Promised Jeff Gan that i would do a review...

Bought this 2nd hand a while back.

Below is the "official" advertisment, which is followed by my review. :

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Hot Leads by Jim Pace (The New and Improved Afterburn by Jim Pace) (RM90) (Close-up)
Imagine being able to hand out your business card in a way that your next client will remember for as long as they live. You remove your wallet and take out a business card. It comes out of your wallet ON FIRE!
You blow out the flames and hand them your card.
It works with your own cards. Do it over and over.
Includes Custom Designed, Black Leather Business Card Wallet and instructions.

YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD TO PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT
http://themagicwarehouse.com/closeup6.html#wa3365
http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=718

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My review.

Wasn't happy with the product I bought second hand because I found that part of the gimmick was faulty. However with a little bit of creativity, I modified the faulty part. I guess that changed the handling just a little but not significantly and not a problem at all. Just have to be a little more careful. The leather (?) business car wallet is nice and hardy so even with my modifications there was no visible damage. So if you ever get one and have a problem with the "faulty part", PM me.

It's easy to use and is as good as the official advertisment.

I have used it at least a dozen times and even once on stage, and everytime, it gets a big reaction. Just don't be tempted to repeat the effect. I experimented with the size of the fire I wanted to see burning my card, and even with a pretty big flame, I did not burn mysel! Now that's important :-)

And yes, it is reusable and can be done again and again, and when handled correctly, you can keep the flame burning on the card and still not burn the card.

My verdict. One of the best purchase I ever made. Thanks Forrest for the intro to this gimmick. Playing with fire is actually cool. I think I am ready to move on to more fire magic. Any one have any other recommendations? Oh, I occasionally use flash paper.

Paul,

thanks for the "real world" product review. Sounds like a good investment.

Is there anything besides the product that we need to purchase in order to use this product? I heard there are some gimmicks that require other items that are not included inside the package/item.

Heyz Paul,at one time I was so into fire magic with my magician friend Eric at MTR....at one time ya,haha then we kind of got fed up smelling like Zippo wholesalers and having blisters on our fingers.

I had Hot Leads two years back and it is really wonderful to use.A great way to present your bisness card.The wallet got stolen though.The only drawback is that if your bisness card is of low quality,the ink MIGHT smear.Your card will have a light smell of Zippo but who on earth smells your bisness cards?(i don`t know...maybe).

Paul,why don`t you go to Jim Pace`s website?there are many good fire effects there.See which one suits you best....whateva it is,don`t buy `PYROMANIAC' which is hugely advertised.I got the gimmick,and frankly....I don`t think you`ll like it,eventhough it has good reviews.Volcano wallet is good.Don`t get Finn John`s smoke from anywhere also,they forgot to put in the advertistment that it`s only suitable for smokers....I almost head down the wrong path after getting that gimmick,sold it.=).

Regards,
David Lai

David,

Thanks for the good tips and advice. Will google and check out the web site.

Jarret,

Guess David kinda answered your question. I was vague as I wasn't sure if being more specific would be giving away secrets and breaking review rules ... B)

I love the idea behind Hot Leads... was using it all the time when I got it over a year ago ^_^ The faces from astonished audiences simply thrills me... never did they expect Ning the girl-next-door to suddenly pull a flaming namecard on them :lol: It's an excellent way to get them to remember you as it certainly makes your namecard and presentation extremely memorable!

Wasn't aware the faulty of the gimmick though. I'm glad that you like it. Oh about fire magic, my recommendation will goes to Omega fire. Oh yeah about Finn John's smoke, don't you think Fred Kaps has a better one?

I`m know about Kaps version but have not had the oppoutunity to try it out.If you have the cash,go for Ultra Smoke 2000.I`m not really into smoke effects plus if I get one,they would be too many holdouts and bands on my body.I carry the M5,Shocking,and sometimes a holdout.To include another band will be crazyli uncomfartable to say the least.Finn John`s version is usable...if you smoke.I don`t.The 1st time I did it,my friends eere like.....Hmm,you started to smoke?.my whole body smelt of Cig smoke.

I've heard some scary things about UltraSmoke? How it stinks and it will corrode everything, even tarnish gold and the smoke is an active irritant.

Any truth in that?