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I know this is a pretty trivila question but how much flash should I expect from flash paper.

I bought some for the first time from a local magic shop to try to enhance the end of torched and restored. I thought it also might help cover the clean up.

The package was positively scary! Endless warnings about flamability, storage care etc. So, I tore off a corner and took it well out of the house on to the patio. There, at full arms length I put a match to it. Thank goodness the neighbours weren't looking! Sure it burned much quicker and cleaner than ordinary paper but that was it. A quick burn but no real flash. It certainly wouldn't do what I wanted it for.

Have I bought a useless batch or am expecting too much in the pyrotechnic line?

experiment with bigger pieces. I only really use it for Sankeys "in a flash", and that uses a piece about 2" by 2" and that always gets the desired reaction....

(Mind you if you watch the video clip of sankey doing it, I suspect he has a 2' by 2' piece!!!!)

Yeah try with bigger pieces, and if you can (i.e. if it's safe), do it indoors - flash paper loses a lot of it's 'flash' property when used outside during the day.

Also, try leaving a sheet of flash paper out somewhere dry for an hour before using it - I'm not sure why, but this seems to help too. Leave it out 'to dry', cut a piece the size of a playing card then fold it in half twice - the results should be significantly better and probably nearer what you were hoping for.

Don't forget, though, that the specs don't know it's flash paper, and don't even know it's fast-burning properties, let alone the brightness and size of flame. If it disappears quicker than they expect, then the flash paper has still surprised them - even if it's not quite how you wanted it too.

I'd recommend you buy Jay Sankey's "In a Flash" and have a go with your flash paper then. You'll learn about how the paper behaves and also you'll have a superb effect under your belt.

I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter!

Keith Flint from Prodigy lives only 8 miles from me!

I do an effect with an appearing rock and I use two whole sheets of flash paper to cover the appearance... it makes a big flash but you can get burnt quite badly.

I have been burnt lots using flash paper, nothing too serious but my skin is used to it now and my hands have become quite heat resistant (not a good thing)

just experiment but please be very careful.
you might like to have someone with you when experimenting, just in case.

Be safe

Steve Dela

This is what I like about this forum!

You not only get sound advice but also fellow madmen!

From bannana and Zack advice on how to startt a moderate fire. Thanks by the way for the try it inside tip, that point didn't occur to me when I tried it out on a sunlit patio!

From Steve the great advice tempered with the warning that "you can get burnt quite badly". I know this was meant as a warning but I just have to try it now.

Thanks guys, I will let you know how I get on.

EDIT ONE: I have been searching around for Sankeys In A Flash but can't find it. Any ideas?

I've only seen In A Flash at Penguin Magic.

That's where I got it from!

TRY PENGUIN MAGIC