Hello I am looking to buy some flash paper for some of my tricks and have come across some pretty cheap stuff on eBay I just wondered is it dangerous to buy cheap flash paper,is it unreliable and dangerous or a good deal?
thanks

Perhaps when buying something that burns near your hands and face price may not be the primary concern.

Well made flash paper can be dangerous and unreliable.

Without knowing your source there is no way to have an actual answer.

Years ago, I bought some cheap "offs", the trimmed edges of flash paper. It burned a lot slower, which also means it had time to generate more heat... exactly what you DON'T want flash paper to do. Pay the money for professionally made flash paper from a reliable source.

Ok I will buy higher quality stuff thanks where should I buy it from any suggestions?

Dorian... if you're in the UK (as I am) then reputable dealers are pretty easy to sus out if you just look at their website - not sure I'd trust someone who only trades on ebay, but ok if they have a website + an ebay store. In UK Prop dog, magicbox & alakazam are good on line stores.
Be aware that many reputable dealers sell flash paper DAMP. Ask their advice on how to dry it. Its much safer to buy damp. Fires have been caused by flash paper by spontaneous combustion or if a spark hits them. A Uk ebay dealers house was burnt down & son tragically killed within just the last year or two... it can happen to someone having just a bit for their own personal use at home as well. Take care.
Btw, when using in public eg table hopping be particularly wary of lighting flash paper near women's hair (spray/lacquer is highly flammable.)

Yes the entire safety discussion is another matter. A good and often overlooked subject.

I store mine in a tin can with the top off. If it lights on its own the flame will safely shoot out the top and into the air on a place I want it to without trapping heat

Let the paper dry, then store it in a wooden (cigar) box.

Awhile back I got as hoping to save on flash paper. Looked up how to make it. After reading up I got scared to death of the safety issues and developed greater respect for getting quality flash paper. Learned from dealer to store it in old metal ammo box.

There is something quintessentially darwinian about cheap flashpaper...

I chose not to go there, but yep.

An amusing story related to flash product and an (almost) Darwin award.

While in High School, I was in a magic club. We had a picnic on chilly fall day. We build a campfire. One guy had a bottle of flash powder. He opened it up, holding it over the fire, he poured some in thinking it would create a really cool "poof."

Unfortunately flash powder acts much like a flammable liquid. The flame traveled up the stream of flash powder. The bottle explodes like a war movie special effect. The glass shatters. By some miracle, the guy gets some 1st and 2nd degree burns on arm, but no glass cuts.

Ahh...fun times...

[quote]On Dec 13, 2016, magicalmilton wrote:
There is something quintessentially darwinian about cheap flashpaper... [/quote
Yes. It raises the IQ of the rest of the heard.

I can't stop laughing :-D

I bought one cheap batch off ebay and one high quality at my local magic shop to compare. The cheap one went in the sink then in the bin after two tries.

Way too hot, the paper consummed unevenly to the point the tip of the sheet (the last bit to be consummed) was beginnig to fall when it caught fire. If in a very controlled environment, or on stage I might use that. IF. But I won't risk burning my hand or a member of the audience just for the 6€ I saved.

That doesn't mean that high quality flashpaper is safe! But that's althemore important to use trusted brands. If coins [ could hurt you or your audience, I would'nt use cheaper ones!

A while back my friend Dennis Loomis gave Tom and I a DVD on how to make Flash Paper.

We were all laughing about the gift and we were asking if we had done something to offend him.

We have never even watched it but it was good for a laugh.

Dennis had a great sense of humor. I still miss him.

-Mary Mowder