In this episode we unbox the latest release from Theory 11, the Navigators playing cards
and give you a chance to win one for yourself.
Also we announce the three lucky winners of the Art of Play Mystery decks!
All that coming up next!
[Music]
This episode marks the sixth time I’ve reviewed decks by Theory 11 on this channel.
And if you’ve watched any of those reviews you know I don't exactly pull punches
when it comes to them.
Theory 11 continues to be, arguably, the preeminent player in the world of premium playing cards.
There's that recent distribution deal they had through American retailer Target and their ongoing
relationship with Barnes and Noble almost assuredly makes them the top selling consumer
brand in cards outside of maybe Bicycle and all their decks. Most if not all of the Theory 11 decks
are catually printed by Bicycle. By the USPCC.
That puts Theory 11 in the enviable and precarious position of setting the bar, which, at least
in my opinion, they’ve struggled to actualize.
We’ll, almost assuredly, go over the reasons why in detail as we thumb through this new
offering, the Navigators--because if Theory is one thing; it’s stubbornly consistent.
Welcome back, I’m the Gentleman Wake and this is the go-to channel for cardists,
collectors, magicians and players.
If you are new here, well then welcome to you too!
We hope the quality of this episode and the value you derive from it will compel you hit
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time a new TGW video goes up.
Make sure to stick through to the end, because one of the things i enjoy most is getting
you guys involved in the action.
I’ll be giving away a deck of Navigators to one lucky winner.
Details for that a little later.
For now, shall we begin?
After teasing the deck for 10 days or so on the Theory 11 website, the Navigators were
released to the public via Theory11.com on New Year’s Eve 2018.
The deck comes packaged in an attractive matte white cardstock tuck case featuring gold foil,
and raised embossing throughout the design.
The front of the box features picture frame style linework in gold with the image of a
compass, complete with black compass needle, floating above the deck name.
The sides read Navigators and the bottom has the traditional Theory 11 ad copy.
The back is an almost 1:1 representation of the back design of the cards.
More on the minor difference in a bit.
The main feature is of course the traditional ship's wheel, most commonly associated with
the wooden vessels constructed between the 1400s and 1900s.
The tuck flap is held in place by a black and gold foil seal.
Maybe I’ve been spoiled by the beauty and intricacy of past Theory 11 tuck boxes.
The Hudson deck was pretty great.
The Citizens deck has an amazing box.
The High Victorian deck is probably the pinnacle of massed produced tuck box, so much so that
I placed it on a top ten list of tucks where it was the only non-custom limited box of
the bunch.
So I was a little underwhelmed when I finally got the Navigators box in my hand.
I mean it’s a pleasing design and everything..
But it just feels a little plain and uninspired.
I guess it doesn't help that it's a white box too.
In the end it's kind of a bad omen for what’s to come.
I mean, typically the tuck box is the BEST part of Theory 11 decks.
Opening the seal reveals a printed gold foil pattern repeating along the majority of the
box interior.
The theory 11 motto, 'cerca trova', makes an appearance all the way at the bottom of the
inside of the box.
It’s hard to see with the naked eye let alone through the camera lens.
The tuck flap is a little bit more ornate and the small tuck flaps feature an eye of
providence on each.
As far as the cards go, my fears are confirmed.
The boring primarily white back design on the tuck is translated here and even MORE
boring if you can believe it, after removal of the black ring found on the box.
Additionally the gold metallic ink is a bit lifeless and low contrast against the white
in a way that the gold foil on the box avoided.
It’s really a shame especially since the deck itself is probably just like every other
Theory 11 deck in recent memory,
I mean, really?
Another release with bog standard bicycle faces?
I just so sick and tired of every Theory 11 deck having the same pips, the same indices,
the same court cards.
It’s just ri...
What the @#$%?
[Explosion Sound Effect]
Hi guys it’s Lady Wake!
Good to be here again despite the unfortunate incident.
Don’t worry the Gentleman Wake
He'll be back soon.
He's just a little in shock right now.
Unfortunately he won't be back to finish this review but he did muster up
what little strength he had left to jot down a few ideas so I'll do my best to relay them to you.
Ok so... um, here's what he had to say.
In a shocking turn of expectations, the Navigator deck includes completely custom faces.
Even pip placement is unique and non-standard.
The Ace of spades includes a large spade pip with gold metallic accents and the image of
a whale’s tale breaching the black waters of an ocean.
The full moon hangs low and large behind the whale in a field of stars.
Additionally the other three aces include gold circle seal-style ornamentation around
the center pip.
The courts are completely unique as well.
Borderless images depicting various figures of seemingly different origins, time periods
and even some mythological inspiration.
Oddly some aren’t even in keeping with the navigational theme.
For instance all of the queens feel like they’ve been ripped out of the pages of Homer and
greek antiquity.
The queen of diamonds reminds me of the warrior goddess athena.
The most modern of which, the queen of hearts, peeks out across the unseen waters as she
leans on a relatively common ship’s anchor.
The jacks too feature strange anachronisms towards one another.
The jack of diamonds has a 19th century telescope, but the jack of clubs is dressed like a greek
warrior.
All four kings could represent different periods as well with the king of clubs presenting
venetian vibes and the king of spades, most recently depicting a colonial era ships captain
peering through a looking glass.
The deck also includes two identical jokers featuring the image of a wooden barrel with
a fishtail emerging from it holding up a bottle.
Presumably of ale or whiskey.
Finally there’s a deck specific theory 11 ad card and another unexpected inclusion,
a double backer.
LIZA (OFF CAMERA): Are you sure you want to do this?
Yeah, I’m fine.
I’m…
I’m definitely feeling better.
LIZA (OFF CAMERA): Alright.
Alright. Okay.
Well needless to say this deck had a few surprises and I’ve got to give credit where credit
is due.
Still despite the welcome changes, custom faces, the inclusion of double backer I do
think that the deck is still kind of boring.
For a deck entitled Navigators there was some really clear opportunity to include some elements
that fit the sea-faring motif a little better. At least color right?
A deep blue or seafoam green?
Who doesn’t love a little seafoam.
The deck was printed by the USPCC and of course handles as you would expect.
The deck is traditionally cut, air cushioned finish on crushed stock.
Fans, springs and dribbles feel great.
Cardistry is certainly easy enough to perform but again the low contrast backs don’t really
do much to show off any moves.
In the end It’s an okay deck more for Theory 11 completionists then anyone else.
The Navigators deck is still available on Theory11.com and for a great price.
$9.99 for a premium deck is a pretty good deal.
The same is true actually of all Theory 11 decks and honestly I’d recommend buying
an Artisan deck or a Citizens deck before you get one of these--even though those are both bicycle standard.
Ironically enough.
There’s another way to try these for yourselves that doesn’t include spending any money.
For a chance to win a deck of Navigators from me do the following.
Like this video.
Be a subscriber to this channel.
And in a comment below tell me what hobbies or interests you have outside of playing cards.
I want to get to know you guys a bit better.
Congrats to Kutari66, L.K.
Overwatch Fan, and Sherrill Cardistry. Winners of the Art of Play mystery decks, contact
me via Instagram to claim your prizes.
Thanks to all of my awesome Patreon producers and thanks to you for watching.
A warm thank you to my beautiful wife for her willingness to step up to the task in
my brief absence.
If you didn’t know she’s done some more reviews on the channel before plus she’s
actually got a channel of her own where we put on some more sketch comedy.
Check it out if you haven’t.
Be sure to click here to subscribe.
And click here to watch another video.
I’ve been the Gentleman Wake.
See you next time.
Owww.