Kumar Karda and Watco update

A

arty

Joined
Oct 18, 2003
Messages
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I recently got an Amtrak Kumar Karda from a daily special.
It is not a tiny knife. The blade is about 6" long and 1/4" thick at the bolster.
I had to seal a slight gap at the buttcap with superglue, and file the cap a bit, since it extended beyond the horn handle. I finished the horn with 4 coats of Watco.
I used this finish on some horn handled khuks about 1 year ago, and none have shown any more cracks. When I tried using lanolin, I just got more cracking during the heating season in flatlands.
I now use Watco on all of my horn. It works great and does not change the appearance.
I originally got the knife as a possible present for a friend - but I am keeping it for myself. The handle is neat. I like the carving and the execution of the blade.
 
I like the knife so much that I am not going to give it away. It is a useful size - it will work great to crack the shells on lobster tails.

The knife would make a good hunter or skinner on big game, and is sure going to get some use in the kitchen.

It was a real bargain.
 
I scanned the title and thought it said:




Kumar Karda and Wacko update :D :D :footinmou

Thanks for the info
and the unintended morning smile. :)
 
Sorry to disappoint. The Wackos are running the government right now. They are not here on our forum, but some may disagree.
 
arty said:
I recently got an Amtrak Kumar Karda from a daily special.
It is not a tiny knife. The blade is about 6" long and 1/4" thick at the bolster.
I had to seal a slight gap at the buttcap with superglue, and file the cap a bit, since it extended beyond the horn handle. I finished the horn with 4 coats of Watco.
I used this finish on some horn handled khuks about 1 year ago, and none have shown any more cracks. When I tried using lanolin, I just got more cracking during the heating season in flatlands.
I now use Watco on all of my horn. It works great and does not change the appearance.
I originally got the knife as a possible present for a friend - but I am keeping it for myself. The handle is neat. I like the carving and the execution of the blade.
Click to expand...

Arty, which specific Watco oil did you use? This sounds good to me, but the only Watco I have is the Danish Oil Stain (Golden Oak) color. I suppose that would work but I imagine you are talking about something else?

Thanks for the tip and any additional info!

Regards,

Norm
 
I have been using the clear finish, the "Natural" Watco Danish Oil Finish. I am sure that any tint won't change the protective quality of the finish, but I didn't want to change the color. I don't know how the pigmented stuff would affect the color, if at all. Watco Danish Oil comes in all sorts of colors.

I have been using at least 4 applications, following the instructions on the can for each one. It sure won't hurt to leave the stuff on for more than the 30 minutes, reapply again and leave on for 15 minutes, and then wipe dry.

But I would be sure to wipe off any excess oil between applications, wait 8 hours or more and then start application 2, etc. If you do the applications in the morning and at night, it will take 2 days to get 4 applications in. Three won't work.
 
Sure. I think that the only reason it is important to have so many applications is that it takes time for the Danish oil to soak in. Knife makers use vaccum methods to speed up this sort of process with horn.
I don't have that luxury, but Watco has worked after 4 applications, with drying time between them.

I should mention that I used a solvent to clean off any possible wax residue before using the Watco. I used Fomby's wax remover, but plain mineral spirits might work. You don't need to sand the surface, and the Watco should keep the original look of the horn.
 
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