"I'm sticking with you, cos you're made out of blu" (Bostik Blu Tack)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Bostik Blu Tack
Date:	31/03/09 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: re-usable

Disadvantages: the way it's packed

Blu Tack is one of those things that, once you begin using it, it's hard to live without. The idea behind the product is that it's a gum-like adhesive that is re-usable, and 'shape-able' into whatever size or shape you need it.

First up, the stickiness test. I decided to write this review when I nearly had a heart attack last night as one of my pictures fell off the wall in my class-room. Now, that pic has been up for a year or so, and only now has the blu-tack lost its stick. The great thing is that, when this happens, you just re-squish it and re-stick it: hey presto.

Down-sides are that you can't use it to stick up anything heavier than a piece of paper or card, which limits it massively. Also, the Blu-tak leaves a smudge/stain on many surfaces, and has also been known to take paint away when it is taken off. Because of this, it is in many flat rental contracts that you aren't allowed to use it (mine included).

With all that in mind, the practical uses tend to be office or class-room based, with home use limited to, perhaps, sticking a list or photo onto the fridge.

Other alternatives are stik-it notes, which are permanent. They stick better, but let's face it: when are you going to want to stick something forever?

If you liked it, you can also buy white-tack, which is the same but white rather than blue (for a more pleasing aesthetic effect).

Finally, the Blu-Tack comes in an impractical roll, which always gets scrunched up when you take a bit off, and then no longer fits into the packet. Over time, it will pick up hairs, dust and fluff, so the people at Bostick should do a better job of the packaging.

Summary: buy it!