Melting Sealing Wax

[jbb]

JBB,

That is a beautiful setup you have — LOVE that photo! I'd better answer your last letter so I can receive one of your wax seals!!!!!

My wax seals are coming out pretty wimpy but you still better answer my letter because I love getting your letters.

 

BTW, I've got a second one of those brass candle holders that I will (eventually) polish and put in the Marketplace if anyone particularly takes a shine to it.

[GouletPens]

I use a Bernzomatic wind-proof butane lighter, it works AWESOME:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnCkmiA6oSo

[stonezebra]

I was using an ordinary candle for melting but discovered a cache of birthday candles in the cuboard and started using them with good results. I gently spin my wax stick to prevent drippage and promote even melting and it works very well.

[Rena]

Okay, I now understand that one must adjust technique for the brand of supple wax one is using. I've been working with Atelier Gargoyle's supple wax for years, but recently purchased a sampler pack of J. Herbin from Brian.

 

J. Herbin melts much more quickly and forms a thinner puddle than Atelier Gargoyle. Melt too much wax and it begins running across the flap... Lesson learned! So instead of using three to four matches, as I do for my smaller seals when using Atelier Gargoyle wax, one match is plenty. Instead of five to six matches for my larger seal, I’m sure two will be enough.

 

Just as I enjoy variety with pens, inks and stationery, now I’ll enjoy variety in sealing wax.

 

Wax impression using Atelier Gargoyle supple sealing wax and 3-4 matches:

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/AtelierGargoyleWax.jpg

 

 

Wax impression using TOO MUCH J. Herbin supple sealing wax (2 matches) — rather messy:

(JBB, note that I included my candle snuffer in this photo just for you. )

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/TooMuchWax.jpg

 

 

After practicing, here a couple pleasing wax impressions with the J. Herbin using one match:

(Once again I tried melting over the candle flame and daubing the stick on paper, but the messy splotch just to the left of the Herbin wax stick is the miserable result.)

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/OneMatchSeal.jpg

[jbb]

Nice pictures Rena!

[Rena]

JBB, the envelope in photo #2 is on its way to you.

[jbb]

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/TooMuchWax.jpg

JBB, the envelope in photo #2 is on its way to you.

Oooh, pretty. YAY!!!! Can't wait. :clap1: :clap1: :clap1:

[1point1mm]

Well will you take a look at those photos! Way to go on those shots Rena. The second one seems to "capture" my attention. Maybe my [pen]chant for the flame?

[Enai]

 

After practicing, here a couple pleasing wax impressions with the J. Herbin using one match:

(Once again I tried melting over the candle flame and daubing the stick on paper, but the messy splotch just to the left of the Herbin wax stick is the miserable result.)

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/OneMatchSeal.jpg

 

Very nice and informative photos of your results, Rena!

 

What is the seal on the left an image of? I can't reconstruct it, but I'm sure that's just my brain. :blink: Is it a lion? A dragon?

[Northwoods]

Still trying to get that "perfect" seal going. . .

 

Perfection is boring. Celebrate the flaws—they bring uniqueness to each seal.

[Rena]

Thank you, 1point1mm. Ha ha, yes, playing with fire is part of the fun of sealing wax.

 

Enai, Your eyes do not deceive you — it's a "dragon lion." I thought it was a lion when I bought it, and then one day looked closer and thought, no, wait, it's a dragon! Then I looked closer still and realized it was both.

[Enai]

 

Enai, Your eyes do not deceive you — it's a "dragon lion." I thought it was a lion when I bought it, and then one day looked closer and thought, no, wait, it's a dragon! Then I looked closer still and realized it was both.

 

A dragon-lion, even better! BTW, 1 matchstick to make a seal sounds efficient.

[Silas]

I use a Bernzomatic wind-proof butane lighter, it works AWESOME:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnCkmiA6oSo

 

I have to say, Brian makes a great video! I bought a Bernzamatic on ebay for $2.88 and then bought a couple of wax sticks from Brian (along with some great De Verges paper) and got my seals in today and tried it for the FIRST time.

I followed Brian's instructions, down to putting my seals on a cold ice pack, and did a great seal the very first time!

Wow! It really IS as fast as he shows. Now, to order more different kinds of seals and waxes!

 

(Does this EVER end?)

 

Mitch

[ehoh]

 

(Does this EVER end?)

 

Mitch

No, I don't think so! I keep learning about new pens, inks, paper, and now waxes from other folks on this forum. Just when you think you might have enough of everything on that list to last a lifetime, you find out about this great product you just have to try.

 

Oh well, at least it's fun! Nice to hear you were successful with the wax seals on your first try! I found Brian's video quite helpful, too.

[Northwoods]

If using sticks, I use a torch lighter. It works quickly and nicely on the Herbin supple wax. Otherwise, if I'm using pellets of other wax, a spirit lamp and spoon is my preferred method.

[Chevalier]

Please be very careful using any kind of blowtorch (or comparable lighter) to melt sealing wax.

There are some kinds of better sealing wax, that might go off in your face, causing horrible burns.

The same is true for melting spoons, the wax might bubble and squirt around, if too much heat is

applied.

 

Just make sure that you don't overheat it and everything is fine. Usually a normal flame (candle,

lighter or "oil lamp") will do anyway, you just need to roll the wax bar in your hand, until

enough wax melted. It just takes a little experience to make perfect seals this way.

 

You know, better safe than sorry.

[Chevalier]

Oh, I forgot one thing. An old friend told me many years ago, that heating up the wax that much destroys the finish and might result in shortened durability (in case it's a decoration seal). At least the wax from Abraxas seems to loose a lot of it's shine.

[chud]

I have to say, I think there may be a touch too much stress going on with some of these things. There probably is no perfect best way to do it... but there are A LOT of not quite perfect ways that work just fine; remember, in times past this was not an art so much as an everyday skill (a very practical one) and if it worked it was good enough.

 

I find torch-style lighters to work well, but so do candles and matches and traditional lighters. (Tried a heat gun once - okay, that didn't work so well. Moved too much air. Great if you're looking for a Pollock-esque spray of wax droplets across your envelope though. )

[chud]

Please be very careful using any kind of blowtorch (or comparable lighter) to melt sealing wax.

There are some kinds of better sealing wax, that might go off in your face, causing horrible burns.

 

Eh, er, well... okay, better safe than sorry, I agree, and don't take unnecessary chances (and I guess it's sealing wax, what chances are necessary, really?).

 

That said -- I've never really heard of any problem like this nor experienced anything remotely scary along these lines, frankly. Unless you're using a BIG torch, like you'd solder plumbing (not electronics) with, I really doubt you're looking at anything more dangerous than a drip of wax on your thumb.

 

Which does hurt.

[Enai]

I have to say, I do find the image of a letter thoughtfully and leisurely written, and then using a torch lighter to seal it a bit...incongruous. Bugs me a bit. Now that's just me---don't go about flaming me. :ltcapd:

 

*ducks to avoid the tomatoes*