Cutting wax

[Guest DeeDee]

Is there a secret for cutting wax more easily? I'm using PEAK container blend wax, and it is soft enough to cut, but I'm not able to do it very well. I'm about 1/2 way through the slab now. I'm pretty new to candle-making- but I've already got scars- just from cutting the wax! I would appreciate any suggestions.

[topofmurrayhill]

I like dynamite, personally.

Don't use too much though because it can make some of the wax hard to find.

[Donita]

Sure Top....you have those "plastic" chemicals....perfect for blowing up wax......Donita

[Guest DeeDee]

Dynamite probably isn't any more dangerous than what I've been doing! I could use your method, and find bits of wax, or keep with mine and find spots of blood. Hmmm. Tough decision.

[tucker]

Try a chain saw, just be sure to keep the chain well oiled.

[prairieannie]

Buy some pillar wax and try cutting that, then go back to your container wax and you will find that it's a breeze!

[Donita]

Thanks Tucker....I forgot to oil my chainsaw.

[Guest DeeDee]

Maybe I had better stay away from candle making altogether. I had been reading posts before I started making candles- and had found that it was fairly easy to cut yourself on molds- so I decided to stay away from those and stick with container candles. (I accidently cut a tendon in my right hand a year or two ago- didn't want to go through that again) Anyway- I started cutting the wax- First I used thread tied between two dowels- it was killing my hands, though, and the thread kept breaking. So I bought a cake divider- and it worked well until I broke it. It was the middle of the night, and I remembered I had a set of paring knives I'd bought just for craft purposes, so I got one out. I managed to stab through my left hand- not a good first week for candle-making. If pillar wax is more difficult- I had better steer clear of it.

[tlc26]

before I read that you are very accident prone I was going to recomend that you heat your knife so it will cut more easily, but maybe that is not a good idea!

[andrealh1975]

Dee Dee...which wax are you using from Peak? If it's one of the really soft ones, you can cut it pretty easily. If it's one of the others, put it in the freezer for a little while, when you take it out, put it in an old pillowcase or something and wack the hell out of it with a hammer.

[Brat]

I'm thinking you might want to try the wax that comes in granules or flakes. I'm not sure about parrifin container wax, but I think there's a soy container wax that comes in flakes. No cutting, just scoop it out with a cup and put it on your scale, no worrying about slicing another tendon! Or, you might try votives, I know Peak's has a votive blend that comes in a nice bag that you just scoop right on out. And I haven't yet cut myself with a votive mold...

[DolphinLVR]

Get a broad blade putty knife that is real stiff......that will cut through your wax just fine by pressing it down into the slab.

HTH

Jeff

[topofmurrayhill]

It was the middle of the night, and I remembered I had a set of paring knives I'd bought just for craft purposes, so I got one out. I managed to stab through my left hand- not a good first week for candle-making. If pillar wax is more difficult- I had better steer clear of it.

OK you're not allowed to play with knives anymore. Dynamite only. Or a hammer. Can we trust you not to beat your finger to a pulp? If you switch to pillars you can break your wax rather than cutting it. Throw it out the window if necessary. You can use seamless aluminum pillar molds - they don't have the sharp edges.

[scents for me]

Maybe I had better stay away from candle making altogether. I had been reading posts before I started making candles- and had found that it was fairly easy to cut yourself on molds- so I decided to stay away from those and stick with container candles. (I accidently cut a tendon in my right hand a year or two ago- didn't want to go through that again) Anyway- I started cutting the wax- First I used thread tied between two dowels- it was killing my hands, though, and the thread kept breaking. So I bought a cake divider- and it worked well until I broke it. It was the middle of the night, and I remembered I had a set of paring knives I'd bought just for craft purposes, so I got one out. I managed to stab through my left hand- not a good first week for candle-making. If pillar wax is more difficult- I had better steer clear of it.

Surely you jest

[Fire and Ice]

:wave: :awww: Dee Dee.

When I first started making candles, six years ago, I had a softer wax, I used a garrott too but mine was made with thin wire and dowles. The wirw will work better than thread. Now, of course I use strictly soy wax which is flaked.

Fire

[Guest DeeDee]

Thank you for all of the suggestions- I didn't know if there might be a trick that everyone else knew. My hands don't work very well -for obvious reasons- and I thought there might be an easier way to cut wax, without cutting myself. I've been using a cheese slicer for a day or two- it is slow, and a little tiring for my hands, but it seems to be safe. I'll have to look into the flaked wax, and the molds without sharp edges. I'll keep thinking about the dynamite or a chainsaw- insurance rates can't get much higher anyway.

[Margaritamama]

I use one of those pastry cutters..... or should I say I make my DH use a pastry cutter!!! He digs it into the wax, then gives it a swift whack with a mallet. Snaps the 10lb block in two perfect pieces, which he then divides again. Husbands work like a charm!!!!!!!

[litl splinter]

I cut all of my wax with a 4 1/2" drywall putty knife. No problems yet, and no "red" wax.

Cut about 100 lbs. in the last 3 weeks, and still have all my fingers!

[tucker]

On the serious side. Put wax on a very hard surface (cement floor) or whatever. I use a 1 inch wide wood chisel and a hammer and start at the corner and whack away. You have to hit it pretty hard so BE CAREFUL.

[candlesprite7]

I use a flat head screwdriver and a hammer to chunk up my slabs of wax. for the softer container wax I use a large sized cake server to cut the wax into cubes. Works great!