&%#@ Wax Seals

[humchan2k]

The absolute worst are the blue wax A.H. Hirsch 20 year capsules! After opening one of those I just think, "Why do I even bother?"

Bragplaint.

Just sayin'.

[jburlowski]

Your chainsaw is your friend.

[Tico]

I saber all of my wax dipped bottles

[Low West]

I saber all of my wax dipped bottles

Why bother with a sword, when you can just go at it tough man style? I prefer the one handed grab, between my teeth, and just rip it wide open. Of course spitting out the waxed cork, just in case I don't finish the bottle in one seating if I need to use it again.

In all seriousness, I agree that Willett can be difficult, but in most cases, worth the effort.

[fishnbowljoe]

There was a run of ETL a few years ago that had gold wax and was actually worse than the Willett epoxy....err...wax.

I agree Steve. I found a couple of those a long time ago. When I opened the first one, I had itty bitty, hard, gold wax pieces scattered all over the kitchen. I fared a little better on the second bottle. Put a plastic bag over it when I opened it up.

[jersey12]

I've only had one Willett bottle and I couldn't believe how much of a pain it was to open. Glad to hear I'm at least in good company!

[wadewood]

There was a run of ETL a few years ago that had gold wax and was actually worse than the Willett epoxy....err...wax.

Not a run, ETL was bottled with Gold Wax for a long time. Actually several of us at a BT event complained about it and suggested going to same as Weller Centennial and they listened and changed it.

[Trey Manthey]

Bragplaint.

Just sayin'.

Aww, shucks. I was just kidding. I don't think I'll ever get to open one of those, but I'm not losing sleep over it.

BUT! This is coming from the guy who posts something like, "I've got so much 60's S-W Old Fitzgerald I don't know how I'm going to get it all home!"

FWIW, the hot water trick worked OK for me with a recent Willett bottle. It was still being finicky, so I held it over a gas burner for a few seconds. Sounds like the makings of a Darwin Award (especially considering it was 140+ proof), but it worked pretty well!

[Halifax]

The worst one that I have ever come across is Johnny Drum PS 15.

[MacinJosh]

I've opened numerous Willetts and have only had an issue one time.

Lucky perhaps???