Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

Hello all, I've recently started using 50/50 (by weight) beeswax/neatsfoor polish I brewed up myself and I have a few questions; My resulting finish is quite hard and applying it with my fingers as recommended in other posts is rather difficult. Aside from warming it up, is there a way to tweak the formula to bring it to a consistency more like shoe polish? Perhaps increase the amount of neatsfoot? Also, I've been thinking about making some up in quantity. Are there any long(ish) term storage issues I need to consider? I have access to new quart cans (unused paint cans). Any reason not to use one as my melting/storage vessel?

Thanks in advance,

Nat

  • Replies 25
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

I did 50/50 by weight and its the consistency of really thick tooth paste. Softer than shoe polish. Id add a little more neatsfoot oil at a time till it softens up. Since it will need to cool in order to tell put a little on a cold spoon to cool it down fast to see how firm it is. Id start with 1/8 part more oil. If you used a cup each add 1 oz by weight to see if that works. increase as needed. A new can should be ok to store it in.

The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.

Bruce Lee

  • 2 months later...
  • Members
Posted

I use a 3 part mixture that contains beeswax, paraffin and neatsfoot oil. The paraffin keeps it from hardening up too much without requiring the use of a lot of oil. I melt mine up in an old pot and pour it into jelly jars.

Craig Collier

~Grizzly Custom Knives~

Posted

When you mention "paraffin" I assume you are referring to liquid paraffin and not wax?

  • Members
Posted

No, block paraffin wax found at the grocery store in the food canning section. Usually under the brand "Gulf Wax".

Craig Collier

~Grizzly Custom Knives~

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members
Posted

If you're doing large batches of this, Hobby Lobby and other stores have slabs of beeswax and parafin wax. They also have jars for storage.

Posted

No, block paraffin wax found at the grocery store in the food canning section. Usually under the brand "Gulf Wax".

Interesting, the paraffin wax here (Australia), is actually HARDER than the bees wax. Hence my question about the liquid paraffin.

  • Members
Posted

I have noticed differences between paraffin waxes sed in candles. Melting down one batch of yealights resulted in a crumbly crystalline mess.

  • Members
Posted

Randy- This mixture is used to treat sheaths/holsters and other leather goods to be extremely water resistant. You can apply it any number of ways, I apply mine hot (not hot enough to burn you) to an already warmed sheath. It will drink up a bunch of the mixture and harden some as it does.

Craig Collier

~Grizzly Custom Knives~

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...