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Page Four
-USING THE BASIC TORCHES-
(and eating fire for the first time!)
Surprise! Intermediate and advanced torches are actually on the next page. This page is squeezed in here so you might get a little use out of your beginner torches before continuing on.
First, a few minor details which were overlooked or missed in Page Three:
You're probably wondering about the correct length for a torch, and how to determine if yours is right. As always, I point out here that if it feels right for you, then it is. A shorter torch may be slightly easier to handle, but it puts your hand closer to the flames generated by the head. It will also heat up faster and possibly become too hot to hold. For some situations a very long torch may give a more impressive appearance to the audience, or serve well as a comedy prop. But the most comfortable starting length for a beginner torch is approximately 16" to 18", or the length of your upper arm (measure from chin-to-elbow). In other words, if you bite the head of the torch while holding it, the distance from mouth-to-hand should be about the same as from chin-to-elbow.
When making the beginner torches, there is no reason in the world why you MUST use coat-hanger wire. This is simply given as about the easiest method. Indeed, you could make a perfectly acceptable beginners torch by sniping off the business end of a flyswatter, or with a set of barbecue skewers. These would already have the loop on one end, and either is a bit more durable than a coat-hanger wire. If you happen to have some old aluminum clothesline laying around, that too would work very nicely. It's a little thicker than coat-hanger wire, but very lightweight and surprisingly durable in short lengths.
As for the twists and hook end of the coat hanger, there is also no reason WHY you must keep that twisted section on. If you'd prefer, snip it off and bend a loop into the clean wire just below where that twist was, THEN measure out 16", 18", or the length you've chosen for your torch to be. This would be just a little more effort, and would make your torches just a little smoother. It is really unimportant anyway.
If you have made your beginners torches by now, and you either are itching to get started, or have worked up the courage to go ahead and start, THIS IS IT, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, and possibly the point where you get your first burns...
For your first practice session, you will need your beginners torches, a container to dip them in (a 1-lb. coffee can works great for this), some torch fuel (to start, this may be either campstove fuel or lighter fluid), a cigarette-lighter or other fire source (don't use matches here, unless you are skilled at one-handed match-lighting), a glass of water, milk, fruit juice, or tasty beverage to help get rid of the aftertaste, a wet rag, washcloth, or towel for personal safety, and a bucket of water or fire-extinguisher just in case...
Although many performing fire-eaters keep a constant-burning source of fire onstage, such as a candle or oil-lamp, I would strongly recommend against this when starting or practicing. The constant flame only creates a fire hazard. Little things are likely to go wrong -you may drop a torch or accidentally spill some fuel or in your apprehension brush your sleeve against a prop and knock it over, or some other such minor thing. And you don't need an automatic source of ignition at a time like this.
Some say to use a wide-mouth glass jar for dipping the torches. Except for the very advanced, anything made of glass is an unnecessary extra hazard. Even then, it is still an extra risk, but you can't tell the old-timers that!
Forget about fuel for blowing. We are not going to do that this time around. This is only going to be to get you accustomed to the feel of the fire (torch) in your mouth.
Be sure your practice area is an open space, away from furniture, curtains, or anything that could catch fire. Look up and down as well. Do not work on a carpet or rug, and of course not anywhere near an automatic sprinkler system! Also, this may seem trivial, but be sure there is no smoke alarm nearby. I have set those things off myself. Yes, this initial torch practice is acceptable to do indoors, with the necessary safety precautions. A garage or workshop is preferable to a kitchen or living room, of course. If you are going to practice outdoors, be very aware of wind. It won't take much of a breeze to shift the flames enough to burn your face, especially if you are a beginner. Indoors, be aware of air currents from air conditioners, fans, and air vents. These little details are easily overlooked in the excitement of getting started with the fire, and can make the difference whether you are successful or not at this stage.
