Hi Uncle Bill & All:
I'm just throwing this out: Maybe useful, maybe not.
I recently acquired an older khukuri on e-bay (a badge from the Second Ghurka Rifles was included in the sale - see posting by Uncle Bill "Another Field Report Which Is Pretty Funny).
When the K arrived it was exactly as described. After the transaction was completed, the seller, whose integrity is, I believe, beyond question, was kind enough to send me as much of the history of the K as he had learned.
Since it is intended to be a display piece, I thought a little careful cleaning and preservation was in order. The blade is in good shape, no rust and just a little staining. A application of Brasso followed with silicone oil took care of that. Ditto for the brass fittings. The scabbard needed on a modest application of Kiwi polish. The horn handle was my problem. It appeared to be on the dry side, with one crack, long since repaired (material unknown)on the underside near the battcap.
I was explaining the need of preventing further cracking to my wife, and mentioned Hooflex. I also mention that it was a bit on the expensive side. She asked my what was in it, ground pearls? I told her that, as far as I knew, the major ingredient was lanolin. She laughed, went to the bathroom, and handed me a tube of Alberto VO5 Hair Conditioner. She carefully explained that this stuff was almost pure lanolin in a jell form, and darned sure didn't cost $25.00 a tube.
I gave this some thought: hoofs, horn and hair are basically the same material. She uses it to counteract the drying effect of the Florida sun, which can suck moisture from a prune. So far her hair looks pretty good. I applied a little of stuff this to the handle and rubbed it in with a soft cloth. The handle looked much happier, and took on a soft satin sheen.
Any comments from the experts?
JimF
I'm just throwing this out: Maybe useful, maybe not.
I recently acquired an older khukuri on e-bay (a badge from the Second Ghurka Rifles was included in the sale - see posting by Uncle Bill "Another Field Report Which Is Pretty Funny).
When the K arrived it was exactly as described. After the transaction was completed, the seller, whose integrity is, I believe, beyond question, was kind enough to send me as much of the history of the K as he had learned.
Since it is intended to be a display piece, I thought a little careful cleaning and preservation was in order. The blade is in good shape, no rust and just a little staining. A application of Brasso followed with silicone oil took care of that. Ditto for the brass fittings. The scabbard needed on a modest application of Kiwi polish. The horn handle was my problem. It appeared to be on the dry side, with one crack, long since repaired (material unknown)on the underside near the battcap.
I was explaining the need of preventing further cracking to my wife, and mentioned Hooflex. I also mention that it was a bit on the expensive side. She asked my what was in it, ground pearls? I told her that, as far as I knew, the major ingredient was lanolin. She laughed, went to the bathroom, and handed me a tube of Alberto VO5 Hair Conditioner. She carefully explained that this stuff was almost pure lanolin in a jell form, and darned sure didn't cost $25.00 a tube.
I gave this some thought: hoofs, horn and hair are basically the same material. She uses it to counteract the drying effect of the Florida sun, which can suck moisture from a prune. So far her hair looks pretty good. I applied a little of stuff this to the handle and rubbed it in with a soft cloth. The handle looked much happier, and took on a soft satin sheen.
Any comments from the experts?
JimF
). The hoof preparations may/might provide more protection or penetration, since they are formulated for a heavier-duty purpose, but who is to say? One thought just popped up - don't even know if it is valid - The Hooflex, etc., may offer more of a seal when they have dried, but not necessarily. HHHMMMmmm.....maybe I should have tried Brylcream before I blew all that moolah on horsey stuff
