[motteatoj]

Yes, I did a search.
The last time someone asked about the best cork grease appears to be about 2005.
Surely some modern advancement in grease laden technologies have come around since (ya, that's a joke).


So, let's do this....
Best cork grease, and why...
What makes a cork grease good?
Gooey/liquidy vs. medium chap sticky vs. the firmer chunkier varienty.

Considering there are opinions about everything here, there must me some thoughts.....

For me, despise the liquidy type, and the other end 'too firm', I'm like Goldielocks on this one, should be just right.
But how does one know what brand will be that 'just right' one, or is it mearly an age thing?

 

[400VI62]

Selmer Tuning Slide and Cork Grease No. 2942.

 

[Hassles]

I used to keep little packets of slide grease in each of my cases with a small packet of tissues to wipe the residue from my fingers. These days I much prefer a decent quality chapstick-like applicator. Vandorren or Rico are my favourite brands. I have encountered remarkably horrid near oil like in a chapstick applicator from a country renown for bad meat and nasty viruses.

 

[Charlie J]

Whatever the local music store has in stock when I run out.

 

[swperry1]

I used to keep little packets of slide grease in each of my cases with a small packet of tissues to wipe the residue from my fingers. These days I much prefer a decent quality chapstick-like applicator. Vandorren or Rico are my favourite brands. I have encountered remarkably horrid near oil like in a chapstick applicator from a country renown for bad meat and nasty viruses.

They're making cork grease in the US?

 

[mmichel]

I prefer the chapstick variety, primarily because it's less messy (I've tried a few different brands but haven't noticed any real differences).

However, the one unusual thing I could still argue about is the method of application: whenever I replace a neck or tenon cork, I use a heat gun to melt the initial cork grease into the new cork. After that, I apply it normally.

 

[liggy]

Shin Etsu grease. Silicone based. Epic for many things. Mainly car relayed but it's fantastic.
https://www.amazon.com/Honda-Genuine-Shin-Etsu-Grease/dp/B006Z9TZ9M

 

[nvilletele]

Greasy Kid Stuff, Formula #9.

 

[PigSquealer]

Brylcreem. A little dab will do ya.

 

[milandro]

Yes, I did a search.
The last time someone asked about the best cork grease appears to be about 2005.
Surely some modern advancement in grease laden technologies have come around since (ya, that's a joke).

So, let's do this....
Best cork grease, and why...
What makes a cork grease good?
Gooey/liquidy vs. medium chap sticky vs. the firmer chunkier varienty.

Considering there are opinions about everything here, there must me some thoughts.....

For me, despise the liquidy type, and the other end 'too firm', I'm like Goldielocks on this one, should be just right.
But how does one know what brand will be that 'just right' one, or is it mearly an age thing?

1) Depends, I have lots (they come with the instruments that I buy), I prefer low to medium density and son't like the very high density
2) the capability of penetrating the cork and stay there grease that is staying outside is wearing out

I don't know where and how you search but "cork grease" has been discussed many other times after 2005 ...

You find there is a lot more (also things like beewax , lanoline and or vegan alternatives) than just the normal cork grease

This should be one of the latest but I chose a few more (post 2005 there are many more)

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?367396-Doctor-Slick-Cork-Grease

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...-is-much-cheaper-and-better-than-cork-grease-!!!

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?122783-What-is-cork-grease-made-out-of

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?88112-Regarding-Cork-Grease

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?187932-Is-lip-balm-as-good-as-cork-grease

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?187083-Lip-balm-instead-of-cork-grease

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?46610-cork-grease-how-often

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?64162-cork-grease

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?45394-Odd-question-function-of-cork-grease

 

[Hassles]

I have a vintage Vandoren, Kenosha, WI, chapstick style cork grease with the utmost fabulous aroma and it's still perfectly functional. Its that lovely purple colour of some excellent red wines. I only bring it out on special occasions ;-))

 

[Pete Thomas]

All those threads and yet very little mention of the acoustic, sonic or vibrational properties of a good cork grease.

 

[milandro]

I have some lemon scented that used to come with the Taiwanese saxophones that I was helping to sell as export manager , unfortunately I kept only that but It is not the only one I use, I have thin grease which came with a bassoon that I use when the cork is new, then a number of different ones, depending on what is needed , purple , I think, is " La tromba" , can't remember if it has any scent

https://www.thomann.de/gb/stoelzel_fett.htm

 

[milandro]

All those threads and yet very little mention of the acoustic, sonic or vibrational properties of a good cork grease.

not quite

this was a prediction on next high mass products...

Ultra high-density cork grease?

 

[lesacks]

When the ancient one found, what is now, my clarinet in a dusty corner of the family seat; it still had a pot of Swiss La Tromba Slide and Cork Greece. Must be over 50 odd years old.
So I'm using that. I'm not sure what I'll do when it runs out, though.

 

[milandro]

Oh if it says Greece is probably thousands of years old!

 

[lesacks]

Oh if it says Greece is probably thousands of years old!

Only if they had autocorrect back then. I suppose the oracles did, not so much the greAse makers.

 

[milandro]

. I'm not sure what I'll do when it runs out, though.

Buy more?

https://www.thomann.de/gb/stoelzel_fett.htm

 

[lesacks]

. I'm not sure what I'll do when it runs out, though.

Buy more?

https://www.thomann.de/gb/stoelzel_fett.htm

"Original recipe"... yeah, right. I bet. If it doesn't smell the same, it could ruin my tone....

 

[Lambros]

All those threads and yet very little mention of the acoustic, sonic or vibrational properties of a good cork grease.

I think most will hope to find a smoother tone just short of slick or slippery.