Taper Tipper: Easiest Way To Trim Down the Base of a Candle

Welcome to the 393rd Metamorphosis Monday!

Recently I shared this summer table setting for Tablescape Thursday. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left on that post–appreciated those so much!

Romantic Table Setting on the Porch

 

The centerpiece for that table was all about candles, lots and lots of candles. (Tablescape can be viewed here: Romantic Candlelight Dinner on the Porch)

Candlelight Tablescape on the Porch

 

In that post I mentioned how I had used a knife to carve down the bottom of each candle so it would fit tightly down inside each bottle. Afterwards, a very smart reader of BNOTP told me about something called a Taper Tipper. Have you ever heard of a Taper Tipper? I never had but I can tell you, they are awesome! If you ever use taper style candles in your home, you need a Taper Tipper!

Romantic Candlelight Tablescape in Silver and White

 

As far as I can tell, there is only one company, Wilton Armetale, that made Taper Tippers. According to the Wilton Armetale website, Armetale products are made from a mixture of over 10 different metals, with the primary metal being aluminum. I don’t think they are currently making them because I didn’t see any available for purchase on their website.

So how does it work? See the candles on the left? Those are candles I carved down with a kitchen knife to use in the bottles for the centerpiece seen earlier in this post.

The candle on the right was whittled down with the Taper Tipper that’s laying next to it. The base on that candle looks much nicer than the other two, doesn’t it?

Taper Tipper for Reducing the Base of a Candle

 

I was curious to see if it would also work for candles with bases like the one you see below on the left. I gave it a try and it worked great. It was a bit bumpier to use since that type candle has a lot of grooves/ridges around the base, but it definitely worked as seen on the candle on the right.

Wilton Armetale Taper Tipper for Candles

 

My Taper Tipper didn’t come with any instructions, but it’s so easy to use, you really don’t need any. The candle only fits into the Taper Tipper one way.

To pare down the base of a candle, you put the candle into the Taper Tipper as shown below. Next, while holding the Taper Tipper steady in one hand, you simply twist/rotate the candle around and around in the other. It’s a lot like sharping a pencil, only you’re whittling down a candle instead of the point of a pencil.

How to Use a Taper Tipper

 

Here’s how the inside of a Taper Tipper looks. I’m not sure if anyone currently sells them but you can find them on eBay and on Etsy.

Update: Sandra just found something similar here: Taper Candle Shaper.  Here’s another one that catches the wax pieces as you’re turning the candle: Candle Shaper

From searching online for additional information, it appears that only one company ever made them: Wilton Armetale. I think Wilton Armetale may be located in Columbia, PA, or at least that’s what the eBay seller I purchased mine from said in her listing. The cost for the one I bought was $9.75 including shipping. Definitely worth that and more!

Wilton Armetale Taper Tipper

 

Have you ever used a Taper Tipper? I wish I’d had one years ago because they are definitely a time saver. A lot safer than a knife, too!

Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Metamorphosis Monday!

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Comments

  1. Diane Westbrook says

    Oh, I have never heard of them either and I am going to purchase one soon! What a wonderful idea!
    After reading about the wonderful tours to England, etc….you will love it all! See if you can rent or? the DVD called “Saving Grace”. It is set in the same area as Doc Martin is filmed in and features Martin Clunes and some other great actors. It is so funny….I finally bought it a few years ago and every once in a while, I bring it out and watch it again. Much envy for your trip!!

    • Thanks, Diane. I may have seen it, I know there were several of his old movies I watched a few years back when I had Netflix. There was also a sitcom where he was married that was really funny.
      Okay, I just googled and that was one of the movies I watched…it was great! I need to rent it or buy it and watch it again for sure before I head off to Cornwall.

  2. What a handy little invention! I’ll be on the lookout for one for sure! Thanks for hosting, Susan! Hugs…Debbie

  3. What a time saver Susan! I’m surprised no one else has a similar product on the market. Thanks for the tip!

    • I have a plastic one that I probably purchased at one of the craft stores. Works well.

    • Mary, someone left a comment today mentioning there are some on Amazon. On there, they appear to be called “candle sharpeners.” Unfortunately, they are plastic. I really like the Wilton one. You can probably find one on eBay or Etsy.

  4. What a wonderful tip! I’ll be on the lookout for a taper tipper! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful tablescape, too! Thanks for so graciously hosting Met Monday every week! ~Rhonda

  5. For awhile now, I am halfway through your blog, and it skips down to the end automatically. This is the only blog it happens on. Anyone else have the same problem? Or solution?

