7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Hemp Wick

You’re holding a piece of hemp wick between your fingers. It’s dark brown, slightly waxy, and smells faintly of honey - often an addition to your lifestyle that you rarely think deeply about. You know it works and that you can rely on it to get the job done. But did you know that hemp itself used to be the most popular textile before cotton? Or that you can ball it up and light it as kindling at your next bonfire? Or that if you wet it, it can still catch fire? It’s time to really get to know that special twine that you’ve been using. Read on for our favorite facts about hemp wick!

#1: It’s a Multi-Purpose Product

Despite its popularity within the marijuana community, hemp wick lends itself to a multitude of uses. Smokers can use it as a natural alternative to butane and flint lighters where it provides a tastier experience (no added chemicals to your herb or tobacco) and allows for precision lighting and preservation of cannabinoids (read more about benefits for smokers here). In addition, its composition also makes it a crafter’s best friend. The beeswax coating gives the wick rigidity but also enough flexibility to create jewelry, bracelets, or even larger scale macrame pieces. Candle-makers can use it as an eco-friendly wick (learn how to make hemp wick candles here!) that is completely prepped and ready to go, sure to give your candle an even, slow burn. And with the holidays right around the corner, hemp wick is great for securing packages or attaching tags to presents with a natural look!

If you’re more of an outdoorsy type, hemp wick is a valuable companion as well! Campers can use it in place of rope or string, as well as a quick start for kindling. It is strong, waterproof, and the beeswax attracts bees making it perfect for use in the garden too. The possibilities are truly endless!

#2: It is VERY Strong

Guess what….hemp wick is 10 times stronger than cotton string! Despite its nondescript appearance, you can rely on hemp wick to hold up, hold on, and last long. Because it is made from multiple strands of hemp fibers wound together and then coated in an even layer of beeswax, hemp wick can offer a dependable sturdiness for whatever your day brings!

#3: It Comes From Sustainable Origins

Hemp is one of the most sustainable crops in the world. Not only does it take less land to grow than most; it is also grows super fast, takes less water to florish, and is naturally resistant to insects. Hemp crops actually improve the soil that they grow in by absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis. This allows the hemp that we use to be completely free of pesticides and lets you support a farmer-friendly and earth-friendly crop.

#4: It Can Be Grown (Almost) Anywhere

Hemp can grow in a variety of climates and soil types, and industrial hemp is legal to grow in more than 30 countries. As the United States is one of the few industrialized countries that deems it illegal, hemp must be imported from other nations. Our team uses an atelier in Europe with a traditional method for harvesting, processing, and twisting into the final spools of hemp wick. That said, things are changing in the US where more and more states are voting in favor of the right to grow hemp in light of its booming success and reliability.

#5: Carry on the Hemp Tradition

Ironically, did you know that hemp was one of the first crops to be cultivated in the United States? Beyond that, hemp has been used to make strong, reliable materials throughout the past thousands of years. Before the invention of the cotton gin, 80% of all textiles and fabrics were hemp-based, including most sails and ropes on ships. The word “canvas” actually comes from the latin word cannabis!

#6: It’s Both Pliable and Stiff

Hemp wick’s waxy coating allows you to bend it any way that you’d like and it will stay that way. This makes it perfect for creating works of art, whether you’re twisting it into designs or wrapping cool layers onto your lighter. Pro tip: if you want to make your hemp wick stay in a certain shape, heat it up! This slightly melts the wax and allows you to bend it into the shape that you desire. After it hardens it will stay in place!

#7: It’s Waterproof!

Because of the 100% natural beeswax coating, our hemp wick is completely waterproof. If you were to dip it in water, you’d still be able to light it immediately after! This makes it a perfect addition to your survival kit, whether you’ll be hiking, camping, or out on the water. No worries about it getting soggy or breaking!

As you can see, hemp wick is a wonderfully diverse item, rooted in history, and beneficial to any kind of lifestyle. What is your favorite way to use hemp wick?