The Handlebar Club Forum

Good Afternoon to All.... I need some help; cannot get any hold. Been trying Wacky Tacky, Oregon Wild Hair and glue stick, but they won't hold for more than about an hour. Okay, on a good day, the glue stick holds longer, but not in typical Indiana weather. Started with the WT, heat it up with hair dryer and use a toothbrush (new) to put it on with. Starts oky, but within an hour, the ends are separated and the 'fangs' are falling down. Same with the OWH, but have some in the tubes so can touch it up. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, in advance..... Greg/Grizhicks

Hirsuit fangs are caused by insufficient training, not waxing. In fact, overwaxing can weigh the centre down and make it worse. Wet the 'tache, comb to the side and up slightly while using the hairdryer. Even now I still get them sometimes.

The toothbrush is an unusual way to apply, I've never heard that one. You may not be getting enough into the ends with it. Try scraping some off with a fingernail, rubbing it between your fingers, and then onto the ends. I then use the hairdryer and comb again to evenly distribute. To avoid the fangs I don't wax the centre, it only gets the bit of wax off the comb.

I would follow the instructions that come with both of those fine products. For the glue stick, the Glue Guru, EricJT has a video about applying you can click here for. Also, have you emailed the manufacturers? They are stand-up guys who want little more than you to be COMPLETELY satisfied. That's how I would start. Be patient, be patient and when you have almost run out of patience, be patient some more. Let us know how its going... I am most intrigued by this problem. I use all three of those products and have to say I have never had such problems. GOOD LUCK and keep it handlebar!

Just e-mailed John at FH, so I'll wait on a response. Maybe I'm not pateint enough; been 10-1/2 weeks without a trim, and the ends are about 1-3/4" long and the middle about 1" or so. For the most part, the glue stick is working best, but I like the feel of the wax better. We'll keep working on it. Thanks, greg

I have not had good luck with OWH at all. I need stiff wax, to be sure. I have had the same problems you are having. And WT sometimes will leave me with fangs too. Try something stiff like Bounder or hndlebars. See what happens.

Man... I really don't understand the need for a hair dryer. I've never had an issue using the top of my index finger's nail to scrape the wax out and then smearing/spreading it between the index finger and thumb.

A lot of member's refer to WT and OWH as stiff waxes, but I really can't say the same thing. I too need a stiff wax and was pretty disappointed when I tried both. The impressions I got were that they were tough, stiff waxes, but they were both far from what I would consider a tough, stiff wax. I do appreciate that they both stayed pliable in case I wasn't happy with the amount of curl or look of my stache, but aside from that, I wouldn't choose to use either again.

I then tried Rex Wax, because I read a review about it by a user who has used Bounders, Wild Bill's, WT, OWH, Hndlbars, Sterns, etc, and he said that no wax compared to it's stiffness. He said if any, Bounders was closest, but would separate because of its water solubility.

With that said, I LOVE Rex Wax, and the reviewer couldn't have gotten it anymore accurate. It's the only wax that's satisfied my needs. It stiffens up nicely while being pliable, if need be, doesn't separate, and isn't overly effected by water. (Drinking beverages throughout the day was the weakness to all my previous waxes.)

So, if you're looking for a tough wax, I can't recommend any wax aside from Rex Wax. I'm still waiting for my shipment of Bounder's so I can't recommend that yet, but based on the reviewer's comparison, I don't expect it to be as stiff or tough.

I wouldn't call Firehouse WT or OWH stiff either. I haven't tried Rex Wax, but I can attest to Superior Moustache Wax having a very firm hold that is not very affected by water/beverages. I plan to post a full review soon...

There was a time when I felt I needed a hair dryer to apply wax, but after more experience I can apply any wax without a hair dryer. That said, a hair dryer does make it easier to melt waxes to the right consistency before you apply and can help you melt out any wax particles you may end up with if you are so unlucky. Also, if you are not so quick when you apply a hair dryer can help keep the wax soft so you don't end up pulling out any hairs.

Smedstad, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this! I was expecting to get flamed for saying I didn't think WT or OWH was a stiff wax. AND, not to sound creepy, but coming from you, it's even better. I've been looking around through the forum a lot and I have to say, that at least based on your avatar, you've got my vote for best stache. I just recently started growing my curls out again, after very regretfully trimming it to a normal stache, and just I'm a little over a month in. I'm sure you can tell based on my avatar. I think the length and curl of your stache is superb.

And that's good to here that superior makes a stiff wax that's good against water! I'm going to have to give that a shot knowing that we agree on WT and OWH. I read your review on Man's Face Stuff a couple weeks ago, and I decided to hold off because it didn't seem like it'd be stiff enough. Too bad though, because I get the impression that they smell great.

Yes, I would call them both sticky rather than firm. That said, they both hold well when you are going for a more natural look. If you want a sharp, tight moustache they are not the best choice - IMO.

And thanks for the compliment. Don't know if I deserve that kind of praise though

All -- Thanks for your help; but, things are getting better, maybe just getting longer. -- Greg

<<<As much sarcasm as I can muster>>> You two obviously are doing it differently than I and are therefore, not doing it "right." /sarcasm

Seriously, everyone is different. Everyone's stache is not going to be the same. There is a lid for every pot. We (the moustacio'd) of all people would understand this best and that is why I wont flame you for the "wrong" opinion.



To Grizhicks: I did not style the first time until 6 months into growth. I used pomades, but not wax. Keep it growing, long and strong.