Have I got Laha or what:

Joined
Mar 1, 2002
Messages
1,822
I have been waiting for the last part af the formula that I have for over a week. And, it finally arrived yesterday afternoon. Just when It was time to do evening chores. Carnauba Wax was the last part that I was waiting on. This morning I went to the little shop, dumped my pitch into the pan started the heat under it and started measuring beeswax and carnauba. when I thought that the pitch was melted enough I put in the beeswax. A few minutes later the carnauba flakes were dumped in. when all looked melted I started stiring the mess. When all looked to be mixed pretty well, I used the piece of quarter inch dowel that I was stiring with to put just a drop on a wood handle that I had put on the damaged Ontario khuk that my son had left with me. There were two small gaps between the slabs for the handle that I wanted closed.

The brew started to thicken rether quickly but not to panic, I let it harden pretty well and checked with my finger nail and noticed that it seemed brittle. The other drop was hard as a brick. The part that was brittle I scraped back into the pan and turned up the heat. I let it get up to what looked like it was just about ready to boil and started stiring again. I wantd to make sure that things were properly mixed this time so 5 minutes later I thought that I was ready to try again. With the higher heat the drop that I got from the end of the dowel was smaller too. Into the crack it went and smoothed out pretty well on its own.
While I was waiting for things to cool with the knife I wanted to find out just what this Curtler's Resin would stick to. Just a touch to wood, leather, plastic, glass and a piece of aluminum. I had just touched the blade so I did not try another piece of steel.

When the gents in the other forum say that this stufff will stick to just about anything they were not streching the truth one bit. I even tried a piece of ceramics before I turned off the fire.

I went out this evening before it got dark and checked my brew and all the things that I had put the resin to and the only way that this stuff is coming off is to file it off or grind it with rotary stones. On the knife the cracks are full and smooth now. Now forumites, think about doing a job with commercial resin and not have any waist what so ever. All the resin that I filed from the knife handle went back into the pot, The resin that was in the file went in the pot using a wire brush all is ready to be heated up again and used the same way. So, even though the three ingredients may cost a bit, the end result is cheaper from no waist. And, before I went to bed I went out and checked one more time and the resin is just about as hard as the hubs of hell.

I was going to wait to put this on the forum till tomorrow but I wanted to get it here before I could forget anything that I did. I know that there are other formulas for this resin and if need be I will vary the way I mix it in the future for what ever purpose that I may need the different mix. The way this turned out. I am sure that it will be used more than any other mix that I will ever use. :)
 
The little experimenting I've done so far has left me with
material that is either too soft or too brittle.

I've been testing by 'glueing' two popsicle sticks
together with 50% overlap. Let them come to room
temperature without help, then bend until . . . . .

So far the bond always fails before the thin wood breaks.

Also tried microwaving the glued sticks (propped to insure
alignment) to be sure all wood and glue got hot together.

Can you try the popsicle stick test and tell me
how your glue fairs ?
 
Pappy,
Don't lose the recipe for that stuff, it sounds like something I've just got to give a try. When I get back to Texas, and have had a chance to catch up, I plan to make a couple of new accessory knives for my Pen knife. I'll grind the blades out of files, use some buffalo horn from Texas Knifemaker's Supply for the handles, and some genuine Pappy's Lone Star Laha to hold everything together:)

Sarge
 
Pappy,

Sounds like it cost you a pot as well as the outlay for the materials! And from your description, it was worth it.

If one carried some with them in a field kit, do you think it could be softened for use by a cigarette lighter for use without igniting? Or would carrying a miniature pot like a thimble with a handle or a spoon be the way to go?
 
Dean, I don't know how long your brew had to cure. I will try some more tests and see what happens. This morning I could barely dent the stuff with my finger nail. What we have experienced may be why the natives added the dung or charcoal dust to give it the hardness needed. I'll keep you posted but the resin I put on the knife is very hard.

Firkin, the pot was pretty cheap. My wife found it in a thrift store for less than $2.00. I am going to try to use waxed paper and make some small pieces of the resin to be used where ever a guy might be. A long handles spoon might work but, the stuff has to be pretty hot. I'm not sure that It would work with out being in liquid form. I'm thinking that it would not stick as well without being a liquid. This first batch of resin is probably going to be used mostly for experiments. If all of my ideas for the brew works pretty well I will have a journal of different mixes and how it was used. So I can duplicate all of my test results later if needed for other kinds of projects.

I'll try to keep those interested informed of how things turn out, especially the good results. For now the most inportant part that I have found out is to get enough heat for the three ingredients to mix well. Without being well mixed there will be brittle parts for sure.:)
 
By the time you get back I am going to try to have all the experimenting done so I know that we can brew you up something that will not fail.
I'm not sure where my head has been. I am beholden to you yet. You and the guys take care and God Bless.;) :)
 
and looked up the song lyrics.

So sue me.


"Ya Ya (Dorsey - Robinson)
=====

Well I'm sitting in the lala,
waiting for my ya ya, ahaha.
Well I'm sitting in the lala,
waiting for my ya ya, ahaha.
It seems a little funny
but I think she's coming, ahaha.

Hey baby hurry,
don't make me worry, ahaha.
Hey baby hurry,
don't make me worry, ahaha.
You know I really love you,
yes I love you, ahaha.

Hey baby hurry,
don't make me worry, ahaha.
Hey baby hurry,
don't make me worry, ahaha.
Ah you know I really love you,
yes I love you, ahaha.



Kis
:rolleyes:
 
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