All set up and ready to start? -Okay. Put your torch(es) in the coffee can -yes, head end down. Set the can on the floor at least 6 or 8 feet from where you will stand. Pour or squirt your fuel into the can to a level about an inch from the bottom. Close up the fuel container and set it even further from you than the coffee can. Remember, these things are explosive if you should accidentally drop some fire on them. And in your first few attempts, you are very likely to drop a burning torch. Don't be concerned that the 1" level of fuel does not totally cover the torch heads. They will absorb more fuel than necessary.
Remove a torch from the can, allowing excess fuel to drip for a moment. Now give that torch a good hard downward swing, as if you were holding a fly swatter and swatting at a pesky bugger. This will shake off any excess that might otherwise drip down your shirt. This is a move that MUST be done every time you remove a torch from the fuel. It must become a habit to ALWAYS shake off the torch. There are only one or two exceptions to this rule, which won't come until later. The time will come when you, like all of us, will forget to do this. And you will be shocked out of your mind when you see the flames running down the side of your torch and down your arm. It will hurt, yes. You will be lucky if you don't get burned -maybe badly- when that happens. But you heard it from Mephisto first: it WILL happen, when you least expect it!
For now, you've soaked, removed, and shaken off a torch. Now, with the wet torch at a safe distance from the dip-can and the fuel containers, go ahead and light it with your lighter. Nothing to be afraid of here. It should light up immediately with a nice, bright flame, eight or ten inches tall, and a little smoke. Admire that flame. Get acquainted with your new stage partner. Be aware of the heat it is giving off, and reflect on the sheer beauty and power contained in this flame. Holding the torch nearly horizontal in one hand, touch the head of it lightly and briefly to the open palm of your other hand (we'll assume you've had the sense to pocket or otherwise get rid of the lighter). Be aware of the heat of the flame as it approaches your open hand. Then realize that as it actually touched your palm, it wasn't really that bad. If you make this move deliberately, when you pull the torch up and away from your hand, you will notice that a bit of flame momentarily sits on your palm after the torch itself has been removed. This is a natural effect caused by the torch moving away and leaving a small pocket of fumes still burning out. The understanding of this effect can be utilized in other effects in the future. Every little nuance about the nature of the fire and how it works should be stored away in your mind for future reference. Keep thinking and learning. Move your free hand up and down, being aware of how hot the flame feels at various angles: above, below, beside. Now blow this torch out, return it to the can, and repeat the removal and shaking off of a second torch. It is important to keep the time a burning torch is held to a minimum, in order to keep the torches from burning up all their store of fuel. When this happens, the wicking material itself will start to burn and smolder, vastly shortening the life of the torch head. This will eventually happen no matter how careful you may be, but there is no sense in hastening the process unnecessarily.
With a second torch shaken and ready, light it as you did the first time. Put the lighter down, and lift the torch above your head, again holding it approximately horizontal. Open your mouth and hold your tongue out, tipping your head back to about a 45-degree angle. Hold your breath and bring the torch down smoothly and quickly lick the bottom of it. Imagine the torch is a dripping ice-cream cone, and you are trying to lick the ice cream off the edge before it drips. This basic move should be done in one smooth, circular motion. The torch is held at a starting point about 8-10 inches in front of your face, you bring it down in a circular arc, lick, and keep it moving in a circle until it is back at the starting point. In this movement, you have done almost the same thing you did with your hand. The burning fumes are above the torch, not below. There is far less heat below the flame than above. You will not have a momentary flame remain on your tongue as with your hand, because of the downward movement of the torch. If, on the other hand, you attempt to touch the torch to your tongue and abruptly pull it (the torch) upward, a flame will momentarily sit just above the surface of your tongue, like it did with your hand. You can try lightly brushing your hand with the torch, and it will work the same. -No flame will linger. -Blow out the torch, replace it in the can, and take another (remembering to shake it off). You have just "kissed the flame!" Are you even aware that you have just performed one of the basic moves of a professional fire-eater? Try this again. No, try it a couple more times. The more times you try it, the easier it gets. Try this move without holding your breath -that is, breath gently outward. Observe the difference it makes on the flame. Remember, too, that if you do see a difference in the flame, your audience also will see that. Constantly breathing (or blowing) on the flame is considered cheating, and even though some do it as a general rule, it is poor form and really unnecessary.
