Fireworks - which ones are best

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2807640 4-Nov-2021 18:05

neb: It was also a comment on the fireworks culture across different countries.

This is the aspect I was commenting on. These things can be picked up in retail stores around the world, so why are they off limits here?

As for culture... shape up or ship out [of the country and/or gene pool] I say.

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Dratsab

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#2807668 4-Nov-2021 19:35

SirHumphreyAppleby: As for culture... shape up or ship out [of the country and/or gene pool] I say.

Got to admit, I've never understood what the link is between the failure of a would-be Catholic terrorist from 400+ years ago and New Zealand.

Coming from the UK, I've never actually been impressed with the fireworks here in NZ but generally have no issue with them, although I've started leaning more towards public displays only over the last few years. The fireworks themselves are not the problem if used responsibly, but they are a problem when idiots get their hands on them.

Speaking of idiots, I was in Thailand for work with a group of colleagues a number of years ago and we got on the turps on our final night to let off some steam. One of the fellas had decided buying fireworks, which included a long string of the very loud double-happy types that are often lit for luck in some Asian cultures, was a good idea. Three of us wandered away from the larger group and one of the lads took the string into some nearby bushes, for some unfathomable reason, and lit them. We think he lit the wrong end as there was no delay to them going off, and he came sprinting out of the bushes with multiple contusions, some of which were bleeding, and a couple of holes in his clothes.

For the two of us that directly witnessed this, it was one of the funniest things we'd ever seen. Our view wasn't shared by a large group of Germans dining nearby as they dove, screaming, under their tables thinking it was a terrorist attack in progress. One of the Germans was very shrill in his approach to our group, which we'd rejoined, but was placated by our boss who assured him he took a dim view of the actions of a couple of idiots and promised those same idiots would be on a plane home the very next day.

Us three larrikins were full of giggles by this stage and a few minutes later walked onto a nearby beach with the box of fireworks. As the first firework was being extracted we heard a throat being cleared behind us and turned around. The boss was standing a few feet away shaking his head very slowly and deliberately. He did have a faint smile though.

neb

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#2807671 4-Nov-2021 19:51

SirHumphreyAppleby:
These things can be picked up in retail stores around the world, so why are they off limits here?

It does seem pretty strange if you're used to fireworks in other countries. For example someone mentioned Tom Thumbs earlier on and the fact that they're banned here. These are sold in Europe as Ladyknaller, which is something like "girly fireworks". So a firework that's so wimpy it's actually branded as a girly firework in Europe is banned here as being too dangerous.

Actually that random Google result turned up examples of some of the other things I'd mentioned, this one with an effects video, the one that throws burning sisal in all directions, the kid's crayons ones, and the snow looseners. Here's an effects video of the snow looseners.

Man, I miss those things...

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2807672 4-Nov-2021 20:03

neb: It does seem pretty strange if you're used to fireworks in other countries. For example someone mentioned Tom Thumbs earlier on and the fact that they're banned here. These are sold in Europe as Ladyknaller, which is something like "girly fireworks". So a firework that's so wimpy it's actually branded as a girly firework in Europe is banned here as being too dangerous.

I was told once that the ban on skyrockets and crackers essentially came about due to the crusade of one woman hell bent on having them banned, and she died before the ban occurred.

The reason crackers are banned here is not because they were dangerous* but because they were sometimes abused. I remember in primary school hearing about people sticking them in the ears of animals. For that reason I don't advocate bringing them back, even if the issue was exaggerated. Bringing back skyrockets and buzzy bees etc. would, however, reduce the noise issues we see now.

* Crackers like those Dratsab referred to are rather powerful. I once used some to ignite a fabric-covered wooden structure. Unfortunately, the people who built the structure used synthetic fibres, so it just melted instead of burning.

geekbhaji

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#2807937 5-Nov-2021 10:24

My experience so far. Bad boy fireworks are good. Price wise better than pyro company.

Also bad boy have more variety.
From quality perspective we have many failures, i miss those warehouse ones, all of them worked and they were half in price what we get from bad boy or pyro company.

Another problem is its hard to find any other fireworks retailer in these 3 days.

Bad boys were true to the word low noise, se were surprisingly quiet.

After few trials, I am still inclined to try more companies.

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mdooher

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#2807999 5-Nov-2021 13:19

My old cat actually loved fireworks. As soon as se heard the screaming noises she would go out and sit on the step and gaze at the sky for hours.

Our new kitten on the other hand... we shall see tonight I guess, although I have already put a curfew on the cat door.

I am yet to hear or see any so far this year, be interesting to see just how many people can be bothered

Matthew

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#2808007 5-Nov-2021 13:32

Trying to get hold of fireworks in Auckland is like trying to find Hen's teeth. Tried like 5 places all sold our or shut down, seems we found one now.

Also prices seem to be (excuse the pun) skyrocketing?

Whats the situation for those outside of Auckland?

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