Pro tip: A little beeswax on the clinch block really helps in cold weather

I was working on a draft horse in Vermont last winter and the clinches just would not set right in the cold. My old boss, Jim, told me to rub a thin coat of beeswax on the face of my clinch block. I tried it, and the nail points slid and folded over so much cleaner without that dry, grabbing feel. Has anyone else used a different trick for cold weather nailing?

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3 Comments

emma_hayes805mo ago

That beeswax trick is a classic, but I've always had the opposite problem with it. It gums up my block after a while, especially if any dirt or grit gets mixed in. I just keep my clinch block inside my coat to warm it up before I start. A warm block seems to work better for me than adding anything to the face of it.

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hayden7205mo ago

Ever try just rubbing it on the leather instead?

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anna_coleman4mo ago

Tbh I've noticed the same thing with the warm block approach. It really does make a difference when the beeswax is soft enough to spread evenly without forcing it. The way I do it is I'll hold the block against the leather for a few seconds first, just letting it get a bit of tackiness, then work it in with a small circular motion. That way you don't get that heavy buildup that turns into a gummy mess. Ngl though, I've also had luck with just warming the leather itself rather than the block. If you're working in a cold garage or outside, that block is going to cool off fast no matter how warm you keep it. So I'll use a hairdryer or even just my breath on the leather for a few seconds before applying. It keeps everything consistent and you don't end up with clumps.

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