstock to feel and finish, but that’s my opinion. I hear everyone comparing them to the Skull & Bones v2s but I don’t see it as I prefer those way more than these. I also don’t know why Blaine went with EPCC esp their China plant as I also own quite a few decks from the Taiwan printer and those are not horrible. The only other answer I was seeking you answered with the bold indexes but I can’t figure out why someone would rearrange the cards to have all the bold characters one way just to do a trick that way, especially when these are already tapered. Align all the bold characters the same way and see how he deck behaves then, if you think out of the box was bad. I prefer his 2012 White Lion B Series and actually just today received the White Lions Tour Series deck and a Phoenix Brand Deck. Love the Tour Series and the Phoenix Brand Deck handles and feels way better than the Stoics and those were I think 4.99 online. I have probably over 350+ decks in my collection now and I open and use mostly every one as I don’t expect taking them with me, I like the feeling and enjoyment of picking up different types of decks for whatever their original intended purpose but these Stoics, Yikes. As Xavier Spade put it in his review, He liked the box the brick came in better then the deck itself. That has to tell you something. Ps, what’s the best way to get you a message as I’m in the process of putting a deck together and would love to hear your thoughts on one of my ideas. Thanks again David. Shawn aka DJDARKGIFT, Darkest Playing Cards.

[@magicorthodoxy]

wait, are you saying that if you line up all of the bold ends ... it's no longer a working stripper deck? Whose' idiotic idea was THAT ????

[@DJDarkGift]

magicorthodoxy I think that’s the point I was getting to. I mean wouldn’t you think that all the bold ends would line up with the taper, right? I think that with Mr Blaine getting up in years he’s either not thinking things thoroughly through, or overthinking things. Or maybe he’s just sewn his lips together one too many times. Alas, At least I still walk away with his commemorative paperweight. Haha.

[@yanzhongtan4449]

Blaine was been working with USPCC all this time, any idea why he would suddenly switch?

[@magicorthodoxy]

save money? No idea

[@Engelp10]

Thanks for the review! You save me a couple of bucks!! 😎😎😎

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@miguelcruz4658]

They remind me on chris angels deck in the magic kit he put out

[@magicorthodoxy]

Oh no - THAT deck was WAY WORSE

[@anthonytmein]

How did you get a single card from the Microsoft deck? Did you get two decks and open one? That would be expensive!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

LOL

[@brandonadams6108]

I don’t mind the quality of the stoics because I’m not going to be playing with them or performing flourishes or illusions. It’s simply for my David Blaine Card Collection. It will remain sealed. I got a really good deal too so I’m pleased.

[@magicorthodoxy]

That is the best way to enjoy these cards

[@gents6379]

BEST REVIEW EVER!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh wow - thanks

[@magnum1165]

I must own close to a 100 decks of all different brands and styles and I gotta say the stoics are the first decks I own that I don't like, being that there my first and only David Blaine decks I have I thought the finish would be out of this world when in reality they feel like cheap dollar store cards :( guess I gotta get his lion decks instead

[@magicorthodoxy]

yep pretty much all decks of cards made from USPCC, Cartamundi and the Taiwan PCC are going to be quality - but any deck that says "made in China" or "PRC" garbage. Never buy

[@dawahtube136]

Wow this is like ur first negative review for the first time you said “this sucks” thanks for the honesty tho .. I’m a big David blain fan and because it’s gimmicked with possibilities I’m still gonna buy it you could even use invisible ink to mark these cards and no one will guess it’s marked due to the simplicity of design

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks, but i've done over 1,200 reviews ... so this isn't my "first" negative review - ha ha - keep watching !!!! :D

[@ahmedalsaadi9394]

Thanx for the review

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@Bozzy2000]

Excellent, honest review, as usual. Thanks for bringing up the eBay scalping crap too. And comparison to "good" DB cards. And a torn/restored reference case. And a better example of non-tearable (Jetsetters). And PRC (Peoples Republic of China). Now we know to stick to Taiwan from EPCC. And and and. Wow! Packed review.

[@magicorthodoxy]

THANKS !!!

[@yanzhongtan4449]

Damn how did you get your hands on the Microsoft deck?

[@magicorthodoxy]

won it -- in a contest

[@eljayr4669]

Thank you for an honest review. Even though I only collect decks, I won’t be buying this one

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@diondsilva5597]

I am kind of happy that these are sold out on the DB site now😃

[@magicorthodoxy]

:)

[@Spytron3030]

PRC=people’s republic of China I believe Edit: well I’m 24 hours late to this comment To add to this, did DB design this deck himself and choose this means of production, or was it all of it his hands?

[@magicorthodoxy]

Good question

[@SunsetDrakent]

hey David, would you be willing to sell your microsoft deck?

[@magicorthodoxy]

sure - for the low low price of one million dollars

[@yondel-kttkoh3948]

Lol i love the blain expression lol. I can do that myself with a numbing shot 30 mins before act. This was the cheapest card deck made. It must of cost $2 bucks to make.

