You may have encountered or even showcased the “Knife Thru Coat” effect. How did it go?

Effect: The magician secures a piece of paper to a coat hanger. Next, they request a spectator to lend their jacket, which is then hung on the hanger. The performer brandishes a knife and, in a shocking moment, plunges it into the jacket!

What happens next? The knife appears to penetrate both the jacket and the paper right before the audience’s eyes. The magician retrieves the knife from both items and hands the jacket back to the spectator for inspection.

The audience is left in disbelief—the knife seemingly passed through the jacket and paper without leaving a mark. As the spectator examines their jacket, they are astonished to find it completely unharmed! The knife has magically penetrated the fabric!

A standout feature of this effect is that it utilizes a coat hanger, eliminating the need for any assistants or volunteers during the performance.