I've been thinking about adding some flash paper to my routine, but I am completely unfamiliar with it. If I have a piece on my hand, and I light it on fire, will my hand burn (I'll get the dunce hat, don't worry)? How hot does it burn? Do I have to worry about rushing my hand away if I do light something on fire?

Is anyone familiar with Gregory Wilson's Molotav Coctail (I believe that's the name) - his flash vanish of an ice cube? How safe is this? Things to note?

Other tips?

Thanks.

I have never had an issue of flash paper burning me. I have had it burn completly in my hand and in my fist. I have also had it in my face. We use it all the time for fire balls in wrestling. I don't see there being any issue. However, If you are going to use it in shows, Make sure its ok first.

I have never had a problem with it either. Just make sure you are careful and use common sense. It is fire, it WILL burn. It will burn your hand, some thumb tips, and even fabric (I tried, it wasnt pretty). Just after you burn it, throw it in the air. And always be careful. But don't worry, it is pretty safe. Ive had my 9 year old brother burn it.

As you hold the flash paper with your thumb and pointer finger and then light the opposite end, you can hold it until it burns pretty close to your thumb and pointer finger before tossing it into the air. If you toss it into the air too soon, the flash paper will fall to the ground and burn on the floor. That should give you some indication of the burn time. This is if you are using the normal size flash paper for effects.

Also there are varieties of flash paper> some burn fast, some slower.

I use the pads. They are samll, but a lot cheaper.

I use flash paper a lot and one time I had it land on the floor before it was out and it just sat and burned and then went out and left nothing behide(no burn on the floor) which shocked me. Later again I tried this at home and it burned my floor. So even though something may work once it may not work again.

Lucas

Yes. don't try any dumb experiments. I tried to make a fire wallet, lit the paper, and it burned the plastic in the credit card holders, and the fabric. By the way, Ive been looking for a fire wallet. Does anyone know where I can get a good quality, cheap, card to fire wallet? And while we are on the subject, does anyone know where I can get a fire cards gimmick? I heard they don't sell them anymore.

Morrisseymagic.com has tons of fire stuff. Good quality too.

Be careful with that stuff.

After the rock band burned down the house, fire marshalls frown whenever anybody mentions it. Check the fire codes (the law) in your area before you go throwing it around.

And if you do throw it around...throw it down...it's a lot safer that way. If you have to throw it up, do everyone a favor and look up first before you throw it to see exactly what is up there. Any cobwebs? Any peeling paint? Dust? Guess what...that stuff burns, too.

Flash paper won't burn your skin. You'll feel the heat like you pass your finger through a candle flame. It will burn the hair off your arms and hands and anywhere else you've got hair growing.

Flash bills have an ink that doesn't always burn completely. It could leave black sooty remains that float through the air and look like bleh. These sooty remains sometimes smolder, too.

Like I said, pal...be careful with that stuff.

The magic man
Flash paper has great effects out from it. But remember safety and how to store it when you are not doing a show. Flash paper is very unstable. Keep it in good fire proof container stored in a safe place.

This is the actual warning statement from a flash paper -Warning! Flash Pads use fire and are inherently dangerous. They are designed and sold to be used by professional adult entertainers. These items are not to be sold to or used by minors. Please read and follow all accompanying instructions before using Flash Pads or any other Fire Magic items.

I always burn flash paper without tossing it..but I'm quite experience with fire..those who are not comfirtable with it should reject this matter immediately..flash paper to my mind is harmless but it is fire and fire burns..i used to work with more dangerous kind of fire so flash paper is nothing.but being experimenting with fire had only thought me to be more careful with it..one more advice..DO NOT TRY TO MAKE YOUR OWN FLASH PAPER..many props are cheaper if it is self made and many people preffer to make their own gimmicks but flash paper is not one of them..i have heard of serious injuries taken place by those who tried..i don't even wanna mention the substance of flash paper....

I use flash cotton and even then I never hold it in my hand, I have a flint striker for that. I only use it once in my show, right at the start.

I've burned my hand with flash paper before. Not a bad burn. Just singed the hair and gave me a little red patch. It happened while performing the floating rose and I think it got a little damp in my pocket from sweat.

The stuff burns really fast though so if you use it correctly it's not that dangerous if it's just in your hand and you don't use to much. I'd suggest you pick some up and get familiar with it. Light a little piece and toss it in the air (Away from people of course). Then experiment and get to know it.

When I was about 12 years old I was at my grand parents cottage. There's no electricity there and everything works on gas. My grand mother let me help her light the oven. Little did we know the knob on the oven was broken and gas had been building up for who knows how long. I ended up with my face inside a ball of fire. Burned all my hair off my face and I had a big blister on the tip of my nose. I looked like a clown.. lol I was lucky not to get any 3rd degree burns.

I'm only sharing that to say that because of this incident I have a bit of a fire phobia. So I'm obviously very careful when working with fire. Becoming familiar with how it works helped me get past that and I'm sure it would be a good idea for everyone to get to know it before using it in a show. For your safety and your spectators.

Ron Jaxon