It's hard. Real hard. Should be out there or seeing it in the near future but so far it isn't looking good.
So let's talk about it at least.
Wax. What do you use? Favorites?

i'll tell you what i don't like - klister, i've got 35 year old tubes of that stuff (really). it used to be, if i needed to use klister it was time to find something else to do.

the sad thing is this is starting to feel normal.

I skate ski and was introduced to "Fast Wax" a couple years ago. That is all I use now. And I think it's made in Minnesota.

My supply evolves a bit season to season, but this is what usually takes care of my wooden skis:

I second the Fast Wax for glide wax on skate and classic skis. The Teal and Blue are excellent and inexpensive glide waxes (especially if you buy shop bars), the prep wax is great too. For grip waxes I think it is well worth the extra money to buy the Swix VR series.

Nothing but Swix in my collection. Pretty much looks like schweady's except not as neat. I keep all mine in an old ammo can with corks, scrapers and everything else that is needed.

I have thought of trying the Fast Wax. My sister-in-law swears by it.

for classic i prefer the swix vr grip wax applied over the vg35 base binder. for glide wax i am using swix CH waxes, these are high performance hydrocarbon paraffins. i've bought really expensive skis, putting cheap wax on them would be like paddling a mn2 with Feather Brand paddles.

i have a huge collection of waxes, most i never use, and many are obsolete by modern standards.

i think that more important than the brand of wax you are using is the techniques used to apply it. many layers of wax, ironed in and scraped, followed by the final application, scraped and brushed for glide and corked for kick wax, shining to perfection, can make a less than high end wax perform to an acceptable level. also most people aren't getting the proper kick from their grip wax. if the classic skis aren't fitted properly, you can overcome this problem by lengthening or reducing the area of the kick zone.

skiing isn't rocket science, but it has become a subbranch of rocket science. lots of research is being done on waxing. as they learn new technologies, and come out with new, more expensive products, a subtle difference in wax performance can mean the difference between winning the bierkie or shuffling along and being satisfied with a finish.

still many skiers don't care. they just want to enjoy the outdoors in the winter. i still have jack rabbit brand kick wax. it was made in quebec in the 70's. one wax for all snow conditions. keeping it simple.

my home made wax bench, waiting for snow.

Jwartman in my unscientific evaluation I find Fast Wax Teal and Blue significantly faster than the Swix CH 4 & 6, uncertain if the Fast wax red is equal to the CH8. I believe the Fast Wax Teal to be about as good of a cold glide wax as is available.

Oh, did I mention I ski on wood? If anyone has a supply of Lauritz Bergendahl's Grunnsmoring or Dyp Impregnering, I'd be in their debt forever. Haven't been able to find it since the late 70s and now settle for burning in Swix Impregnation.

Symptom of a disorder (and these are just the one's waiting by the door)

i have been looking for Grunnsmoring for years. not that hard though. ask at an established ski shop, many times they have old stuff collecting dust in a corner. i used to love working that into my wood janoys. i remember the smell like yesterday. probably why i have brain damage.

banksiana, i have some of the fast waxes. i'll have to give them a try again. i am of the stupid mindset that expensive equals better. now if it would snow.

waxless... but then again, i'm not doing it for the "exercise"! if it becomes exercise i won't do it.

quote jwartman59: "i have been looking for Grunnsmoring for years. not that hard though. ask at an established ski shop, many times they have old stuff collecting dust in a corner. i used to love working that into my wood janoys. i remember the smell like yesterday. probably why i have brain damage..."

I kept a bottle of Dyp and even tho it's long used up, I open it once in a while and take a big whiff... Believe me, I've contacted all the shops in MN and most of the northern US and they all just get that wistful sound in their voices, but no product.

Grunnsmoring, nordic crack.

Much as I dislike using Klister, special blue late in the season when it has thawed and refrozen is amazing. I remember times several years ago when we were getting 20 foot glides with kicks that felt like you were wearing figure skates. Very fun. Need to avoid trails with big hills as you are sure to fall on them.

I'm the biggest fan of wax in the range from special green to blue.

quote gutmon: "I'm the biggest fan of wax in the range from special green to blue."

Seems like for me the love affair is with Swix Blue Extra. Very forgiving at both ends of the temperature spectrum.