Talk:French chalk

In bicycle tube patch kits

I can find absolutely no source that even hints that the description in this article might be true. In fact, I can find several sources that suggest completely different uses for the kit components mentioned here: 1) the chalk is provided to mark the puncture, once identified, and 2) the metal grater is provided to scuff up (actually clean off) the surface of the tube before applying the glue. One author took issue with the effectiveness of the metal grater for this purpose and suggests using a piece of sandpaper instead. Most currently available patch kits pictured include such a piece of sandpaper. Jobst Brandt on [Sheldon Brown] says "Although talcum powder on the outside of tubes does nothing useful, it is essential on the inside, where it is found in any butyl tube. Without it tubes would adhere to themselves after manufacture and not inflate properly. Externally, talcum may prevent adhesion to the tire, slight as it is." -AndrewDressel (talk) 14:37, 29 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

In the UK at least, the chalk is to prevent the rubber solution that has squeezed out from under the patch adhering to the inside of the cover, i.e., the tyre. Often the 'grater' for the chalk is moulded or embossed into the repair kit case bottom. The sandpaper (if supplied) is for roughening-up the area around the puncture, so that the patch adheres well. Usually a short piece of (often yellow) crayon is supplied for marking the puncture site. Ian Dunster (talk) 11:34, 3 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

How the Name came About

Any body care to add how the name came about. I know it seems obvious since its just called french chalk but anybody care to inflict. I'm guessing it has french origins, anybody want to explain where they come from (like a minor historical description) and who coined the name