Softening laha for hitl removal

J W Bensinger

J W Bensinger

Joined
Mar 26, 2009
Messages
2,228
Anybody have a system for softening laha? I did a repair on a noname horn handled khuk, and basically boiled the hilt for twenty minutes to soften the pitch. Not gonna work with wood at aaallll...
Err... The title should read "hilt"
 
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Did it with an ancient Kukri with wood handle. 10minutes in very hot water did the trick. It was still sticky and required hard pulling but it worked.
The wooden handle was still useable.
 
That's what i figured. Wondered if the oven at 200f would work, as it wouldn't affect the heat treat-don't know if that would be worse for the wood than boiling.
 
I've heard here before of putting the handle in a plastic bag and securing it up the blade a ways and boiling it in the bag.

Never done it myself but it apparently worked.
 
That's worth a try-i've given some thought to shortening the grip on my gelbu an inch or so-but then I could save up for a custom, but how many do I really need???
 
I figure if you need one, ya need em all! At least that's what I'm running with.
 
Very cool Jay! That's how I got the one off the ordep BSI I had to fix. I hoped baking at 200 would do it but I don't want to risk the wood.
 
I'd highly recommend not using the wife's oven for this. I've heard it is NOT a pleasant aroma. Make sure she's away and gone for long enough to air that puppy out.

That's how mine got a new toaster oven, I didn't figure a little melted kydex would hurt nothing. She didn't agree at all. I'd like to have her new one, much larger, could burn bigger pieces of kydex. Hmmmmmmmm.
 
The ancient Kukri which I dehandled had no Laha smell. Just a bit of Cosmoline smells that's it. Actually quite pleasant. But don't trust me too much. I like the smell of WD-40 and Ballistol brings back childhood memories I guess. Lol
 
Wasnt it General Patton that greased his tanks with alligator fat cause he liked the smell? Maybe it was cause thats all he had?
Jens Schuetz said:
The ancient Kukri which I dehandled had no Laha smell. Just a bit of Cosmoline smells that's it. Actually quite pleasant. But don't trust me too much. I like the smell of WD-40 and Ballistol brings back childhood memories I guess. Lol
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Wow, makes me want to go home and go knock on the neighbors door and ask for a cup of alligator fat.

I've heard and read a lot about Patton but I never heard that one.

If it ain't true it should be, right up there with TuenFro.
 
Maybe it was enemy fat?
Bawanna said:
Wow, makes me want to go home and go knock on the neighbors door and ask for a cup of alligator fat.

I've heard and read a lot about Patton but I never heard that one.

If it ain't true it should be, right up there with TuenFro.
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Hey J Dub! I accidentally found out how to edit the thread title. Hold down the ctrl key and double click it while logged in. You can change hitl to hilt for example:D Doesnt help with the Laha but might make ya feel better. Sometimes when it slow here i just hold down a certain key and type a bunch of crud and see if a DOTD comes up? Tomorrow ill try the alt key!
 
Ndog, you sound desperate! Do I need to send you something sharp and pointy to ease your pain. Not sure I got anything that you don't already got but anything I can do to help.

We should compare notes, I tried the PgUp key, no DOD?..................:confused:
 
I think you have to turn on the transponder first an maybe open the kinuter valve?
Bawanna said:
Ndog, you sound desperate! Do I need to send you something sharp and pointy to ease your pain. Not sure I got anything that you don't already got but anything I can do to help.

We should compare notes, I tried the PgUp key, no DOD?..................:confused:
Click to expand...
 
JW,
Boiling the handle off is the best way. If you use an oven it's probably going to stink horribly.
Bring the water to a rolling boil as hot as you can. Let handle sit in it for about 10 min. If it still won't come off boil another 10 mins. Use work gloves to pull the handle off so you don't get hot Laha on your hands.
Horn usually isn't affected much by the hot water, but wood can be. It will usually wildly raise the grain.
To protect a wood handle, one of boil in a bag or heavy duty freezer bags will work. Just be careful not to melt it.
 
Karda-thanks. That was what I ws figuring woul happen to the wood-good to know the bag trick will work.
Looks like a post-Blade Show project for me...
 
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