Before the Wax
Canvas has a problem. Left untreated, it takes on water. People who worked outside have been solving that problem for a very long time.
From the 15th century, mariners applied fish oils and grease to canvas to keep water out. By 1795, a Scottish sailmaker was adding linseed oil to flax sails, and the method spread from the sea to clothing. Linseed worked, but it came with costs. It yellowed with age, stiffened in the cold, and cracked as it hardened. The material had solved one problem and created several others.
By the mid 1800’s, the answer was wax. Cotton impregnated with paraffin was less stiff than its oiled predecessor, and it carried the same promise, cloth that could take the weather and keep going.
What the Wax Does
Wax is worked into the cloth rather than left sitting on top of it, and the cloth changes as a result. It becomes highly water resistant, and it holds up against the wind.
It also changes over time. As waxed cotton is worn, friction and age leave a visible patina and light creases, known as chalk marks. The fabric records how it has been used.
But most importantly, it lasts, it resists water, and it builds character with every wear.
The Wax in Waxide
Waxide has been made the American way since the early 1900s. Every yard is crafted in the USA, and the finishing process is what completes it. The finish follows a long-standing formula, built on a wax blend that is food and pharmaceutical grade, a standard set for materials that need to be clean, applied here to a fabric made for hard use. It is made without environmentally damaging solvents.
The result is a premium cotton canvas treated for water resistance and rugged use.
The trims follow the same logic. Crazy horse leather is finished with oils and waxes, and like the canvas beside it, it darkens and develops character with use. The leather strapback and trims are built to be worn in.
Veteran’s Day
MILL Surplus launches on Veterans Day, and that is intentional. An American made fabric, released on the day we honor those who served. On 11/11, we’re donating to three foundations we back and trust to make a difference in the lives of those who served. The Navy SEAL Foundation, Marine Raider Foundation, and Warrior Built Foundation.
Click here to learn more about each of the foundations and support yourself.
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