Forums > Technical Discussion > Fire Retardent

Posted: 3rd Sep 2008
I've also been a complete failure finding anything for this. To be honest I don't think you'll have much luck, from what I understand there isn't anything you can use for more than a few seconds and while juggling wick-covered balls you'll not only be holding the flaming balls for lots of the time (there is actually a surprisingly long dwell time in juggling) but you'll also be getting the balls covered in your gel/foam stuff meaning the balls burn less and your hands burn more with each throw.

Having said that, if you find anything please post it! I'd love to be able to include fire ball juggling in some performances but the problems with the water and glove method mean a barely even pick them up in practice sessions.

Working hard to be a wandering hippie layabout. Ten years down, five to go!

Posted: 3rd Sep 2008
Umm.. instead of gloves and water (seeing as there is a steam issue here and steam burns are really bad) Maybe you could use kevlar gloves? It may be hard to find kevlar gloves that fit well though (I have tiny hands and definitely wouldn't be able to juggle in them!)

Fire retardant wise - Our friend is sourcing some from China but so far has had incredibly annoying service from the company, i.e. they keep sending the wrong product, he sends it back and rings them, they send the wrong product again...

When we do FINALLY receive some of the stuff, we'll try it out and tell everyone about it.

Posted: 3rd Sep 2008
Awesome man, cheers.

For now I'll just use something like this:
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1051896/make_a_fireproof_glove/

That looks pretty genuine..yeh?

Posted: 4th Sep 2008
The reason for the water is that it stops paraffin transferring onto the glove and setting your hand alight. Although it doesn't always work TBH.

Working hard to be a wandering hippie layabout. Ten years down, five to go!

Posted: 5th Sep 2008
Leather gloves anyone?
Leather doesn't burn far as I know... And theoretically it shouldn't soak up paraffin or kero, right...? Anyone try this? If so, what were the results?

Real name: Sjors
Gender: Male
Age: Almost 22
Location: Uden, the Netherlands (when not on the road)
Disciplines: (Fire)Poi, Firebreathing, Diabolo
Learning: Staff

Posted: 5th Sep 2008
Kevlar gloves will tend to absob fuel and could at some point catch alight - then you've got the problem of getting a burning glove off...

I've heard Leather gloves are somewhat better in this regard but will still absorb fuel, plus they are usually stiffer and reduce the amount of "feel"/fine control you have.

Written by: Doc Lightning talking about Marmite in Kichi's Intro thread

I have several large jars of the stuff. I actually like it... a little. And don't tell anyone I admitted to it.

Posted: 8th Sep 2008
I use leather gloves to chuck with. they are female leather gloves and hence were already soft to start with. I doubt I could chuck with men's bikie type gloves.

I have never had a problem with them absorbing fuel or becoming alight, but I'm not saying it's not possible.. and of course I never put the soaked wick directly on my hand and just held it there.

Posted: 19th Sep 2008
I use tight leather driving style gloves for my palm torches. They have a thin cotton lining and are soft thin leather. I use them with no problem to just wrap my hand around a wick to put it out. The only issue I ever had was getting paraffin all over them, when I do breathing. Doesn't always matter, and the leather itself has yet to burn. No absorption problems yet.

Double leather work gloves are absolutely safe for gripping flame, the driving/women's variety are PROBABLY good enough, and probably have better grip. Even if they do eventually soak fuel up. that just means they are a temporary solution that bares some regular replacement.