  6. Good Morning Susan! No, I’ve never heard of a taper tipper… but you’re right, what a great idea. (your bottles centerpiece is so wonderfully romantic… love it!) Thanks for hosting! I shared about a beautiful place in KPT to visit, with a funny story about a Bush run in… 😉

  7. What a cool tool! I have trimmed so many with a knife and sometimes it’s turned into a slight disaster! I think I need one of these! Your table was beautiful- love the cluster of softly lit candles!

  8. Oh-my-goodness! I have owned one of those Taper Tippers for 35 years and never knew it actually had a purpose!!! Now I know. Hah!

  9. That’s a neat item for candles, Susan. That is such a pretty table, I love admiring it!

  10. That looks like such a handy little tool, I can’t believe they are not more widely available! Thanks for the tips Susan, and for the party today-

  11. Well, isn’t that a cool little tool! I have some serving pieces that are Wilton Armetale, and have even sold some vintage pieces (children’s ABC plates), but I haven’t seen the candle taper. I love it when bloggers and readers share good info – thanks! As always, thanks for Met Monday.

  12. Susan, thanks for hosting! That is a great tool to have! Thanks for sharing!

  13. Thanks for hosting Susan!

  14. Oh my. Within moments of reading your taper tipper post, I found them on eBay. I bought three…one for me and one for each of my children! Thanks for a great tip (pun intended)! Cherry Kay

  15. Susan, when I think of all the mess I’ve created over the years while trimming candles over the garbage can with a knife, this post really excited me! So I went straight to trusty old eBay and found one, along with 2 pewter candlesticks I may or may not keep. I will treasure this little gadget! I loved this post, also, because it gave me another opportunity to look at this elegant tablescape you created last week! Hope you have a good week and that we in the south cool down a bit!

  16. Thanks so much for the party Susan! Your tablescape is just beautiful!!!

  17. On the hunt for one of these taper tippers! Ha! We learn something everyday! Thanks for letting us know that there is a much easier way of doing things. Appreciate all your great tips and inspiration.

  18. There is a candle sharpener for sale now on Amazon for 6.70 or so.

  19. I’ve never even heard of a Taper Tipper before, but it really looks like a handy tool. Thanks for sharing, now I need to look for one.

  20. Susan,
    Thanks for hosting each week!
    Hugs,
    Deb

  21. Another handy idea and something nice enough to leave on a tray or so. But when I try to say taper tipper aloud, it keeps coming out tipper tapper! Like an I Love Lucy episode. Vita something?

  22. Thanks for hosting. You have a great party. Your tablescape is gorgeous.

  23. Love your table. Would love to know if your beautiful white chargers are still available.

    • Thanks, Tina! I bought those at Horchow online back in 2008. I haven’t seen them on their site but once since then and that was many years ago. On the back they say: Vintage Garden, Ambiance Collections. Maybe you can find them on eBay or Replacements.com.

  24. Susan, that is the prettiest centerpiece!! Serious swoon…. 🙂

  25. Carol Anne says

    It’s a “pencil sharpener ” for candles. I’ve had one for years, although not the same brand that you have. It’s a very handy item.

  26. You learn something new every day…never heard of a taper tipper. Beautiful table setting, too.

  27. That sounds like a great invention! Worth the buy I am sure!

  28. Just bought a Taper Tipper-like device from amazon.com. Thanks for letting us know about this, Susan. Whittling down the ends of taper candles with a knife is a pain in the rear. Thanks for another great Metamorphosis Monday!

  29. Cyndi Raines says

    What a great idea – such a simple solution for a messy task! Love it. Ordering the plastic one on Amazon – hope it works as well. Thanks! 🙂

  30. –I HAVE to find one of these!
    Great info–thanks!
    Catherine

  31. I wonder if that classy antique place you go to might have one someday.. Antique shops might be the best place to find one and they might not even know what it is. Happens that way sometimes….

    • You know, I bet they have and I probably walked right by it not realizing what it was. Robin, just wait a bit and then check eBay. When I purchased mine on eBay, there were a bunch of them on there. I saw like 6-8 on there at that time. But after that post went up and folks mentioned having trouble finding them on there, I looked and sure enough, they had all sold. So I think the BNOTP readers must have scooped those up. Since there were so many listed before the post went up, I bet you’ll see more appear on eBay before long.

  32. What a brilliant idea!

  33. Hi! I saw your post on candle taper tipper. Just loved it. So, I had to have one too. I’m always having parties. Thanks for the helpful directions on how to use it. I can’t wait for it to arrive. Thanks again, jane

  34. Lisa Carlson says

    You’re a life saver. Hosting Rehearsal Dinner in 5 days and was dreading chiseling these candles to fit holders. With limited time I found a “candle shaper” online with 2 day delivery. Whew. Thank you.

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