Misled
Before Pen Through Anything (and the many, many varaiations) became almost a standard effect for close-up workers, David Copperfield performed a two phase routine in which a pencil was pushed and ripped though a dollar bill (which remained unharmed) and then was seen to melt through the bill which again was unfolded to show it was completely 'whole'.
A short while later, I saw Timothy Wenk demming this effect at a magic convention and imeadiatly bought it. Since then, although I have had to play with many 'pen through' effects, I have only ever really performed Mis-led as it is simply a more elagant effect.
The 'gimmick' is well made and far more subtle than almost every pen I have ever seen (and the wooden pencil can clearly be seen to be 'unfaked' unlike a pen which (to me) has always appeared a little dodgy (after all - that is why so much time and effort has been made into making the pens examinable - why? - becuase any semi intelligent observer will instinctly know that the secret is 'in the pen').
I also like the routine of Mis-led which actually looks like a magic trick. The slow motion melt through of the pencil is beautifully visual and everything can be handed out for examination at the end.
The instruction booklet is clear and easy to follow although the routine does require 'learning' so be prepared to spend a good afternoon folding and 'stabbing' banknotes.
So, for me, in a world of bicycle decks and sharpies, a beautiful, visual trick with just a banknote and a simple wooden pencil is like a breath of fresh air. A great effect!