What types of oil can i use for my horn handle?

yoyobeerman · Jul 26, 2013

I want to soak my horn handle in oil before it gets epoxied; However, I've got no money to spare. I have coconut oil, and vegetable oil on hand, will ether work for my handle? currently have coconut oil on the blade of my knife due to its wonderful quality of solidifying when under a given temp. Will I have to spend the money I put aside, on mineral oil instead of epoxy? PS. This my seem like a trivial matter to some of you, I mean who can't afford to spend 8 bucks? Right? Me, every dollar I spend counts.

Bawanna · Jul 26, 2013

I would definitely epoxy prior to any kind of oil. Epoxy doesn't stick well to an oily surface.

I've taken to waxing my blade rather than oiling as it seems to attract debri much less, doesn't get into the sheath and then scratch.

I've recently tried Ballistol at severals other folks suggestion and it works very well. I sent some to Auntie a couple weeks ago and she says it's really helping with the cracked handle issue. She puts it on as soon as the blades arrive, on the blade also I believe she said.

I can't say for sure on the horn handle, I put the Ballistol on mine and it seems to suck it in a lot and was better for it. I would think most any oil would be better than none but wait to hear for the wiser and more experienced folks than I which is just about everyone else here.

I'm learning but it's a slow process without a fully functioning brain.

yoyobeerman · Jul 26, 2013

Bawanna said:
I would definitely epoxy prior to any kind of oil. Epoxy doesn't stick well to an oily surface.

I've taken to waxing my blade rather than oiling as it seems to attract debri much less, doesn't get into the sheath and then scratch.

I've recently tried Ballistol at severals other folks suggestion and it works very well. I sent some to Auntie a couple weeks ago and she says it's really helping with the cracked handle issue. She puts it on as soon as the blades arrive, on the blade also I believe she said.

I can't say for sure on the horn handle, I put the Ballistol on mine and it seems to suck it in a lot and was better for it. I would think most any oil would be better than none but wait to hear for the wiser and more experienced folks than I which is just about everyone else here.

I'm learning but it's a slow process without a fully functioning brain.

Lol, thanks bawanna. I hadn't thought of that! I am worried that I'll epoxy it and then soak it and it will swell, and then put some sort of pressure where it shouldn't be. Also I should tell you, the source of the crack was that the handle had shrunk and broke away from the front brass piece and started to allow movement that shouldn't be happening.so I am afraid that I will epoxy in-between and soak in oil and it will swell and that would make problems for me.

Dirtbiker · Jul 26, 2013

Do any repairs and epoxy work before you oil. I use mineral oil for my horn handles and boiled linseed oil for wood.

jdk1 · Jul 26, 2013

I can't comment on which to do first, but will second the mineral oil for the handle. There are other things, like Hooflex, but mineral oil at your local 'Mart is mighty cheap and will hydrate the horn very well. I filled an old glass mayo jar with oil and will remove the lid, set the khuk in handle down (leaning against my bench) and leave it in the garage all night. Then just close the lid when you're finished and there is very little loss. Good luck.

ETA: Cheap no-name super glue seems to work well on horn and wood. You should be able to get everything you need for less than $8 I would imagine.

ETA (Some More): I re-read your post and if you have handle movement, it could require some other work. I would post up some details on what's happened, add pics if at all possible, and you'll likely get some very experienced and helpful opinions. For example, if laha needs to be re-set, I believe super glue will melt it and help it re-set as epoxy may not. Just a thought.

mousegun87 · Jul 27, 2013

Ballistol is a multipurpose oil that has been around since pre-WW1 years. From what I have read, the oil is extracted from coal. It was designed for the German military in early 20th century as firearm lubricant and as bore cleaner capable of neutralizing the salt in corrosive powder and primer used in ammunition back then. But Ballistol was also found to be effective as protective oil for wood stock and leather accessories. I have used Ballistol for over 12 years now, mostly as bore cleaner when shooting corrosive ammo, but I have also used it on old rifle wood stocks and leather slings.

sweetcostarica · Jul 28, 2013

Ballistol means Ballistic Oil. Like mousegun87 said Ballistol is a multipurpose oil and it was developed long ago and is so good many, many people around the world are still using it. Yes it's very good for horn handles.

It is very telling that a main ingredient in this Ballistol in Mineral Oil.

But most folks from what I've read and talked to also believe for horn a good protectant/conditioner/restorer is Hooflex. Hooflex is the old standby.

Shann · Jul 29, 2013

Mineral oil is pretty much good for everything. You can buy a big bottle of it at the local superstore for cheap, and it will preserve metal, wood, horn, etc. It also works fine on the black leather covered wood frame sheaths to keep them from drying out. It will darken and soften leather so I don't recommend it on leather otherwise.

Dirtbiker · Jul 30, 2013

The best product I've found for leather is a product called Oakwood leather conditioner. It has beeswax, lanolin, eucalyptus oil and lots of other good stuff. It's a paste so a little goes a long way.

pugs75 · Jul 30, 2013

I use only mineral oil on my horn handle khuks, it works perfect and cost effective. You however should soak it for a couple of days, i take an old bottle that the handle fits in upside down put it in and fill till its covered secure it and leave it for at least three days. Once done you simply just wipe it down and you will see a difference right away the oil brings out any other colors in the horn that you could not see before. Give it a try you wont be disappointed.

Bawanna · Jul 30, 2013

Where you been Pugs? You have not been around for a spell. I still think of you and your leather often.

pugs75 · Jul 30, 2013

Bawanna said:
Where you been Pugs? You have not been around for a spell. I still think of you and your leather often.

Hey Man,
Been busy with a move out of state. Just settling in and trying to get everything squared away.

ogriso · Aug 9, 2013

Shann said:
Mineral oil is pretty much good for everything. You can buy a big bottle of it at the local superstore for cheap, and it will preserve metal, wood, horn, etc. It also works fine on the black leather covered wood frame sheaths to keep them from drying out. It will darken and soften leather so I don't recommend it on leather otherwise.

I use mineral oil as my all-arounder, it is the only oil I use, and I fully agree with you. I sometimes completely drench my khuk's blade in oil so the wood on the inside of the sheath gets some good oiling too.