Forums > Help! > flame clearance?
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Posted:
I haven't seen a topic on this yet but I need some information on flame clearance when spinning with fire. I'm very good at not whacking myself, but I might be a little too good at it with how far I keep my poi spinning from my body when they're lit.
I realize they need to be longer and heavier for my comfort (will be fixed by next week) and I'm hoping for more productive burns after that, but for now how close can the poi spin near your clothes and your body (especially with over head moves) while not risking any potential problems without hitting yourself?
I'm very curious about flame clearance in general and some stories about what happens and how close would be very helpful! And yes I'm pretty sure I know what a bonk would do but I'm wondering more about every instance other than bonks (although I wouldn't mind hearing about brushes/grazes too!)
Thanks again, just trying to improve more! *is slowly getting calmer and more comfortable with flames*
I haven't seen a topic on this yet but I need some information on flame clearance when spinning with fire. I'm very good at not whacking myself, but I might be a little too good at it with how far I keep my poi spinning from my body when they're lit.
I realize they need to be longer and heavier for my comfort (will be fixed by next week) and I'm hoping for more productive burns after that, but for now how close can the poi spin near your clothes and your body (especially with over head moves) while not risking any potential problems without hitting yourself?
I'm very curious about flame clearance in general and some stories about what happens and how close would be very helpful! And yes I'm pretty sure I know what a bonk would do but I'm wondering more about every instance other than bonks (although I wouldn't mind hearing about brushes/grazes too!)
Thanks again, just trying to improve more! *is slowly getting calmer and more comfortable with flames*
~Rock on!~
"As the pattern gets more intricate and subtle, being swept along is no longer enough"-Waking Life
(All you RLers this is epitome_of_lame *waves hello*)
GOLD Member
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posted:
As you know, I use heads very similar to the ones you're getting, and clearance is not really a big issue for the most part. The only time I've lit my clothing on fire is doing some UTL stuff with jeans with a bug frayed hole. Don't have frayed fuzzy parts and it should be fine. And as far as burning skin, the only time that's happened us from direct contact with the wick; I've done hybrids where my hand followed around the other poi head so that it was just outside the flames, and I had plenty of warning before it got dangerously hot. You might singe the tips of arm hair that passes through the flames, but that's about the worst of it. Hope this helps!
As you know, I use heads very similar to the ones you're getting, and clearance is not really a big issue for the most part. The only time I've lit my clothing on fire is doing some UTL stuff with jeans with a bug frayed hole. Don't have frayed fuzzy parts and it should be fine. And as far as burning skin, the only time that's happened us from direct contact with the wick; I've done hybrids where my hand followed around the other poi head so that it was just outside the flames, and I had plenty of warning before it got dangerously hot. You might singe the tips of arm hair that passes through the flames, but that's about the worst of it. Hope this helps!
p|.q|r:|::s|.s|s:|:.s|q.|:p|s.|.p|s
GOLD Member
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
Posted:
I've had plenty of hits, grazes, and all sorts. I've once lit a small part of my pants on fire and that was a frayed hole and I just blew on it, I didn't even have to bend down as it was on my thigh
As far as hitting myself. It only leaves marks, they come off with soap. I have only been burned once from hot metal on an over the head spiral wrap. I can plain touch my fire heads with no problem for a second or two, depending on how my spin has been going and how far in.
And grazing, the most that will happen is singe a little hair, It won't singe much even on a direct hit unless it stays there. But that is with K-1. Idk what you use, white gas is just a little bit more heat so more singed hair and easier to burn yourself.
I've had plenty of hits, grazes, and all sorts. I've once lit a small part of my pants on fire and that was a frayed hole and I just blew on it, I didn't even have to bend down as it was on my thigh
As far as hitting myself. It only leaves marks, they come off with soap. I have only been burned once from hot metal on an over the head spiral wrap. I can plain touch my fire heads with no problem for a second or two, depending on how my spin has been going and how far in.
And grazing, the most that will happen is singe a little hair, It won't singe much even on a direct hit unless it stays there. But that is with K-1. Idk what you use, white gas is just a little bit more heat so more singed hair and easier to burn yourself.
The only luck is bad luck.
Shut up before I stall my poi up your ass 
GOLD Member
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posted:
With white gas you singe a little bit more hair, otherwise the experience is pretty much the same.
With white gas you singe a little bit more hair, otherwise the experience is pretty much the same.
p|.q|r:|::s|.s|s:|:.s|q.|:p|s.|.p|s
GOLD Member
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Posted:
I've noticed that my lamp oil makes ton less fumes, noise, and has a cooler flame than K-1 yesterday, but there seems to be a slicker texture kinda thicker than water but thinner than real maple syrup. How do you think that would fit into the equation of closer quarters?
So the very edge of my flames that are very transparent where you mainly see the heat aura won't do too much to me other than some singed hair and heat basically? My fear is that spinning the poi too close to my body (think low reels and overhead moves in our blind spots), too slowly might cause a clothing issue so my tight practice sessions I have not been brave enough to transfer to fire.
*should figure out a good way to do a flame test on my old clothes*
Honestly the only times I've ever actually burnt myself has involved kitchen appliances and popping oil, those two should have a much hotter temperature (350-450 degrees F) than what's coming off the lamp oil on my poi so dividing that by half is a touch reassuring.
I've noticed that my lamp oil makes ton less fumes, noise, and has a cooler flame than K-1 yesterday, but there seems to be a slicker texture kinda thicker than water but thinner than real maple syrup. How do you think that would fit into the equation of closer quarters?
