I open this post to know if somebody wants to share some ideas how to get spectators' attention using a fire wallet.
I mean in which routine you use the fire wallet as an opener?

thank you

I'm not sure what your question means as I'm not aware of another way to grab someone's attention other than simply striking a fire? Caz that in it of itself, is an attention grabber.

David Stone has some ideas in his book Close Up The Real Secrets of Magic. I've been using a fire wallet as my opener followed up with Extreme Burn.

Have you had an opportunity to practice much with Hand Out 500?

Not yet! I had that purchase rejected by the wife! I went over the magic purchases for the month. I have to wait.... but it's on the want list.

I've stated many times here that I think the use of a fire wallet or flash paper close up in a strolling situation is a bad idea....especially to "get spectators attention" as you said. Some adults are very skittish around fire. I discovered this once when I used a fire wallet and had an entire family start screaming. I apologized and left immediately. I later discovered they had been the victim of a bad house fire. One of the children, (about 7) was in tears after I walked away. It's really just not worth it. And if you are using it to "get attention" I would say that is a crutch. If you are a performer, you should have enough of a personality to just walk up and introduce yourself to someone without resorting to pyrotechnics.

I agree with Pepka, don't use the fire wallet only as a way of getting attention. Walking up confidently, and being friendly with good vocal projection is enough most of the time. In David Stones The Real Secrets of David Stone dvd he states he started using fire wallets as he was at a holiday resort performing for tips and everyone was drinking/drugs and they were ignoring him. So by going up to someone with 'did you loose a wallet' people were naturally interested, and then the fire lit to show he was a magician. So he pretty much had to do something to get attention or he wouldn't get paid, different deal if you're getting paid for your gig by the booker/establishment though.

However if you are looking for tricks that use a fire wallet, get the wallet that doubles as a card to wallet and produce the fire before you remove their card. I also think it's better to perform extreme burn first before opening up the fire wallet, that way you can talk about the IRS burning a hole in your wallet after producing all the money etc

I have a friend who is one of the top magicians in the country (UK) and he uses Jim Pace's Hot Leads for handling out business cards which works well for him.

Fire wallets seem to smell horribly of lighter fluid and that is a real turnoff around food.

I don't think the guys who use them can smell it anymore because they always minimize a big drawback.

-Mary Mowder

The Fire wallet is an awesome tool for the professional walk around magician. IMHO, the hardest thing about walk around magic is the approach. The FW can give you an indication about the mood of tables or groups around you. Without some input, you just never know the dynamic of a group you are approaching...did they just lose their jobs? Are they talking about a divorce? A death? If you use the FW at a table and notice surrounding tables smiling at it and interested, you can be more comfortable with an approach. Making cold approaches all night and all your walk around magic career is not easy. Use all the tools available. Use them judiciously.

Mary, I never, (well, almost), use my fire wallet indoors. One, for the smell of the fluid, Two, don't want anyone yelling FIRE inside a crowded building.

I use a Fire Wallet in my restaurants all the time. Zippo make a low odor fluid which does indeed have very little odor. I've used the fire wallet for years without complaints from customers or restaurant managers/owners. People love it and often request it. I use it sparingly because I don't want to wear out the dramatic effect.

FIre wallet is my must have when I am working

Good opener, simply by asking " Did someone drop a wallet ? "

Then they will knwo who you are right away

Mary, this is why I stopped using them years ago. I totally agree.

By-The-Way Jamie, Wish you could see the reactions I am getting with Industrial Revelation, Best prop I ever bought!

It's a fun toy. I love my fire wallet. I have never used it in a show. For one thing, though I'm usually not one for political correctness, there is a valid concern that some people will freak out. Most of the time, I figure that's their problem, but when I'm performing, my job is to entertain. Second, the smell, though I think Mary exaggerates a bit, is not something I want to force upon anyone (and, though I think she exaggerates its severity a bit, they DO smell of lighter fluid). Third, everyone and his dog already knows about fire wallets. If I'm performing, I want to do the impossible, not something everyone knows you can buy for a few bucks down at the magic shop.

As an opener, it raises another issue, which is that I never go into my magic "cold." They see magic after I've introduced myself and asked permission to invade their table space. I don't force anything on anyone. And of course, by that time, using a fire wallet as an opener just seems silly, because the surprise factor is gone.

The one (and probably only) time I'd use it professionally is if it found a space in a parlor or stage show. Unless I get a good idea to do that, mine will remain a toy and not a professional tool.