[@magicorthodoxy]

these cards are garbage

[@ronthompson929]

David Blaine must be a stoic to not react to all the negative reviews his decks are getting. I would think he would be embarrassed.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Who knows

[@santie321]

wholeheartedly agree on every single point you made. NEVER have I been so thoroughly disappointed in a deck release .. and from none other than DB himself hits doubly hard. I would love to speak to him and ask ‘what the %#*! on God’s good earth were you thinking when you released this’?!? feel like he should do a recall and issue a statement of apology to the hundreds that bought this garbage...shame on you.

[@magicorthodoxy]

If it had been me, I would have sold the decks to the dollar store and taken a wash on it - then release it under my brand.

[@jestersage44]

Agreed,im beyond pissed about wasting my money on this.

[@Lance514]

I’m guilty of purchasing the entire brick on sale that came with a great box but yea, cards are not good. I’ve been using these decks as gifts to people who have displayed an interest in Magic who have no to very little experience and felt inspired to learn after I performed for them. Never even thought about selling one eBay. I do hate scalpers though

[@magicorthodoxy]

I’m not a fan of scalping either.

[@thepoetmustdie]

Well done video sir. A buddy got the deck...I second that it is the trashiest deck of cards and even able to compete in a worst deck ever competition with Chris Angel decks now.

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@vladimirkucharik9741]

I wish I watched this review 10 days ago when I ordered 3 decks from ebay :( I just got them. I thought that bold pips correspond to wider side of stripped deck so I would recognize it easily but it is not true. anybody interested in buying this deck? :-D

[@magicorthodoxy]

Sorry man

[@vladimirkucharik9741]

it's ok, I will find the use of them, they are still stripper decks... and I expect 1st playing cards, hopefully very soon

[@ddyoder]

This reminds me of the Jay Sankey deck (I grabbed some to support him and what he does even though the design wasn't my favorite) and low-and-behold the deck feels like cardboard and is unusable. I still have them and even think I got a signed card as part of my purchase.. but his signed card is the only real value I got. Bummer to hear that David Blaine's newest deck is a flop.

[@magicorthodoxy]

yea when I saw those Sankey cards, I knew right away he cheaped out on them - too bad to, I'd like to see Sankey team up with a good designer and print a quality deck

[@strtkn]

"This deck sucks". Haha BOOM!

[@magicorthodoxy]

I shoulda just made it THAT short.

[@strtkn]

@@magicorthodoxy gotta love the honesty. Much respect.

[@mmfvital]

You never know, maybe Chris Angel will come out in the future with a great quality deck :) It's a great shame, cause I'm a big fan of David Blaine, and his name, until this deck, was synonym of great quality decks.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Chris Angel already has a great quality deck - for years now - look at the Baroque WHITE on his website - made by USPCC

[@mmfvital]

Yep, just saw Vjose's review of them. They are USPC so that says it all, they have great quality, but that back design... It's not because Vjose says it, it just screams at you. Very bad :) So they got the Chris Angel "stamp of quality" on them, just not on the quality, which is good. The new Les Melies are a nice deck where the silver metallic is done right.

[@magicorthodoxy]

the black deck sucks, I have that one - but the white deck is much better

[@mmfvital]

Haha, yes, just saw your review on that black deck :)

[@jacobburnham5285]

The brick box is going to be worth more than the cards..I like my brick box more than all 12 decks

[@magicorthodoxy]

Same brick box I've got from other Expert decks. I have two of them from a few years ago.

[@jacobburnham5285]

magicorthodoxy I'm going to put my black and white lions in it and the stoics in a cardboard box marked "stay away"

[@magicorthodoxy]

do not open until the Apocalypse

[@jacobburnham5285]

magicorthodoxy for firewood 🔥

[@magicorthodoxy]

sell em on ebay - undercut all those scalpers - recoup your losses

[@BartekHCOL]

OMG. Is this first negative review? What went wrong with this cards?

[@magicorthodoxy]

.... they were printed in China.

[@BartekHCOL]

:)

[@JohnnyParadoxPH]

They were printed in Taiwan actually. EPCC.

[@BartekHCOL]

Neil Luna I have got aquila. They are great and I can't understand why DB did bad cards in Taiwan.

[@neekoolie6443]

This vid is great

[@magicorthodoxy]

awesome

[@austinchavers2025]

PRC is China. David blaine had cards made in china. Why I have no idea. I only bought two and I'll get my money back someday. super disappointed at how badly marketed they were. also have black streaks on one tuck.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Yea at 5:45 I indicate that it's China

[@austinchavers2025]

It just blows my mind. It's the first DB deck I've ever owned and I doubt I'll ever open them.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Get the white lions tour, and the black lions (or the seconds deck) both cheap and great decks. I have a brick of black lions - one of my favorite decks easy

[@Theworldisatlarge]

The deck is a gag. Jokes on all of you. Great trick!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Boo

[@anthonymorrone6072]

Got a brick myself, they suck. Who wants a brick of stripper decks whether it's 50% off or not. So deceitful in the description. First time buying off Blaine's site, also first expert playing card deck. Disappointed with the outcome.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Sorry man - trust me NORMAL decks from their Taiwan printer are awesome. Pick up a deck of JETSETTERS you won't be disapointed.

