Cutlers resin...fail.

David R · 25th March 2012, 06:11 PM

Today I had a go at making some cutlers resin compound to re affix the blade into my recent purchase, an Indo Persian khanjar. Not as easy at it seemed from the forums,
Various formulae perused, but all are variations on resin, beeswax and some sort of filler...charcoal, whiting, sand or fibre of various origin.
First attempt 2 parts frankincense (cheap Somali) 2 parts resin of unknown origin 1 part beeswax. Dreadfull fumes , burnt the teflon off the pan (not using a teflon lined pan again) and the dubious resin refused to melt. Experiment discarded, next attempt.
4 part cheap francincense, 1 part beeswax. Fumes, pleasant at first then noxious, bubbles and boiling but no complete melt of the resin, exp. discarded.
Lessons learned, not to use a teflon lined pan, I think that was the origin of the nastiest fumes, and check the resin is suitable. I think the first batch of unknown origin was probably a synthetic masquerading as natural, and I have my suspicions of the cheap frankincense.
I will try again sometime soon, getting this right will mean several projects can the be finished, but I might use a stove outside rather than indoors.
Any advice from people who have had success with this stuff very welcome.

Rich · 25th March 2012, 06:46 PM

I would suggest using black epoxy resin; mix epoxy then add a drop or two of black ink mix more - looks like old cutlers resin, but holds a he$$ of a lot better.
Just a thought.

Rich S

VANDOO · 25th March 2012, 07:15 PM

DANGER MAD SCIENTIST AT WORK HEE HEE!!,
I HAVE HAD SIMULAR EPISODES IN MY LIFE, OF SUCH MINI DISASTERS MEMORIES ARE MADE.
AROUND HERE THE POLICE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CALLED TO LOOK FOR A METH LAB BECAUSE OF THE FUMES.

Atlantia · 25th March 2012, 07:20 PM

Change the base. Try a mix using bitumen as a base resin. Solid, natural, you could get a chunk from anywhere that does tarmacing, most light builders will have it, roofers etc.
I'd be tempted to try mixing it with some very fine sawdust.

P.S. Do it outside and don't get any on your skin, watch the heat, wear goggles and gloves etc.

Tim Simmons · 25th March 2012, 07:33 PM

Sounds like you are using too high a heat and too quickly and burning the substances before melting into a usable substance. You sould not have any problems.
Use a gentle flame from a small spirit/meths burner or even a big spoon over a candle except a yellow flame will soot up. If you cannot find one work with embers of a fire like any native / jungleman.

katana · 25th March 2012, 10:37 PM

Perhaps using an 'un-known' resin is the problem ....impurities etc could affect the melting point. Pine pitch is often used and is nicer smelling

Curious as to why your using frankincence, an aromatic?

Best
David

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 25th March 2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Today I had a go at making some cutlers resin compound to re affix the blade into my recent purchase, an Indo Persian khanjar. Not as easy at it seemed from the forums,
Various formulae perused, but all are variations on resin, beeswax and some sort of filler...charcoal, whiting, sand or fibre of various origin.
First attempt 2 parts frankincense (cheap Somali) 2 parts resin of unknown origin 1 part beeswax. Dreadfull fumes , burnt the teflon off the pan (not using a teflon lined pan again) and the dubious resin refused to melt. Experiment discarded, next attempt.
4 part cheap francincense, 1 part beeswax. Fumes, pleasant at first then noxious, bubbles and boiling but no complete melt of the resin, exp. discarded.
Lessons learned, not to use a teflon lined pan, I think that was the origin of the nastiest fumes, and check the resin is suitable. I think the first batch of unknown origin was probably a synthetic masquerading as natural, and I have my suspicions of the cheap frankincense.
I will try again sometime soon, getting this right will mean several projects can the be finished, but I might use a stove outside rather than indoors.
Any advice from people who have had success with this stuff very welcome.

Salaams David R ~ I hope you survived the fumigation experiment

Definitely down the garden well away from the house ya ! Rich has a good alternative there... Good luck with that...

We use a strange Glue. To fix the blade, Lakk is used (Tachardia Lacca ) from an insect secretion. Essentially it looks like small blocks/ sheets of black pitch and is imported from India and Pakistan. The molten pitch-like lakk is poured into the hilts cuff(tuq) and the heated blade is sturdily pressed home .

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

25th March 2012, 06:11 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	Cutlers resin...fail. Today I had a go at making some cutlers resin compound to re affix the blade into my recent purchase, an Indo Persian khanjar. Not as easy at it seemed from the forums, Various formulae perused, but all are variations on resin, beeswax and some sort of filler...charcoal, whiting, sand or fibre of various origin. First attempt 2 parts frankincense (cheap Somali) 2 parts resin of unknown origin 1 part beeswax. Dreadfull fumes , burnt the teflon off the pan (not using a teflon lined pan again) and the dubious resin refused to melt. Experiment discarded, next attempt. 4 part cheap francincense, 1 part beeswax. Fumes, pleasant at first then noxious, bubbles and boiling but no complete melt of the resin, exp. discarded. Lessons learned, not to use a teflon lined pan, I think that was the origin of the nastiest fumes, and check the resin is suitable. I think the first batch of unknown origin was probably a synthetic masquerading as natural, and I have my suspicions of the cheap frankincense. I will try again sometime soon, getting this right will mean several projects can the be finished, but I might use a stove outside rather than indoors. Any advice from people who have had success with this stuff very welcome.

25th March 2012, 06:46 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I would suggest using black epoxy resin; mix epoxy then add a drop or two of black ink mix more - looks like old cutlers resin, but holds a he$$ of a lot better. Just a thought. Rich S

25th March 2012, 07:15 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	DANGER MAD SCIENTIST AT WORK HEE HEE!!, I HAVE HAD SIMULAR EPISODES IN MY LIFE, OF SUCH MINI DISASTERS MEMORIES ARE MADE. AROUND HERE THE POLICE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CALLED TO LOOK FOR A METH LAB BECAUSE OF THE FUMES.

25th March 2012, 07:20 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Change the base. Try a mix using bitumen as a base resin. Solid, natural, you could get a chunk from anywhere that does tarmacing, most light builders will have it, roofers etc. I'd be tempted to try mixing it with some very fine sawdust. P.S. Do it outside and don't get any on your skin, watch the heat, wear goggles and gloves etc.

25th March 2012, 07:33 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Sounds like you are using too high a heat and too quickly and burning the substances before melting into a usable substance. You sould not have any problems. Use a gentle flame from a small spirit/meths burner or even a big spoon over a candle except a yellow flame will soot up. If you cannot find one work with embers of a fire like any native / jungleman.

25th March 2012, 10:37 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Perhaps using an 'un-known' resin is the problem ....impurities etc could affect the melting point. Pine pitch is often used and is nicer smelling Curious as to why your using frankincence, an aromatic? Best David