Ross, you just break off the wedge and the bees draw from the remaining protruding piece of top bar? If this is a correct assumption, I may stop using starter strips. Seems as though the comb would be stronger if just attached directly to the frame.
As for the wax tube, not having luck with it. It was tricky at first, used it once. Pulled it back out the other night and the tube has already become detached from the handle. So, I just melted the wax in the microwave in a disposable storage container, tilted the frame and poured a little wax on edge of strip and the wax just rolled down the top bar easily. I may have used more wax this way, but much easier to do for me.