When doing this, DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES. The natural instinct at first is to close your eyes. But you need to see that the torch is actually hitting your tongue and not your nose or cheek. Fight the urge to close your eyes. It won't help anything. It will NOT make it easier, and will do nothing to lessen your initial and natural fear of the fire. This basic fear of the fire is what we are trying to overcome in this process. Work at it a few times until you feel comfortable with it.
From this point on, it will be assumed that you now understand you must put out, and re-dip, the torch from time to time. Mentally give yourself about a minute, at most, to work with a torch before putting it out, dipping it (or removing another), and REMEMBERING TO SHAKE OFF EXCESS FUEL. With practice, you will learn to sense when your torches are beginning to run low on fuel. Until then, simply time yourself. No need for a wind-up timer or anything here. Just mentally estimate about a minute or so.
Do you feel ready now to actually "eat" the fire? If not, play around some more with touching your hands and tongue to the torch head. No need to rush into this before you are confident. DO NOT, ever, allow someone else to tell you when you are ready to proceed further. Neither I nor anyone else is qualified to do that. Only YOU know when you are personally ready.
If you feel ready now, great. Using a fresh torch, get into position, as before, but hold the torch at the same 45-degree angle your head is tilted to, and pointing directly at your mouth. Raise your arm so the torch forms a direct line from your mouth up toward the sky (or ceiling). This can be a bit scary the first time. But remember, you are in complete control here. YOU are holding this torch, and only YOU can move it in or out. No one is standing behind it ready to push it on you. Bring it down and onto your tongue, just as you did before. But this time, instead of wiping it on your tongue, move it down into your open mouth. The first couple times you do this, the natural urge is to blow outward. That is fine for your first try. Just don't blow all the air out of your lungs, and DON'T EVER INHALE. Remove the torch from your mouth in the same smooth type of motion you used when you licked it. Now breath a sigh of relief. You have just eaten fire, regardless of whether it was "technically correct" or not.
On successive tries, you can try cutting down that blowing to a light exhalation, and eventually, hold your breath totally. This is the effect we are working toward. Again, no need to rush into it. No one is watching, and if someone is, they are not there to criticize your technique. If they are, get someone else to help. It's always a good safety precaution and morale-booster to have a trusted friend standing by, but you don't need ridicule at this point. So far, if you have managed to simply get the torch into your mouth, you are doing fine. Now might be a good time to reward yourself with that drink you've set down. Take a break as often as you feel the need. Some people can work at this for hours without the need of a break or a drink.
One note here, if you are a cigarette-smoker. People will say NEVER to smoke around flammable liquids, such as we are using here. While I cannot go so far as to say this is totally false, I speak from personal experience when I say that a burning cigarette normally will NOT ignite any of your fuels. It's the open flame of the match or lighter when lighting the cigarette that is dangerous. A burning cigarette CAN ignite the fumes of these fuels, but it has never happened to me. I have even put a cigarette out by deliberately dropping it into a container of torch fuel. I do not recommend you do this, because the fuels we are working with here DO have the potential to ignite with deadly force. I only point this out to illustrate that it is not as horribly dangerous as people are conditioned to believe. But use common sense and good judgment, please. Smoking is bad for us all, and combined with the smoke and fumes of fire-eating, it's even worse.
This, in a nutshell, is the basis of fire-eating. From these basic moves, we build up a routine and experiment with other moves. If a person were to take a mouthful of gas and blow it over a flame, creating a spectacular "fireball", without going through the basics of handling and "mouthing" a torch, that person would never be a true fire-eater. They would simply be a foolish show-off, flirting with dangerous things they do not really understand.
(On to Page Five of the Master's Tips)
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