horn handle treatment

verax

verax

Joined
Apr 23, 2003
Messages
135
I have searched around the forums and seen mention of Fiebings hoof dressing and Hooflex, and a couple of other methods.

What would the best product (or treatment in general) be for my horn handled khuk?

I live in a fairly damp environment, khuk will get moderate, not heavy use. Good chance of the handle being completely wet for a few days at a time. (strapped to my pack in the rain)

I should mention that I do plan on lightly sanding the handle as well for a little better grip.

I also have 3-4 old knives with antler / bone handles that I would like to give some love to as well, since it has been almost 30 years since they recieved anything, and 1-2 of them are cracking some.

Thanks for any input!
 
Many threads on this already out there. Hooflex works good for me as winters can be kinda dry with the heat on. Summers somewhat humid. Notice the change in the sheaths. Much easier to draw the khuk when it's humid. Anyway, if your environs are humid you shouldn't have too much of a problem. A recent thread mentioned that handling the horn handle ie, getting the oils from your hand on it is probably the best treatment. As far as sanding it, probably wouldn't do that myself. Haven't had a problem with grip when using a horn or wood handle for that matter. No matter what you do outside of glueing the handle to your hand is going to be better than having a good grip. John Ek who designed the Ek style dagger demonstrated his dagger (which had no guard or ridges to grip) by coating his hand with grease and slamming the knife into a wood floor so hard no one else at the demo could pull it out. He had strong hands indeed. The biggest problem with using khuks is getting tired. The khuk can easily turn in your hand and on you!:eek: Enjoy.
 
In rural areas, udder balm has high lanolin content and is cheap. GOOP (for cleaning grease off hands) was high glycerine content as well.

I'd speculate that a wood handle would be at greater risk in a damp climate.
 
Fiebengs was recommended by Walosi awhile back. I couldn't find any locally so I got Hooflex. Supposedly Fiebengs has a nice minty smell while the Hooflex takes about a month and some re-education before it starts smelling "pine fresh".

If one goes only by lanolin content, Fiebengs is higher in that area. But then again you can get 100% pure lanolin at the drug store or at a science supply place.

Some gardening supply stores will have udder goo. I think the most popular brand is Bag Balm. I gots me a tin o' the stuff but I haven't used it on either khuk handles or my bag. It's a lanolin based product too.

I currently use two types of goop on my horn handles. Hooflex and some lanolin based boot sealer from Mountain Equipment Co-op. The boot stuff tends to bring out the grain in the handles for some reason. I likes this. :)
 
Thanks for all the feedback.

Anyone have any opinions (or experience) as to which is better overall, Lanolin or Glycerine?

Thanks guys, once again for sharing your expertise with a newbie.

Verax
 
Think that the wood does better in damp climates. Doesn't tend to dry out as much and crack. Wood should have a little water content. Just don't want to get it soaked then let it dry continually. Then it has a tendency to rot.
 
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