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MOTO42 Loyal user Whitehouse Texas 225 Posts |
If this counts as a secret then I'll kindly take "Don't ask that" for an answer.
But, having seen it used multiple times, I can't help but wonder about what ignites it in the first place? Is it a sparker, or a strip of that stuff you strike "safety matches" on? What precautions do you usually take while you have pages of highly-flammable, chemical treated paper hidden god-knows-where on your person? Also, other than an impressive flourish, how useful is this stuff in sleight of hand effects/illusions? It seems like window-dressing to me. (That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to use it one day though, it is an extremely cool visual effect.)
"One man's miracle is another man's warm-up"
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jlareau Loyal user Henrietta NY / Chicago Ill 220 Posts |
Sometimes, my friend, window dressing can make all the difference if applied well. Flash paper can be ignited a number of different ways, from a regular lighter or open flame, to an extremely hot metal contact...all depending on the effect you wish to produce.
The small sheets of flash paper that you can buy at most any novelty stores are relatively safe in comparison with other pyrotechnic materials. Don't get me wrong --they can still cause damage, but flash paper is easier to handle and control vs. other materials. (I've done numerous shows walking around with loads of flash paper on my person and I've never had any ignite accidentally!) -Jon
Jonathan Lareau A.K.A "Jonny Card Trick"
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstein Feel free to check out my website www.jonlareau.com |
Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
I had a shooting wand go off in my pocket once. I just felt slightly warm for a minute, and then my money smelled funny.
The whole point is that flash paper burns almost instantly. It isn't thaaaat dangerous. Still though, be careful. |
Wiseguy5009 New user 16 Posts |
Is it safe to wrap a softer shell coin in Flash Paper and ignite it in your hand? Or would it be a good idea to deposit it on a table or ashtray first?
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Best idea is to set it off away from your person.
Don't be mistaken in thinking it doesn't get too hot, because it flashes so quickly. This belief would qualify to be called, as my Friend Steve Brown says; "a lie from the pit of hell, and it smells just like smoke!" The truth is that it gets very hot, even if just for a short time. The closer to yourself, and your clothes (or the clothes of others) that you get the fire, the more risk you run of the unexpected. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Wiseguy5009 New user 16 Posts |
So, in other words, best to put it in an ashtray or on a table? I am planning to use some flash paper with my Scotch and Soda set soon. I'm going to order FP in the next week.
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MikeTheRed Regular user 107 Posts |
Flashpaper may be stored wet.
I might be paranoid about it but I store my sheets wet and wrapped in foil and stored in the fridge. mike |
Dark illusionist Loyal user pough town new york 253 Posts |
I like to store my flash paper dry and in old Altoids tins. I also always keep some in the credit card section of my wallet for when I'm bored in a restaurant and want to do something cool with the candle
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MikeTheRed Regular user 107 Posts |
Fresh breath and a good way to store flash paper. Thanks for the tip!
mike |
Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
From Slim Price
Flash paper will ignite from just about any hot source, such as a lit cigarette. For an opening effect, you might palm a lit cigarette with a small ball of flash paper in the same hand. Touch the two together and you have a nice flash and cig production. Part of the opening of my old act was to roll a cig, and make it vanish. Further down this string there are questions about wrapping coins in flash paper. When you do this you will wind up with a coin sized circle of "tissue" under the coin, with a pencil or pen, you can anticipate this circle, and make predictions.
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
Scott Ocheltree Veteran user 364 Posts |
A nice gimmick I use for flash paper is a "Hand Flasher". It's a small metal cup, a bit bigger than a thimble into which you stuff a loose wad of flash paper, and a clip to hold it on one of your fingers to help palm it. It then has a flint wheel like on a cigarette lighter. I actually use this with flash cotton as its loose fibers ignite more easily from a spark than flash paper.
And yes, it is just window dressing but it gives the old "magical gesture" quite a kick! |
hackmonkey Inner circle England 1093 Posts |
I have burned myself with one strong brand of flash paper so you do have to be careful, never set it off on your plam, would be my advice.
One recent trick that uses flash paper is 'In a Flash' by Jay Sankey. But there are a multitude of uses for it, one thing I do is a variation of Eugene Burgers ash on plam. I draw a picture of their hand on the flash paper, set it off, picture vanishes in a burst of flame and the ash is in the specs hand. Always gets a good reaction, many a time they say they felt a moment of heat in their palm, the visual creates a mental reaction. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Up in smoke! » » What exactly sets flash paper off? Using it safely. And how useful is it really? (0 Likes) |
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