[@lammatt]

PRC means China Expert/Legend has a printer in China, the card stock they use in that printer is crap, compared to their Taiwanese printer

[@magicorthodoxy]

yep, I have that in the video right at 5:44

[@RAIJIN7]

The back design is the only thing that looks great.

[@magicorthodoxy]

agree

[@12stem7a-santosjaysoncolli6]

Rip offs gets more desperate and desperate by the time goes by like da hecc

[@mubblemann]

I have to agree. The Stoics are a very disappointing deck in terms of quality. The difference between these and say the Gold Gatorbacks is staggering

[@magicorthodoxy]

agreed

[@Genethagenius]

“Made in PRC” maybe PRC means “People’s Republic of China”?

[@magicorthodoxy]

it sure does !!! :D

[@AvidEric]

Already warped decks: I've had plenty of badly warped decks that (actually most of which) were made by USPCC. Latest ones I got were several Bad Robot Playing Cards decks which came worse than the most extreme breather cards. So bad that you could use them as clicker for dog training. So basically they were unusable to which even the shop sending them to me agreed. (Not to mention the always very rough cutting edge of USPCC cards - compared to the edges of cards from other manufacturers.) Now I didn't get my hands on these Stoics but I cannot imagine that they are that bad. So... if anyone has a spare deck...

[@magicorthodoxy]

they are all over ebay

[@AvidEric]

magicorthodoxy Yeah, I've just checked. There's quite some in the US with horrendous shipping costs but no seller from Europe (yet). I'll see, I'm in no hurry.

[@chosauyungkc]

At least it's better than criss angel mindfreak deck.

[@magicorthodoxy]

by 2 points

[@chosauyungkc]

@@magicorthodoxy lol

[@bradjr10]

For basically a $20 deck I kinda feel ripped off

[@우노스데우스]

"Made in P.R.C" equals "Made in China" , "People's Republic of China"

[@magicorthodoxy]

yep, I have that in the video right at 5:44

[@Imwaiting4you1]

This is all true.....this ship is sinking faster by the day.

[@magicorthodoxy]

naw ... one bad deck does not a sinking ship make

[@jestersage44]

I'm so pissed about this purchase. It's the worst deck i have. It is very cheap. Absolutely terrible!

[@magicorthodoxy]

yep - sorry

[@jestersage44]

magicorthodoxy lol not your fault david. I appreciate that though. I just wish D. Blaine would come out and apologize maybe even issue a discount to those who made purchases for the stoics. It's just a disgrace. I've only been collecting 3 months now but these are by far the worst deck of cards I've ever seen or felt.. I was just shocked when I very anxiously opened one of the decks in the brick to find this....garbage! If he doesn't issue an apology or something I'm going to feel as though this was done purposely. As if he used his name, which we know or thought we knew was synonymous with quality, to sell this poor excuse for a deck to thousands of enthusiasts. Many of which are dedicated followers of his. Just really poor taste and honestly a little disrespectful. Not to mention before I even purchased the brick I had tried contacting customer service over 6 weeks ago and have yet to hear back from anyone. I of course sent a couple of follow-up emails just in case and still,nothing. So I'm done making any further purchases from him and I barely even started lol. I'll stick with those who appreciate and respect their customers, those like Chris Chelko, an outstanding representative of the playing card community. He's incredible, a really nice guy who's considerate of his customers.

[@magicorthodoxy]

i'm sure David was led to believe the cards would be better than they turned out. Other designers who've used the China printer have gone back to USPCC after they've printed with them - I'm sure David will to.

[@HafzaProductions2019]

I will only want it because it's a stripper deck.

[@magicorthodoxy]

get Bicycle one - so much better and way less money

[@HafzaProductions2019]

magicorthodoxy Still, I want it because it's a stripper deck.

[@DBcardmagic]

This is the first negative review I've seen on this channel lol

[@magicorthodoxy]

I've got over 1,200 you should watch some more !!!

[@ayushdavid1412]

PRC = 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳

[@magicorthodoxy]

Yes mentioned in the review

[@72A1D372]

This deck is going for over $20 now, lololololol! Nope!!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

on ebay?

[@72A1D372]

@@magicorthodoxy yup, evilbay!

[@thewrongopinion7811]

Peoples' Republic of China...These cards look terrible.

[@thewrongopinion7811]

Actually, it looks like a knock--off, is it a knock-off?

[@magicorthodoxy]

yep, I have that in the video right at 5:44