J. Herbin Brass Seal And Supple Wax

[sygyzy]

I just posted this review on my blog and I'd like to share it here with the members. This is my first foray into seals and waxes. Would love to hear your feedback.

 

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When my Canadian friend sent me a handwritten letter and requested I reciprocate, I knew, like it or not, I would have to take the final step to complete this trilogy of words. I was already knee-deep in ink and pens, so stationary was not far behind.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4866868413_bd220b2f20_z.jpg

 

I recently ordered some ink from Goulet Pens and was impressed with the personalized letter he included and, in particular, the wax seal. There’s something just so romantic about the idea I knew I had to have it too. I ordered a J. Herbin brass seal, wooden handle, and four supple waxes to start off with.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4867475308_5ca4de0083_z.jpg

 

The delivery was quick and the items were packed well. The brass seal itself looks to be of average quality. There were no obvious fit or finish issues though the adhesive gum they used to attach it to the paper was not of the “easy-to-remove” variety. In fact, I still have half the residue on my seal. This is not a big concern because it’s hidden by the handle.

 

Ah yes, the handle. It is terrible. The fit and finish are horrendous and it just looks and feels cheap. I cannot believe it cost as much as it does. The finish (literally, the stain/sealant on the wood) is not smooth and goopy in parts. The worst is the brass wring at the bottom near the threaded post is the wrong size and it looks like they used hot glue to attach it. I guess this is a moot point once you screw the handle onto the seal, but I was expecting more.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4867488146_d42799f4d5_z.jpg

 

The wax is great. It’s really easy to heat up using a propane torch (demonstrated

by Brian). You only need to count to three, or wait until you see it dripping, before it’s ready. Compared to Brian’s seals, I need a lot more practice. I haven’t been able to get a consistent thickness plus I don’t think I’ve laid enough down. If you decide to go this route, I would recommend getting the individual sticks so you aren’t stuck with a four-pack of the same color.

 

At a little over $25 for the handle and seal, plus $4.50 per stick of wax, this is not a cheap venture. However, I think it’s worth the cost and should last me a while considering I rarely send letters. I don’t have much experience with seals so I don’t know what a reasonable quality to expect is but I suspect J. Herbin seals (the brass, not the wax) are probably at the bottom of the totem.

 

More pictures on my Flickr

Edited August 6, 2010 by sygyzy

[Truppi327]

Nice review. I love the clear closeups of the seals where you see that little curly-q. This just makes me pine for a seal and some wax of my own. (damn budget!)

 

Ah yes, the handle. It is terrible. The fit and finish are horrendous and it just looks and feels cheap. I cannot believe it cost as much as it does. The finish (literally, the stain/sealant on the wood) is not smooth and goopy in parts. The worst is the brass wring at the bottom near the threaded post is the wrong size and it looks like they used hot glue to attach it. I guess this is a moot point once you screw the handle onto the seal, but I was expecting more.

 

Brian was making some really nice hand turned wooden seal handles to be used in lieu of the cheap, mass-market ones (sorry J. Herbin!). But then he expanded his offerings of ink and, unfortunately, doesn't have the space and time to make more wood handles.

 

Hopefully if we all hound him enough he'll be able to someday make another batch. Cuz it's not like he's busy enough already .

 

No affiliation other than being a very satisfied customer and follower of Brian's great blog.

Edited August 7, 2010 by Truppi327

[777]

I've been thinking of buying one of these for some time now. I just never get around to saving up for it.

 

Excellent review and thanks!

[Northwoods]

Nice review. I have some of the supple wax but haven't used it yet. What I really want in a seal is a deep engraved bespoke seal. I keep imagining what design I would like on it and I want to be sure because that would be an investment, not a throw-in-a-drawer when I'm tired of it.

 

Oh, slight nitpick: It's stationery, with an 'e'. If stationery were stationary, it would sit in your desk and never reach its recipient. I've seen this word misspelled by shops selling the stuff, too.

[sygyzy]

Good eye Northwoods. I hate making those kinds of mistakes so I am glad you pointed it out.

[Stargazer34683]

Excellent review. Glad I searched the forums. I was almost about to buy one but was on the fence about it. I wanted a more gothic letter anyway.

[GouletPens]

Thanks for all the kinds words, everyone! I have been obsessed with wax seals. Since April when I started doing them I have done (an estimated) 1,000+ seals. I've had some practice! Each one I do is still as fun as the first, that's something that's pretty rare since I tend to change hobbies frequently!

 

It's true, I was making some really nice wax seal handles, and I really enjoyed them, but my business has taken over my life! I had to take over half of my workshop, and it will soon all be taken over. I purchased a shed just the other day to move my tools out into so I can take over my entire garage for business use. I am literally maxed out on space, and I can't expand to carry Noodler's or Rohrer and Klingner without more space I am looking at getting custom handles made though, don't worry. I'm in talks with a reputable craftsman about making some new wax seals handles....more on that later!

[khymeera]

I don't have a seal from j.herbin, but I do have their burgundy supple wax that I used with another seal. It leaves great impressions and it has proven that it can withstand the USPS. I haven't had any problems with it at all. Love it!