Wax: traditional vs flexible

[Spongebob]

I'm in the market for sealing wax. After not using it for many years, I could use a brief education. I saw that this was discussed a little as part of a review in December. Here's my questions:

 

1) Is it really necessary to use flexible wax for sending correspondence through the mail? Some sites say the traditional waxes will get ground or chipped off in the post office. I've read elswehere that using a thin layer of traditional wax will avoid this problem.

 

2) Is any brand head and shoulders better than another?

 

3) How many sticks do you consume in an average year? Some vendors will only sell in batches of 5 or in packages of 4. I'd rather have individual colors, but not if I have to buy 5 sticks at a time!!

 

Feel free to add anything else that I should know.

Bob

[southpaw]

Hello Bob! IMHO/IME,

 

1) No, I use traditional wax and, by not producing a large, globular seal, most of them make it through just fine.

 

2) I've found Stuart Houghton to be excellent and quite durable.

 

3) I agree with you, which is why I purchase from http://www.letterseals.com/index.html. They sell seals, wax, etc. No affiliation, just a happy repeat customer. I have no idea as to my annual consumption, but I'd guess somewhere between 8-12 sticks.

 

HTH, southpaw

[DilettanteG]

I wish I had Southpaw's luck with the post office. My seals have never made it through the U.S. Mail. Instead, the only thing left is a greasy stain on the back ogf the envelope. Perhaps his application technique is simply better than mine?

 

I've only tried the traditional wax sticks.

Edited March 8, 2007 by DilettanteG

[Spongebob]

Well, scientist that I aspire to be...I'm gonna run a test. I just picked up some wax at Barnes and Noble and am going to send myself a letter and postcard.

 

It's "Aladine" brand, which I'm not familiar with, but it's worth a quick test.

 

I'll post a scan when the post brings them back my way.

 

Bob