Why Is Beeswax Used To Preserve Cricket Bats?

Alongside raw honey, pure beeswax is a hugely important material that bees make that we use for so many different purposes.

Whilst primarily linked to candlemaking in the minds of many, those who are more familiar with the noble sport of cricket will typically think of beeswax as a vital part of the sport.

Bat waxes such as our Hit Four Six tins are not only important for maintaining the shiny, professional look of a high-quality wooden bat but are also part of the initial process of breaking it in for sporting use.

Here is how beeswax is used to help preserve cricket bats.

Why Are Bats Waxed?

There are two main steps to maintaining a cricket bat, although our Hit Four Six tins combine the two.

The first uses linseed oil made from loose flaxseed to deeply penetrate the wood, keep it moisturised and pliant enough for play and avoid the risk of cracks.

It is essentially a required step in preparing a new bat, which is coated in thin layers of oil that is absorbed by the bat before it is “knocked in” using an old cricket ball or dedicated mallet tool to compact the willow wood and allow the oil to fill in the gaps.

Without this preparation, many bats will simply snap.

The other part of the process involves using beeswax to lock in the moisture of the linseed oil whilst providing a barrier from humidity, dirt, standing water and the other external elements that are common during a long test match.

As cricket is played over a long period of time, atmospheric and environmental conditions can become a major factor which can cause an underprepared bat to warp or even split.

Why Use A Combined Bat Wax?

Whilst the traditional approach was to use linseed oil before applying a topcoat of beeswax, many athletes have opted to use a combined wax consisting of linseed oil and wax instead.

The process is very simple. Linseed oil can sometimes take days to properly soak in, whilst far less combined wax is needed to get the same result simply by using a cloth to rub it into the bat’s surface with enough force to melt it.

Not only is this easier for many players, as it combines two relatively time-consuming pieces of maintenance into one simple step, but it can potentially help improve the swing of the bat in the process.

Linseed oil is quite heavy when it has soaked into the bat, and with cricket bats themselves being somewhat weighty due to their solid wooden design, any product that can provide the nourishment of linseed without the extra weight can help a person with their swing.

A high-quality cricket bat is a serious investment that needs to be taken care of in order to ensure that it lasts as long as possible and provides a player with the chance to play at their best without potential environmental damage causing the bat to let them down.

Every cricket player has their own preferences, but a combined bat wax is an essential part of any kit bag.