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Howard's is more of a cleaner and oil with a small amount of wax. Bowling ally wax is more of a surface coating and can be used as a traditional wax finish on otherwise unfinished surfaces.

We favor the Howard product for fretboards due to the ability to cut through the sort of dried residue of dirt and grime mentioned (2/3 mix of mineral oil, orange oil, and naphtha), while Bowling Alley Wax (White Diamond brand, about $40/16 ounces) is preferred where we are primarily concerned with a more durable waxed finish.

Either product is about 1/3 wax, but the differences in which waxes make Feed and Wax better suited to sealing fretwork and Bowling Alley Wax better used for long-term treatment of wood for higher gloss and lasting protection. Feed and Wax is mostly (~65-75%) mineral oil, while Bowling Alley Wax is mineral spirits and turpentine (75%)...so not much difference there, although mineral oil will look 'wet' longer because it is slower to evaporate.

The main difference as far as we can see is in the wax mix, with the Howard product heavy on the softer beeswax and paraffin waxes (with some carnuba) and the Bowling Alley Wax made up of carnuba and microcrystalline waxes. Micro crystalline waxes are very tough in thin layers and very wear resistant, so our choice on bridges or other raw wood that needs long-term protection. At least some of the cost difference is likely the relative expense of carnuba and micro crystalline waxes versus beeswax and paraffin waxes, but again - each product is application-specific as far as our use.

Other options for a harder buffable wax would be straight carnuba or straight micro-crystalline waxes, but the White Diamond product is very high in carnuba, applies easily, and is easier to buff out on wood than Renaissance (micro crystalline wax) or P21s (carnuba wax).

We see these as complementary products - a softer wax-based sealer/cleaner, and a harder, much longer lasting wax finish for high wear areas like bridges. We will sometimes use the Howard product for cleaning and sealing the frets, then follow with Bowling Alley Wax to get a better looking board for a longer period of time.

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For the times they are a changin'

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When Johnson and Johnson wax bought Butcher's wax they stopped making it. BWC bought the right to make it and sells 1 pound cans for about $19.00 .

http://www.conservationsupportsystems.c ... x-formulat

Always used canning wax myself. Rub on and burnish in with a cloth.