The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I wore my Border yesterday for the first time this Autumn. I re-waxed it with bees wax and a hairdryer, good as new. When it's gets cold I wear a wool jumper underneath :-)

Kevin wrote:Warmer, a lot warmer with a thin down/thermolight jacket underneath.
These Airflo jackets are very warm and inexpensive,i have been wearing one over a shirt in the late afternoons lately when it gets a bit chilly and it has been excellent,very light but very warm and would easily fit under a Barbour for the winter.I had to buy another as my son came home from abroad and thinks it is freezing here already and claimed it.
If you buy from the link the price is 24.99,if you buy from them on ebay the price is 39.99 .
http://www.fishtec.co.uk/buy.cfm/fleece ... /yes/89319

Thanks Kevin I have just ordered one of those jackets. They are out of stock until 29th November but it will come out to me then ...thank you.

You are welcome mate,great jackets.

SofaSurfer wrote:I wore my Border yesterday for the first time this Autumn. I re-waxed it with bees wax and a hairdryer, good as new. When it's gets cold I wear a wool jumper underneath :-)

How does beeswax compare to the thorn proof dressing? Sounds like a more environmentally method.

I begrudge paying Barbour prices for a little tin of dressing which is not enough for an entire jacket, it's a rip off. I use bees wax applied with a damp sponge and warm it, after I have painted it on the cloth, with a hairdryer. The wax soaks into the cotton and gives a deep colour, just like a new jacket. The wax hardens a bit when cold and sheds water efficiently. It also smells nice. I think Barbour's thorn proof dressing is just bees wax ! :-)

edit - 400g English bees wax furniture polish £4.99 on ebay :-)

SofaSurfer wrote:I begrudge paying Barbour prices for a little tin of dressing which is not enough for an entire jacket, it's a rip off. I use bees wax applied with a damp sponge and warm it, after I have painted it on the cloth, with a hairdryer. The wax soaks into the cotton and gives a deep colour, just like a new jacket. The wax hardens a bit when cold and sheds water efficiently. It also smells nice. I think Barbour's thorn proof dressing is just bees wax ! :-)

edit - 400g English bees wax furniture polish £4.99 on ebay :-)

Very interesting SS, surprised you use a whole tin , I've had my last tin 3 years and its still over half full! Always thought Barbour dressing was a paraffin wax blend??
I'd still like to try beeswax, any friendly bee keepers on here?

Northern_Nomad wrote:My first jacket was a fly weight, unlined Durham which I bought as a teenager for fishing in 1973. I've still got it!! That's 42 years ago!!!!!

The next one was a Beaufort in early 80's which I flogged on eBay a few years ago when it no longer fitted. The cash from the sale went towards a near new Moorland coat which I had until about 4 years ago, sold for the same reason Somewhere along the same time I also bought a new Beaufort which I still have and use with a thermal liner. The new one is not of the same quality of the earlier ones, but it does the job.

So for the last 40 odd years I have never been without one.

Yes the Durham – the one I wished I'd bought back-in-the-day.

Paul D wrote:

SofaSurfer wrote:I begrudge paying Barbour prices for a little tin of dressing which is not enough for an entire jacket, it's a rip off. I use bees wax applied with a damp sponge and warm it, after I have painted it on the cloth, with a hairdryer. The wax soaks into the cotton and gives a deep colour, just like a new jacket. The wax hardens a bit when cold and sheds water efficiently. It also smells nice. I think Barbour's thorn proof dressing is just bees wax ! :-)

edit - 400g English bees wax furniture polish £4.99 on ebay :-)

Very interesting SS, surprised you use a whole tin , I've had my last tin 3 years and its still over half full! Always thought Barbour dressing was a paraffin wax blend??
I'd still like to try beeswax, any friendly bee keepers on here?

I also use almost half a tin when rewaxing my Moorland jacket. I melt it to liquid and apply with a sponge. Afterwards I use a hair dryer to get it really into the garment. I think it´s the only way to get a Barbour Jacket at least half decent waterproof. It will not stand a real storm but a gentle rain should not be a problem. Make sure to rewax often, at least every 6 month if you wear your jacket regularly, otherwise you will have a nice cold surprise...It´s rediculous but we do it to be traditional.

Not so. I don't wear mine because it's traditional. It protects me from barbed wire and thorns. When the sun shines it's soft and flexible, in the cold it's harder and totally wind proof. The zip is metal and not cheap plastic, it runs smoothly. It's well cut and allows me to cast a fly without restriction. I've stood in the rain all day on a shoot and only got damp from condensation. I wear mine in the worst of weather because it is the right tool for the job. I have a Musto Keeper but it's not in the same league, it's only advantage is that I can put it in the washing machine.

I don't work for Barbour. Other waxed cotton jackets are available.

My Barbour jackets will not protect you from any decent storm and I do not live in a particularly harsh area. Mine are well waxed.
My friends in the North will laugh at you if you turn up in a Barbour. They know why.
I know I won´t make friends on this forum but it´s the truth.
I still like them for the advantages you mentioned. They are tough and look classy. But I am afraid, they are not waterproof. If you need tough, waterproof(!) garments you may look at the Fjallraven range of hunting jackets. Best, Bobby