Not really. The secret is in the application technique used when waxing the surfboard. Yes, there is a way to wax a board that will not allow the wax to flake.
Yep, can’t disagree with that, in the old days I’d pretty much just attack the deck with the wax…no technique at all!
Yeah, it was the smell that stuck with me all these years and its taken a lot of research and lab work to even get close to the original formula. I think I’m pretty close now and it really does smell pretty darn good again after all these years! My 1972 original still has a faint scent, but age as brought out the smell of motor oil over the actual scent, so sniff testing as been time consuming to say the least. I’d say this is amongst the best smelling wax on the market and fairly unique amongst the generic mass produced brands. These days wax seems to be sold on traction, rather than the smell!
Traction is good, but most current waxes are way to sticky/gummy, for my taste. One of the things I picked up early, is after waxing your board on the beach, and paddling out, was to sit away from the lineup and scour your wax bar into the soles of your feet. Yes, wax your feet. Makes a big difference on the first few rides, especially in big surf. Both Jim Fisher, and Buzzy Trent would do it. I figured if it’s good for them, it’s good for me! And it was.
Bill
That must be why all the older guys that stayed way outside were always laughing! Always thought they were crazy or high! LMAO…
That Surf Wax out of Redondo Beach was the first to be marketed as temperature specific. It came in three colors, red, blue, and green. Each color corresponded to a water temp range.
Hey know you don’t like the “purple bar” but us “locals” supported Rusty and Mike, remember their answering machine?
Come on how about a ad with (who was it) taking a bite ooutta one. love Ya!
Pro-tip, I am sure I read somewhere that Kohole Andino rubs that FU wax stuff onto the tops of fhis eet before a heat and then paddles out and rubs sole of foot on to the waxed tops…very weird, but kinda sounds like it might work. I am waiting for someone to launch a wax that makes it easier to jump to your feet, LOL!
Not the pic of a guy biting a bar, but an ad I found just now. Note the extra bit at the bottom advertising sandlewood [sic] scented wax called “Laguna” (of course).
This is from late 1971
Sandlewood scented wax…now there’s an idea! I’m going into the vintage surf wax market, seems a great way to lose money, LOL!
Try making sandalwood scented wax, instead. You’ll have better luck finding ingredients.
I must be getting really old.
At least we’re not alone!
I think it was Henry Knorr actually, Steve’s dad. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Henry some years ago at Knorr Candle and talking about surf wax with him. I even walked through the fields where they had their first surf wax pouring shack. It was a very special day…
I just watched Five Summer Stories and sniffed my waxmate at the same time. Smoked some not too potent herbal product and ended it all with ice cold milk and graham crackers. All in all a pleasant way to kill a couple of hours
Gypsy moths, flippin’ bottle caps at the big screen and the smell of 30 weight
“Days of our lives”.
Yeah, getting the oil additive smell has been the tricky bit of getting the formula as accurate as possible…that and trying to sniff test with a 40 year old block of Waxmate!
Must be love (or the drugs)…
Ok, In The movie " Point Break" Didn’t the FBI use the different wax formulas to identify the Beach where Bodhi and his gang of Bank Robbers hang out? I’m sure The FBI must have Surf Wax formulas on file to aid in catching all those master criminal surfers. Just send a Freedom of information request with a stamped return envelope and the FBI lab will send you the the Wax Mate formula.
I forgot to add That the Coconut scented wax use to make me hungry. I would be sitting on my board waiting for a wave and all I could think about was getting one of the Coconut and Granola treats sold at the Local organic co op. I think they were called space balls? Kind of the hippy surfer guy version of Homer Simpson and “Donuts”