Musings on Wax

[fisheater]

I use my fingers, a ski edge, tree bark, but usually I just use the other scraper. Yes, I carry two metal Swix scrapers. Two metal scrapers take up less room in my pocket than a standard plastic scraper. I just prefer the steel scraper, but I really do carry two.

[FourthCoast]

Regarding the wax and temperature... 7°-20°. -For Me, that's a Blue wax day. Easy peasy. Why Extra?

Enjoy BLUE wax days while You can.

Re: the scraper. I've pulled it out. Handy, clean it with a stick. Kind of a problem eh', yes. Clean it with a metal edge; haven't had to do that yet... Error on the side of colder wax and use scraper less is a thought. Scraper to the clean the scraper is what I've been thinking. -& I think I will get there.

What do experienced hard men skiers do, though?

I am using Blue Extra because Blue Extra is what I have. I thought I was pretty close to the recommended temperatures. Maybe the XC area was colder than the temperature I read on the interweb weather.

I would like to stick to my Polar/Green/BlueExtra/RedSilver wax combination and not collect more waxes right now. Maybe after I use up most of the Extra I will try replacing it with Blue.

After wandering around the hardware store looking at putty knives and paint scrapers I decided to buy one of these to try:

It is very light weight and the replaceable blade has a 'dull' side and a 'sharp' side. I know it is not the right tool, but I am going to try it out and see how it goes.

[lowangle al]

Don't replace the xtra blue with blue. You can get by better substituting xtra blue for blue on the cold end then you can subbing blue for xtra blue on the warm end. If you don't just get a tin of blue to add to your kit stick with the xtra blue.

[fisheater]

I’m in complete agreement with Al, I wouldn’t replace the extra blue either for the same reason. That being said, when it’s been cold it’s been powdery, I haven’t used extra blue or green this year only Rex Universal, I like it simple.
This past weekend in the UP I didn’t add any wax to my polar waxed bases. I probably could have scraped and brushed the tips and tails for better glide, but I was mostly riding chairs.

[CwmRaider]

@fisheater I really appreciate your no BS pragmatic approach to waxing and skiing, it is inspiring, as is the Swix Polar-on-the-whole-ski approach advertised by @lilcliffy, @lowangle al and others.
It has made me love skiing even more.
It is only a matter of time before I'll try klister with baby powder and a beer.

Just wanted to shout out, as this site does not have the social media "like" feature (nor does it need it).
Cheers

[wabene]

"Just wanted to shout out, as this site does not have the social media "like" feature (nor does it need it).
Cheers"
Yes sir, this site is awesome! I have learned so much which has positively impacted my skiing in a big way. Skol!

[Woodserson]

@FourthCoast

Another vote for BXtra. Add Red Special instead. Green, Blue Extra, Violet Special, Red Special, Red Silver.

@fisheater
What are you replacing Violet Special with? It wasn't clear in the other thread to me

[fisheater]

Swix Violet replacements

@Woodserson I am using 2 waxes to replace Swix Violet Special. The 1rst Vauhti Pro Pure White works well on non transformed snow. It has good grip and it’s fast! It’s also expensive.
The wax for transformed snow, which for me is more common at Violet temperatures is Start Racing Special Violet. It’s from the Start Oslo Wax series. It is a different wax, you dab it on. I spread it with the synthetic cork. It scrapes clean easily with the caveat I have had remnants in my base structure since the first time I used it.
In using these two waxes this year, I’ve had good grip and great glide without ever applying more than two thin coats. I have had to extend the wax pocket on the Oslo Violet, or at least I did extend it from the beginning.
If you only try one try the Oslo. I will be trying the red, I think it would give red/silver a run for the money.

[Musk Ox]

Don't replace the xtra blue with blue. You can get by better substituting xtra blue for blue on the cold end then you can subbing blue for xtra blue on the warm end. If you don't just get a tin of blue to add to your kit stick with the xtra blue.

This is gospel.

Swix Blue is gorgeous, but when I put it on it's like... wahay, it's Swix Blue Weather and no other!