Liquid Chalk

Hey has anyone used this stuff..if so...what did you think? Better to be avoided or the best thing since single malt scotch? :)

Chris

Pretty good as a base layer for powdered chalk, but don't buy it from the store, cause it's a rip. I make my own by mixing whatever brand chalk into 100% rubbing alcohol and a tiny bit of water. The best application for it is DWS, however it can come in handy on hot days.

"Pretty good as a base layer for powdered chalk" +1. On summer days when I know I'll be sweatin' it out I'll use it. I have only tried the mammut stuff from the store but It seems to be a pretty powerful drying agent, though I wouldn't use it on its own.

Liquid chalk is a must for days when you need to apply sunscreen or bug juice. Your hands get all greasy but with liquid chalk it dries em right up! After that use regular chalk for the climb.

Helldorado wrote:Pretty good as a base layer for powdered chalk, but don't buy it from the store, cause it's a rip. I make my own by mixing whatever brand chalk into 100% rubbing alcohol and a tiny bit of water. The best application for it is DWS, however it can come in handy on hot days.

Recipe? (as in proportions)

I love the stuff...use it sparingly as it is pricy. Got 2 different brands over the years. It's almost like cheating when you slab on a layer and begin on a slopy set of holds. Sticks you to them like glue. It does make a gooey mess though on taped fingers. Bare hands are best.

Cool..thanks you guys. A few brands out there...not sure which is best? There are a few on the market for body building and weight lifting..seems less expensive, but I have heard no reviews.

chris

wait, wait, wait.....are we talking about the same liquid chalk that the French call 'poff' or whatever? Anyone else know what I am talking about here? It used to be a problem down at Hueco. I believe Sherman even had a little speech in his book about why that stuff is a bad idea.

Essentially, the poff stuff creates a layer on the rock that becomes smooth and glassy, is almost impossible to remove (unlike brushing off chalk), and essentially means that if you want to grip the covered hold, you need to keep using the poff, thus making the problem worse. If this liquid chalk is the same as the poff junk, please don't use it because it completely (and permanently) f*cks up the rock.

Can anyone who knows more than me shed a little light on the differences/similarities between liquid chalk and poff?

Mike Lane wrote: Recipe? (as in proportions)

Enough rubbing alc to give it the consistency of birdshit. Do not apply too much, as the rubbing alc will make your skin crack, particularly on cold, dry days like in winter.

After applying sunscreen or bugspray, I will always wash my hands 2-3 times and put straight rubbing alc on them, sunscreen grease is horrible for friction, anyone that has ever put it on and then tried to climb without washing it off will tell you that. Also most oils (peanut is worst) will destroy friction and not allow chalk to stick to your hands.

pof is resin

liquid chalk when dry is just chalk

J. Albers wrote:wait, wait, wait.....are we talking about the same liquid chalk that the French call 'poff' or whatever? Anyone else know what I am talking about here? It used to be a problem down at Hueco. I believe Sherman even had a little speech in his book about why that stuff is a bad idea. Essentially, the poff stuff creates a layer on the rock that becomes smooth and glassy, is almost impossible to remove (unlike brushing off chalk), and essentially means that if you want to grip the covered hold, you need to keep using the poff, thus making the problem worse. If this liquid chalk is the same as the poff junk, please don't use it because it completely (and permanently) f*cks up the rock. Can anyone who knows more than me shed a little light on the differences/similarities between liquid chalk and poff?

I believe poff is a type of resin that climbers in font used to use in the same manner as chalk, they don't use it anymore, as far as I know. Liquid chalk will not damage the rock, it leaves chalk behind on the rock, just like normal chalk.

Found an interesting article that claims poff is good on font sandstone, but will damage other types of rock, I don't know if this is true, as I have never climbed there or anywhere poff is used. It does make a good point though, people who smear chalk on the rock are dumbasses, it appeals to anyone with common sense that this would reduce friction.
bleau.info/cleanup/magnesiu…

Helldorado wrote:Pretty good as a base layer for powdered chalk, but don't buy it from the store, cause it's a rip. I make my own by mixing whatever brand chalk into 100% rubbing alcohol and a tiny bit of water. The best application for it is DWS, however it can come in handy on hot days.

Plus another one. I've only used it when I was climbing back east in NY & NH as it is so humid and I sweat a lot. It can be very drying. I used a brand I found at Ragged Mountain. It's called: "Dry Hands." Says it's so effective it repels water and sweat! I used it and still used my regular chalk.

Thanks for the recipe!!

This stuff is good. Dope Miller Equip makes it.

"I climbed at Horse Pens 40 in Alabama. It is well known for it's slopers and really brutal on the skin. The Dope Grip helped me stick to the slopers and after two full days of climbing, my hands were still in good shape. They were in way better shape then in the past after climbing at HP40".

Matt Thomsen

  Most of the women
who've tried it really like that it doesn't leave their hands as dry
as chalk does.  Guys just say it works well  :)

Dave Clendenan