After Wayne Goddards magazine article testing Butchers wax as a rust preventative I thought I would test some myself. I didn't have Butchers wax but did buy some Briwax here after his tests. I had been using Conservators Wax, a microcrystaline similar to Renisance Wax, to coat my blades. I took some 01 and taped off some slots. First slot was blank, second Briwax, third Conservators Wax, fourth Minwax Wood Finishing wax, fifth bee's wax.
I put a large drop of water on each. The next day, in order of most rust: plain, Conxservators, Minwax, bee's wax and best was Briwax.
Actually the last three, Minwax, bee's wax and Briwax were pretty close with Briwax just edging the others out. The bee's wax success may be a bit inaccurate as it doesn't go on easily and the test coating was thick. Probably thicker than what would be put on a finished blade.
The take away for me?
Briwax does a better job at rust prevention than the microcrystaline. A little bit goes a long way, very much like the Conservators wax. The appearance on the blade and handle is as good, if not better. It's got a funky smell to boot. The cost is a fraction of Renisance wax.
A little cheaper, and maybe as good, is the Minwax although it doesn't go on as nicely or quickly. Time is money and the Briwax will be much quicker.
Bee's wax, if you have it around, is effective, albeit a pain to apply.
Maybe some one else has done some tests?
I put a large drop of water on each. The next day, in order of most rust: plain, Conxservators, Minwax, bee's wax and best was Briwax.
Actually the last three, Minwax, bee's wax and Briwax were pretty close with Briwax just edging the others out. The bee's wax success may be a bit inaccurate as it doesn't go on easily and the test coating was thick. Probably thicker than what would be put on a finished blade.
The take away for me?
Briwax does a better job at rust prevention than the microcrystaline. A little bit goes a long way, very much like the Conservators wax. The appearance on the blade and handle is as good, if not better. It's got a funky smell to boot. The cost is a fraction of Renisance wax.
A little cheaper, and maybe as good, is the Minwax although it doesn't go on as nicely or quickly. Time is money and the Briwax will be much quicker.
Bee's wax, if you have it around, is effective, albeit a pain to apply.
Maybe some one else has done some tests?
