Carnauba paste wax for horn handles?

Update: my Abro Super Gold carnauba wax arrived today. An American brand, it is made in Brazil, I understand carnauba is native to Brazil. Unlike a traditional carnauba car wax that has durability measured in weeks, a single application of this wax will last up to 12 months! Also, unlike the local market leader Formula 1, Abro is non-abrasive. Contrary to my earlier wax (Waxpol, which is a hard paste wax) this one comes smooth and creamy. (I'll continue to use Waxpol though - hate to waste!) Abro was a pleasure to apply and as per the instructions on the tin it hazed in 5 minutes. Buffed 5 horn handled khukuris to a gleaming shine. This wax contains PTFE (Teflon). Horn shined up great too! Glad to have taken a chance on this brand, 230 grams (8.11 oz.) cost under 5 USD. Give it a try.

Thanks pugs, Bawanna, ndog and Doug for helping out! And what do you know - one of these days I may just have to wax my cars after I wax my HIs - which would be a first!
 
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Ha! I have one of them Rastafarian cars. It only gets washed when it rains. Im afraid it will fall apart if I remove too much dirt! Its raining today so its getting a wash now:D
 
dvancleve said:
I am definitely NOT speaking from experience, but it seems to me that paste wax for furniture (like Johnson's, in the yellow can) might be a good choice. softer and oiler than any auto paste wax I have tried and doesn't have any of the polishing/oxidation removing ingredients.
Doug
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Does anyone have experience in using Johnson's Paste Wax for khukuris?

I just ordered a couple tins off Amazon. I have a couple of safe queens, wondering how long the Johnson's would take to evaporate if I were to apply "a liberal layer" and then buff. Any thoughts folks?

Edit: Read good things about Renaissance Wax but seems expensive. A seller on Amazon wants USD 50 for 200 ml. Some say that a little goes a long way.
 
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Meanwhile I dunked all my horn handled khukuris into a mixture of liquid paraffin (mineral oil?) and neatsfoot oil for 3 days. Then applied carnauba paste wax and buffed. Handles came out gleaming and I could feel a waxy layer coating the handles.

I'm going to try the Johnson's Paste Wax next time around.
 
Bawanna said:
I intend to put hoof flex on the horns handles but haven't got around to it and since I do the mineral oil thing, I'm not too concerned.
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Looking up Hooflex on the archives, someone mentioned the smell and they preferred not to use it, preferring Ballistol over it. Something to think about.

Meantime just placed an order for Hooflex (paste). Will be carried here by someone hopefully by Christmas.

How do you apply Hooflex? Use a brush or can you just use your hands and work it into the horn. Read the list of (9) ingredients and seemed reasonably harmless.
 
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The hoof flex I have has a brush in the lid. I've only used it for its intended purpose horse hoofs.
It's almost a grease consistency. I always prefer hands on when applying most anything.
Oil finishes, rubbing in with the fingers I think helps it work best.
 
Bawanna said:
I always prefer hands on when applying most anything.
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Thanks for sharing. So far I've applied mineral oil, neatsfoot oil, automotive paste wax (two types) at various places on blades and handles and now look forward to getting hands on with Johnson's Paste Wax and Hooflex, in a couple months.
 
I use the liquid Hooflex and just brush it on when im done using the knife. I just leave it on to collect dust and when im ready to use it again I rub it clean and repeat. In other words it pretty much lives in it. Same thing with wood handles but I use a mixture of mineral oil and or BLO or whatever happens to be mixed up. I think you got enough stuff now that you will never have to worry about conditioning anymore tho. No need for overkill because everything you got will work just fine. Id save my money and buy another Khuk.
 
ndoghouse said:
I think you got enough stuff now that you will never have to worry about conditioning anymore tho. No need for overkill because everything you got will work just fine.
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Ndog: A little something I picked up on this forum - Prepper's Creed? 2 is 1 and 1 is none?

I confess I was looking at Renaissance Wax...or should I just stay with the
crystalline wax that I believe is used in Johnson's Wax?
 
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I'd not waste money on Renaissance Wax unless you plan to wax the car you never wash.
Just not worth it. If you got a museum where your displaying your knives that might be different.
The oil in a persons hand is also quite good at conditioning both wood and horn.
I never wear gloves on my knife or shooting hand, both knife handles and gun handles get better the more you hold them.
 
Bawanna said:
If you got a museum where your displaying your knives that might be different.
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Bawanna, that cracked me up!
Ndog: I took your advice and checked with Auntie about any affordable knife under USD 100. Watch this space...
 
Ha! There ya go Amko! Now if I tell you that you have enough Khukris and need to save your money for something else then DONT BELIEVE A WORD OF IT!!!
Khukris are like sandpaper. Never even think about if you need it or not. Buy it anyway because there aint nothing like a brand new sheet of sandpaper and there never will be. Same with Khuks!
 
Amko said:
So far I've applied mineral oil, neatsfoot oil, automotive paste wax (two types) at various places on blades and handles and now look forward to getting hands on with Johnson's Paste Wax and Hooflex, in a couple months.
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Update: the Johnson's and Hooflex came a few days ago and I've just subjected the BAS to both. Others will follow.

I've only good things to say about both products. The Johnson's was remarkably pliant, as was the Hooflex, in fact I massaged them in only with my hands. Surprisingly both smell pleasant.

Still unsure as to whether I should be doing this after each use of the knife. If in storage, perhaps a couple of times a year ought to be sufficient.
 
I just do it initially when I get it, then once or twice a year is more than adequate.

Actually the more you use the knife, probably the less you need it, your hand will keep it hydrated.

I do like Ndogs idea of just coating them and wiping them off for use, no way they are neglected following that plan.
I hold and admire mine enough I'd probably not like leaving them coated but it's sound logic, whatever that is.
 
Bawanna said:
I hold and admire mine enough I'd probably not like leaving them coated but it's sound logic, whatever that is.
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Right on. I've held and admired my new BAS enough lately and will leave it coated after the new Thamar gets here...sound logic!
 
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