talkmagic.co.uk

Mike, some sterling information there.

Was it yourself who wrote the 3 part article for the bunny's tophat magazine?

I read that a while back and it went into more depth and had some incredibly useful info within, including the fact about metal containers...I thought of it as soon as I saw mention of them above.

...

"TheAge", the thing you should remember is that it does burn up very quickly, and although it gets hot and might singe a few things, you are not in much personal danger...

As has been said, store it in a plastic box or bag out of direct sunlight (I know that Lawrence once weighed some down with one of his transparent acrylic juggling balls in direct sunlight - it did indeed catch fire!) so don't leave it on your nice warm window desk when you leave the room, put it in a drawer.

Use small amounts when performing, and don't hold it over the spec or get them to hold it - throw it upwards slightly or drop it from a height. When using a flashpad sized piece, if igniting an open sheet (e.g. with a drawing on it) I tend to hold it for a few split seconds after lighting it at the other end - as it approaches your fingers you can then let go and it will finish with a slight "roar" but have gone out after dropping about 1 foot.

If you've been a bit silly while experimenting at home and find you've just lit your whole flashpad or huge piece of flash paper - just stay clear! There's nothing you can do, if you try to pick it up you'll just get hurt, and by the time you've gone to fetch some water it will have gone out, just stay well clear and deal with any little areas that have caught fire afterwards.

Flash cotton can be quite useful for some things - I use it for Anniversary Waltz when you just need to hold it under the cards for a little flash as you wave it over a candle etc - it is easier to lightly clip between your fingers and you do not have to worry so much about letting go because it burns that much quicker. When you need it to be paper i.e. for a drawing or to wrap a coin in, or for prolonged flash, fine, but don't overlook flash cotton if you need to cause a surprise, sudden flash- I would say in some ways it is safer.

Finally, I recommend buying sheets of flash paper and making your own flash pad. I have been disappointed by the quality of some flashpads, plus you can get a sheet of paper big enough to make your own 24 sheet flash pad for £3 (cheaper than most 20 sheet flashpads). The homemade flashpad will also be slightly bigger, making it better for In a Flash etc. You can also get sparkly stuff...!

Disclaimer: I'm sure the flashpads NUMS have are great value and great quality, I have not tried them yet

Flash pads are to flash paper what Bicycles seconds are to cards.

The flash pads are created by taking the trimmings of the flash paper and assembling them, rather than just throwing the scraps away. You might go through a flash pad that is every bit as good as flash paper, then again, you might just get your hands on a flash pad that burns slower than normal, or is harder to ignite than normal.

This is why flash pads are cheaper than buying the full pages (if you think about it, it should be the other way around - but it is a quality issue, therefore the price difference).

Mike.

I have never used flash paper but fancy giving it a go this xmas for the kids. You know the type of thing, production of a pack of cards or coin.
My problem is how can I introduce a lighter or candle into the routine or effect..


Your thoughts and ideas are very welcome.

Flash pads are to flash paper what Bicycles seconds are to cards.

Thats the biggest load of rubbish i heard in a long time. Unfortunately people will believe that and start spreading this story.

We manufacture flash pads and can say thats it is the exact same quality as flash paper, as it is the same paper just cut in a pad form.

Well, I beg your pardon. You, then, are one of the few companies who do this.

But, to call it rubbish...Well.

Don't mind me - seems I don't know anything at all. To my knowledge, though, that was always the point of the flash pad - otherwise, you just buy the paper and cut it to your own standards.

Mike.

Allot of problems on forums is people not knowing facts but assuming.

Flash pads are more convenient to carry around. Aren’t they?

I'm hesitant to add this, but I am going to anyway. When you buy flash paper make sure it is made by people who know what they are doing. Nasua chemical for example (spelling may be off) It is possible to make flash paper and there are some people who have very little knowledge in the subject except the instructions and get the bright idea to make it and sell it please don't be one of these people or fall subject to one. Here is the deal, IT IS BLEEPIN' DANGEROUS. More often then not it burns blotchy, you get a fizzle and then all of the sudden boom and if you are lucky you only loose your eyebrows. Also for those of you keeping this stuff you may want to chech your home owners insurance. It is classified as and explosive substance and in Canada at least falls under the jurisdiction of fire arms and explosives and if for some reason you have a fire in your house, and they find traces of it in your home there is a good chance your insurance will not cover the damages. And yes, I realize that it would be odd for flash paper to survive a fire, but if stored properly it most likely can.

'Tis true, bmat.

Gochos The Greek wrote:Allot of problems on forums is people not knowing facts but assuming.

I think that if you go back and read my posts, you will realize that I know the facts. I wasn't assuming anything.

Flash pads are more convenient to carry around. Aren’t they?

I wouldn't know. I've never felt the need to have anyone cut my paper for me.

Although, I do owe you an apology. I was thinking "strips" not "pads." Flash strips are the scraps left behind after the cut - not the same stuff that pads are made up of.

I got the two products mixed up. Again, my apologies.

Mike.

FRK wrote:I have never used flash paper but fancy giving it a go this xmas for the kids. You know the type of thing, production of a pack of cards or coin.
My problem is how can I introduce a lighter or candle into the routine or effect..


Your thoughts and ideas are very welcome.

At Christmas you say?

A candle shouldn't be too diffficult to have around at this time, for example those little toy trains and carriages that have a small candle in each, spelling out merry Christmas along the side.

Even ordinary candles wouldn't look out of place on a Christmas dinner table.

FRK wrote:I have never used flash paper but fancy giving it a go this xmas for the kids. You know the type of thing, production of a pack of cards or coin.
My problem is how can I introduce a lighter or candle into the routine or effect..


Your thoughts and ideas are very welcome.

Lots of flamable stuff hanging around at Christmas, be really carefull also producing a deck of cards? Are you doing card magic for Children? Hope they are older.

No problem Michael Jay

Makes more sence when you are talking about strips

bmat wrote:

FRK wrote:I have never used flash paper but fancy giving it a go this xmas for the kids. You know the type of thing, production of a pack of cards or coin.
My problem is how can I introduce a lighter or candle into the routine or effect..


Your thoughts and ideas are very welcome.

Lots of flamable stuff hanging around at Christmas, be really carefull also producing a deck of cards? Are you doing card magic for Children? Hope they are older.

I performing for adults, my kids have an amazing ability to work out most of the effects I do. There simple logic is always the best way to work out effects, but the TT gets them every time.

The flash paper was more for a ‘flash’ start to a few effects, as I am not experienced with it I think best to keep it simple.

Hi everybody,

I usually store my flash paper in a ziplock bag in the dark and in a cool (room temp) environment. The other day I went to get some and all of the paper had turned brown, smelled AWFUL, and it actually caused a chemical burn through the palstic bag and ruined the exterior of a luggage bag that it was sitting on. Somebody has since told me that locking it in an airtight bag is a bad idea because it can cause the paper to "sweat" and create a chemical burn.

Three questions:

1) Has anybody else had this happen?

2) I was advised to store it in a PAPER bag so it can breathe. Has enybody else stored it this way?

3) Also, I know it's shipped dampt. A lot of people here are saying to keep it damp. That sounds like sound advice, but how do you do that? How do you maintain the "dampness" or replenish the "dampness?"

Any and all help would be appreciated!

Sincerely,

Jim Munsey
Munsey's Magic