So the very edge of my flames that are very transparent where you mainly see the heat aura won't do too much to me other than some singed hair and heat basically? My fear is that spinning the poi too close to my body (think low reels and overhead moves in our blind spots), too slowly might cause a clothing issue so my tight practice sessions I have not been brave enough to transfer to fire.
*should figure out a good way to do a flame test on my old clothes*
Honestly the only times I've ever actually burnt myself has involved kitchen appliances and popping oil, those two should have a much hotter temperature (350-450 degrees F) than what's coming off the lamp oil on my poi so dividing that by half is a touch reassuring.
~Rock on!~
"As the pattern gets more intricate and subtle, being swept along is no longer enough"-Waking Life
(All you RLers this is epitome_of_lame *waves hello*)
GOLD Member
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
Posted:
dont worrY you wont have any problem unless your clothes are synthetic fiber.
dont worrY you wont have any problem unless your clothes are synthetic fiber.
The only luck is bad luck.
Shut up before I stall my poi up your ass
GOLD Member
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Posted:
haha, that's where I worry! I don't own a pair of pants that doesn't have %1-%2 spandex in them cause they don't fit right without a little stretch. They're denim and khakis, I really want to spin in my comfy khakis but because of how thin they are compared to my jeans and the wider bottoms (not huge just a little flare) I'd be much more comfortable in those than my tight jeans which would help me move and chillax...
Think the %2 spandex would be an issue? All my jeans are %1 and my khakis are %2 the other 98-%99 is cotton however.
haha, that's where I worry! I don't own a pair of pants that doesn't have %1-%2 spandex in them cause they don't fit right without a little stretch. They're denim and khakis, I really want to spin in my comfy khakis but because of how thin they are compared to my jeans and the wider bottoms (not huge just a little flare) I'd be much more comfortable in those than my tight jeans which would help me move and chillax...
Think the %2 spandex would be an issue? All my jeans are %1 and my khakis are %2 the other 98-%99 is cotton however.
~Rock on!~
"As the pattern gets more intricate and subtle, being swept along is no longer enough"-Waking Life
(All you RLers this is epitome_of_lame *waves hello*)
BRONZE Member
Just Icarus//Spinner//Pyro//Geek
261 posts
Location: New Zealand
Just Icarus//Spinner//Pyro//Geek
261 posts
Location: New Zealand
Posted:
I use kero, and I don't have any issues. The only time I ever came near to burning myself was when I lost grip on my staff, reflex reaction to catch it, and caught the wick.
I let go fairly quick, and the only thing that really happened was my hand got a little bit blackened from the flame.
I use kero, and I don't have any issues. The only time I ever came near to burning myself was when I lost grip on my staff, reflex reaction to catch it, and caught the wick.
I let go fairly quick, and the only thing that really happened was my hand got a little bit blackened from the flame.
GOLD Member
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
All High Dude, Ruler of What You Want
2,280 posts
Location: Trenton, MI, USA
Posted:
I do not believe 1-2% spandex will make a difference. If it catches ablaze, which should not happen unless you catastrophically fail, then it wouldn't affect anything as far as I know.
I do not believe 1-2% spandex will make a difference. If it catches ablaze, which should not happen unless you catastrophically fail, then it wouldn't affect anything as far as I know.
The only luck is bad luck.
Shut up before I stall my poi up your ass
GOLD Member
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
owner of the group property
1,277 posts
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posted:
SoD's right, it's not enough synthetic to show up. And if your clothes aren't really baggy (and they shouldn't be anyway) then you will definitely feel anything getting hot well before it gets to the point of combustion.
SoD's right, it's not enough synthetic to show up. And if your clothes aren't really baggy (and they shouldn't be anyway) then you will definitely feel anything getting hot well before it gets to the point of combustion.
p|.q|r:|::s|.s|s:|:.s|q.|:p|s.|.p|s
GOLD Member
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Putting the "FUN" in fundamental since 1981
787 posts
Location: Dover, Delaware USA
Posted:
They're not baggy, the same khakis in some of my practice videos on my face page. I'd be way more comfy in them and was scared to wear them for burning due to the small amount of spandex that gives them stretch, but I'll give them a whirl next time because I can dance in those pants the most!
Really glad some good info is coming out on this thread! Thanks Sis-11 and SoD!!!
They're not baggy, the same khakis in some of my practice videos on my face page. I'd be way more comfy in them and was scared to wear them for burning due to the small amount of spandex that gives them stretch, but I'll give them a whirl next time because I can dance in those pants the most!
Really glad some good info is coming out on this thread! Thanks Sis-11 and SoD!!!
~Rock on!~
"As the pattern gets more intricate and subtle, being swept along is no longer enough"-Waking Life
(All you RLers this is epitome_of_lame *waves hello*)
GOLD Member
member
173 posts
Location: Berlin, Germany
member
173 posts
Location: Berlin, Germany
Posted:
Unless they're over 40% or more spandex it shouldn't be a problem. Even then you could always spray them damp with a water bottle or use flame retardant solution, or wear thick all cotton leggings underneath so melting plastic will never touch direct skin, etc. Unless you're spinning with zippo it shouldn't be an issue.
Unless they're over 40% or more spandex it shouldn't be a problem. Even then you could always spray them damp with a water bottle or use flame retardant solution, or wear thick all cotton leggings underneath so melting plastic will never touch direct skin, etc. Unless you're spinning with zippo it shouldn't be an issue.
'There are two mantras in life, yum and yuk. I choose yum.'
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