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Kevlar Wick

General Wick Info

Wick is fabric which is used to soak up fuel so that you can light it on fire and spin. While it is quite heat resistant, withstanding 650F (340C), it will still burn given the chance. So over time your wick will need to be replaced, a good way to keep it from burning is to put it out before the fuel has burnt off (when there is still a reasonable flame covering the entire wick). As for the temperature at which your wicks will burn depends upon the fuel you are using. In the USA the two most common fuels, White Gas (ColeMan Fuel) and Lamp Oil, burn at the same temperature, of about 750F(400C), which are fine while there is fuel due to the evaporation of the fuel, but once the fuel runs out the Wicks will burn.

If you are cutting a lot of Kevlar, or just want a really clean cut, use Kevlar Shears which are designed for this purpose. If you don't have shears, place your marked wick on a cutting board(or other appropriate cutting surface) and use a sharp straight blade. Do not use a serrated blade if you can avoid it, it will cut it much faster, but your wick won't last as long due to the fraying caused. You will need to work the blade back and forth repeatedly to cut through the Kevlar. Note that this will severely dull your blade.

Tape Wick

Most commonly used for Staffs, Clubs/Torches and Fans. It can come in widths of 1/2"(~1.25cm) - 8"(~20cm) with thickness ranging from 1/16"(~1.6mm) - 1/4"(~6.4mm). It often made up of a mix of Kevlar and Fiberglass; On occasion it has wire running through it to add to its durability, however this can be more of a hazard than a benefit.

Cutting Tape wick can be a challenge, as it will quickly fray once cut. When you want to cut Tape Wick use Masking Tape to mark off the cut, wrapping it around both sides of the wick. Once you have cut your wicks fold over the the ends and sew them down. You don't need to fold over much, this is keep the wick from fraying once the Masking Tape has burnt/worn off.

Rope Wick

Most commonly used for Poi and Rope Darts. Common ways it is used are the Isis Weave, Inferno Weave and Monkey Fist. It can come in widths of 1/4"(~6.4mm) - 1"(~2.5cm) with thickness ranging from 1/16"(~1.6mm) - 1/4"(~6.4mm).

When purchasing Rope Wick, you want to make sure it is cored, preferably with Kevlar ('Aramid') otherwise with Fiberglass. This is a bit of a misnomer as both contain a mix of Fiberglass and Kevlar, the names just indicate which is the more substantial part of the core. Aramid is a synthetic durable and heat-resistant fiber while Fiberglass (and cotton) are absorbent fibers which help your wick hold fuel. Getting Cored rope will mean that your Wicks will absorb more fuel as well as be more durable. Fiberglass cores can begin to show overtime which can cause irritation to your skin if you are working with your fire head.

Kevlar Thread



Kevlar thread is incredibly useful for building props without exposed metal, or for covering metal. There are two basic factors to using Kevlar thread. The first thing is that when you sew with Kevlar thread you want to have as little exposed thread as possible, else it will burn through. The second is to use several different threads to sew down the outside of wicks as individual threads they will break overtime. If your prop is held together entirely by thread, you will want to make sure the threads aren't burnt away.