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Waxes used: - J. Herbin supple wax, Ivory - Atelier Gargoyle sealing wax, Ivory Paper used: - G. Lalo Verge de France 100g laid paper (envelope) Method: - Chunk of wax placed in brass spoon and heated over a denatured alcohol lamp. Round 1 - Detail The impression made in the J. Herbin wax (left) has what I would describe as "higher acutance," thus appearing "sharper;" however, there is no less detail in the Atelier Gargoyle impression. http://i.imgur.com/RTxnQEzl.jpg Winner: Tie Round 2 - Mailability I conducted this test in two phases. In phase one, I slowly folded the envelope through the middle of the seal. The J. Herbin wax cracked a fold angle of around 60°, while the Atelier Gargoyle wax did not crack, even when folded 180° and the paper creased; impressive! http://i.imgur.com/wdhshzLl.jpg In phase two, to simulate postal sorting machines, I passed the seals through a vegetable peeler. http://i.imgur.com/JCZLFzel.jpg The J. Herbin wax did not fare the vegetable peeler well. The Atelier Gargoyle wax remained intact(!) during this test, so I continued mauling the seal with a peeler until the paper actually tore (note the "tear" did not go through the lining of the envelope). I believe even this could have been avoided if there weren't so much "blobbage" protruding from the seal (my fault). http://i.imgur.com/xjRa2G3l.jpg Winner: Atelier Gargoyle Round 3 - Properties Specific heat: The J. Herbin wax has a markedly lower specific heat than the Atelier Gargoyle. The former (using my method) easily overheats, causing bubbles to occur. I found the latter immune to accidental overheating; however, it did cause the seal used to make the impression to get hotter. Both drawbacks can be mitigated with various techniques. Viscosity: The J. Herbin wax is much more viscous at a given temperature. I found it possible to pour the J. Herbin wax onto the page and "sift" the paper to form the correct blob shape. With the Atelier Gargoyle wax, I found it easer to use the spoon or the wax stick itself to shape the blob. I prefer the less viscous Atelier Gargoyle, but it's really a matter of preference. Smell: I didn't think I'd be including this one till I noticed the Atelier Gargoyle wax smelled like yummy incense. The J. Herbin wax smells like burning wax - not a bad, but not better! Winner: Tie IV. Cost Each stick of Atelier Gaygoyle wax is, as measured by eye, at least double the volume of each stick of J. Herbin wax. Thus, the Atelier Gargoyle wax is 25% cheaper by volume. Winner: Atelier Gargoyle Conclusion For use on documents or anything that won't be on the exterior of a piece of mail, I would be happy to use either wax, though I would prefer the Atelier Gargoyle. It has superior properties, smells delicious, is cheaper, and is sold by the very friendly proprietors of ateliergargoyle.com (no affiliation). Winner: Atelier Gargoyle