J. Herbin Vs. Atelier Gargoyle - Sealing Wax Prizefight!

[LostArk]

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

Edited May 6, 2014 by LostArk

[Anneleen]

What an extensive comparison! You've done a really nice job on it.

 

The reason I'm still going for Herbin (though a little less enthusiastically now), is because Herbin is easier to acquire here. For Atelier Gargoyle, to know the price for shipping outside the US, you'd have to mail them first. From my experience with US shipping, it'll be about as much as the cost of the wax sticks themselves.

[Alexandra]

Nice work. Thank you!

[LightbringerDesigns]

Hmm, looks like I can't just delete a post. Seems like what I was saying before would probably require a premium account, and for some reason they won't take my money on that until I sit and wait 30 days.

 

 

Regards,

 

Harry R. Burger

Lightbringer Designs LLC

Wax Seals, Signet Rings, and Custom Creations

www.lightbringerdesigns.com

Instagram @LightbringerDesigns

Edited February 10, 2018 by LightbringerDesigns

[Barkingpig]

Thank you for bringing this post to life.

 

I hadn't read it previously & enjoyed the comparison provided. I have used both waxes & as the USER haven't ever really known which one was the best suited for withstanding the postal equipment necessary for delivery. Because of the colors available from Atelier Gargoyle, I have purchased more of their sticks.

 

Because of your revival of this post & inclusion of your information, I have just visited your site & placed an order for some nice colors I had not found available previously.

 

I appreciate your joining our site & hope you will keep us "posted" on further news!

[JakobS]

Having used both waxes in the U.S. Mail for a couple dozen letters each I cant say I have been disappointed in either arriving perfectly intact. Though having large amounts of wax can make a seal dramatic, making a thinner seal will allow it to survive the mail, without a drastic, or even noticeable decrease in the interesting aspects of the impression itself.

Edited February 11, 2018 by JakobS