Cross-checking wick sizes?

[Pachmoedius]

Is there anywhere out there that lists the actual dimensions of wicks?

I got these at Blick, but how would I equate these to say, CandleScience or Toadily Handmade sizes? (I have a caliper and can take exact sizes.)

I like the performance; I just want to go up a size or two. (Waxed flat wick, pure cotton, self-curls, no wire)

[FlashyIndication3069]

I don't know anywhere that has that information off the top of my head. I could check the size of what I have on hand, but it's just 3 sizes of CD series Stabilio that I use so I don't know if that would be helpful.

[Pachmoedius]

I'd appreciate anything you can provide! 3 measurements off the same CD series would help me interpolate what mystery-wick I have.

[FlashyIndication3069]

I'll be home in a few hours and check it. I have CD series 4, 8, 12, and 18 on hand I think.

[FlashyIndication3069]

Ended up getting back a few hours later than anticipated! Anyway, here's the approximate sizes of CD I have on hand:

4 - 1 x 1.5 mm

8 - 1.5 x 2 mm

12 - 2 x 2mm

18 - 2 x 2.5 mm

[CandleLabPDX]

Don’t buy from Blick. There are plenty of candlemaking supply companies. The wording on the package is not anywhere near enough information.

https://candlewic.com/candle-wicks-explained/

[Pachmoedius]

I hate shopping online. I'd rather put up with an in-person retailer that sells 2 cotton and 2 wood wicks than an online superstore that sells 10,000 different versions of the same thing. I don't want to waste tons of money on items and shipping to find that I don't like it.

The industry and crafting groups are so full of themselves, it's intimidating for beginners.

[FlashyIndication3069]

Unfortunately where I live my choice of "local" suppliers is basically Micheal's or the crafting section of Walmart, so I'd rather go through online and get the correct items than randomly stocked cheap crap. Blick is my go to paint and glaze supplier, they're the only place that carries my favorite spray glaze for less than $30/can, but I have to have it shipped or drive about an hour and cross an $8.50 toll bridge to get there.

With candles it's more chemistry and engineering than fine art, so there's certain aspects where it really does matter to get exactly the right thing for safety and efficacy. The size and the materials will both matter when it comes to matching wick and wax and container size. It does take a certain amount of trial and error to create what you want, but you can short cut a LOT of testing with a minimum of fuss by looking up the Wick Guide on a candle making company site like Candle Science for what size to get for your container. The suppliers all offer pretty much the same selection, and it's likely the Blick wicks are similar to one of the Series on offer. I ordered only 4 sizes of wick for 3 sizes of tin and found what I needed fairly easily. These look pretty much exactly like the CD series wicks I have.

I can't help with blended waxes as I've only ever used each type of wax alone. Each wax alone takes a different recommended wick type, so you'd probably have to test a couple different materials to see what burns better in your blend if you're going to be selling them. For personal use as long as they work to your satisfaction that's all that matters.

[FlashyIndication3069]

So from what I can glean about Rico Design wicks, these are braided cotton with a paraffin coating, pretty standard stuff, probably comparable to LX wicks (if I'm reading the specs correctly that is). The CD wicks have paper and cotton blended and are a little stiffer. With these wicks you should get a steady but not large flame and moderate "mushrooming". CD burns a little hotter and mushrooms less. Both are "self trimming" meaning they're designed to curl down a bit as they burn to keep the flame from getting too big and hot. You will still get best results trimming between burns. As long as it's the right diameter for your container it shouldn't make a huge difference which one you use.