Removing gunk

airyq

airyq

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2003
Messages
817
I have bought folding knives with natural handles, eg. bone, stag and horn, and these have come with a greasy black gunk in the nooks and crannies. My guess is that this is the dust from polishing the handles, mixed with some grease from the manufacturing process. A nuisance to clean off and quite difficult to really clean as it will remain in the littlest nooks. I have tried a toothbrush and soap and water, this works but I am reluctant to do this with a horn handle. I have been using toothpicks to slowly scrape the gunk off but this is slow and some times not effective. Any one have the same problem? Any remedies?
 
WD-40, then use canned air to blast it out.
 
Thanks Planterz. Should have clarified, the horn that I was referring to is cow, and not stag or elk which is almost like bone. I understand that cow horn handles should not even be washed as they would absorb water and warp. Would WD40 harm cow horn?
 
I haven't got a clue. Never had a knife with bone/antler/horn.
 
I have just gotten a Fontenille Pataud horn handled Laguiole with file work on the backspring and around both liners and the file work is all filled with this black gunk. Cost me quite a bit, so that is why I have not just scrubbed it with a toothbrush with hot soapy water.
 
I would try some mineral oil, (any drugstore), and use a soft lintless towel, like a dish towel, to rub around those areas. Once the "Gunk" softens up , the mineral oil should help "float" it away. If you are going to do this polishing, etc. regularly, like I do, I bought a chamois and cut it into pieces. It doesn't scratch, removes fingerprints and "stuff" and it can be washed in warm water, and comes back almost like new. YMMV.

Bill
 
Thanks, El Lobo. Will try that. I think that I have read some where that horn should be oiled any way.
 
Yeah mineral oil is good stuff. Japanese swords have been preserved with it for the last 500 years. Wood likes it. Besides it's non-toxic.

FWIW I use a sonicare vibrating toothbrush to clean out the pores in wood. (Until my wife tossed out the old brush I had for it. She thought it looked awful ugly and stained.... another story).

Steve
 
I'm afraid that you are stuck with toothpicks and elbow grease.
 
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