# Wood axels to wax or not to wax

**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680
**Category:** General Yo-Yo
**Created:** [April 14, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680 "2023-04-14T13:58:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680/1 "2023-04-14T13:58:20Z")

</div>

So I’ve heard to use chapstick or Vaseline or other wax for wood axels / strings and I’ve heard use nothing just swap your string often. I’m curious what this group thinks and why/when you would use something to wax your wood…

I’ve generally just gone raw with wood yo-yos but maybe I’m in the wrong here…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![GTDropKnot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gtdropknot/32/212400_2.png) [@GTDropKnot](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GTDropKnot)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680/2 "2023-04-14T14:02:57Z")

</div>

There is a doc pop vid where he says he uses burtsbees to decrease response.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Sleeper80](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sleeper80/32/257936_2.png) [@Sleeper80](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sleeper80)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680/3 "2023-04-14T14:55:59Z")

</div>

i have not ever found a need for waxing the axle, usually adjusting string torsion and using cotton strings is enough to tweak response for me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680/4 "2023-04-14T16:33:34Z")

</div>

Most people recommend putting a bit of wax of your choice on the string loop. Note that you don’t need much. Too much will tend to make the yoyo responsive if you use something like paraffin or bees wax.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![TryCatchThrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/trycatchthrow/32/171307_2.png) [@TryCatchThrow](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TryCatchThrow)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/wood-axels-to-wax-or-not-to-wax/373680/5 "2023-04-14T20:36:52Z")

</div>

I have only used wax once on a fixie that was responding inconsistently. I applied a little to the middle of the string so that it works it’s way around the whole wall.