Makes of Rosin

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by damonsmith

I couldn't be more sold on Oak rosin. It is just magic - smooth and singing when you need that and grabs like hell when you dig in.
The soft was just a touch too soft and got a little slick with too much fast playing, that was was solved by a couple swipes of Med.
It ends up being over $50 for the two cakes with shipping as opposed to $5 for Pops but it is really worth it. It smells really nice, too.
http://gregorianstrings.com/

I'm glad you like it because I was kind of pushing it. I have all three grades (saved some shipping ordering all at one time) and even the hard is useful in very hot weather.

[Uncletoad]

I have the medium Oak rosin and like it quite a bit. Sometimes I'd like a bit more grab like Pops. Is that the soft version?

[reedo35]

I would say yes. I have both the oak medium and the soft. The medium is VERY similar to Carlsson's, but grips better and lasts longer and doesn't powder up as much. the soft is very good for grip, but it tends to get a bit gunky, similar to Pops.

[Silversorcerer]

+1. I use the soft more than the medium or hard. It has about the same grip as Pops but much smoother sound. I just don't need nearly as many applications of the Oak. It seems to last longer on the bow than Pops or Carlsson.

[CPike]

Oak rocks, I used to vacillate between Pops, Carlsson and Nyman in the past but then someone at a gig handed me Oak medium. Wow, it took some adjustment but I know I had found "it". I just wish it came in a round shape instead of that unwieldy square block. Here in Texas, I've found that Oak seems to be more sensitive to humidity changes than actual temperature. I use medium about 95% of the time, with a few swipes of soft when it gets really dry. Have not had any use for the hard Oak, even in the warmer months mainly because A/C is so prevalent here. One of the reasons I like Oak is that it not only "grabs" great, it also knows how to "let go" of the string. It feels so uniform from the lowest register all the way up to upper thumb position - where Pops and Carlsson tend to get really scratchy and sticky.

Chris

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

I have the medium Oak rosin and like it quite a bit. Sometimes I'd like a bit more grab like Pops. Is that the soft version?

Yeah, I would get some soft, I am using mostly soft with a few swipes of Med. before gigs.
It grabs better than Pops. I was mainly happy with Pops and I think it is good, basic rosin, but Oak is just a whole other level.

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by CPike

Oak rocks. I just wish it came in a round shape instead of that unwieldy square block.
Chris

I agree. I thought of melting it into a different container, but I wonder if that would make it drier?

[LizzieBurns]

kolstein soft

[ZonGuy]

Student bower here - still slaving through Simandl. German Bow, Helicores.

Pops works well in Houston, Oak med much better, but....Kohlsteins (hard?) seems to fit me best. Seems hard to over-rosin the bow with Kohsteins like you can can with Pops.

Petz was crap. I threw it away

YMMV

My solution is to keep some of each around and use what works best. My right arm is still developing and my needs may change as I grow.

[hornob]

I know this sounds weird guys but try microwaving your pops rosin for 15 seconds. It changes the texture of it and makes it even smoother!!!