Help, beeswax issue

Discussion in 'Bushcraft' started by vonslob, Aug 25, 2014.


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  1. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    I cut up some beeswax this week end using a folding knife. How do i remove the wax that has accumulated on the blade and the handle. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
     
  2. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    @Bear works with beeswax. Perhaps he has a solution.
     
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  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Heat will start the process, melting enough to run off the worst of it. Follow with a petroleum product, gasoline will work. Be careful.
     
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  4. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    It got dunked in the melted wax at one point so my main issue is getting it to fold up again. I tried freezing it but there is still a large amount around where the blade pivots into the handle and inside of the liner. I am sorry i should have put that into my original posting. I had not had my coffee yet. However i am now at my cognitive max ( which is not saying much )
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Wrap a couple turns of coat hanger around it and play a torch over it, just warm enough to get the wax to flowing. That'll work for the heaviest of the deposits, but be wary that wax burns when heated not much above liquifaction. You'll likely need to soak it in a solvent to get the last little bit out of the the recesses. Be careful.

    I'm sure that there are other ways, safer ways, to do it. I just don't know them.
     
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  6. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Got a double boiler or can make one?

    Adjust the temp to just where wax will melt in the water.

    Drop your knife in the double boiler, the wax will melt and float to the surface.
     
  7. oldawg

    oldawg Monkey+++

    Soak in turpentine.
     
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  8. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    Why did I not think of that. That is an excellent idea. Thanks
     
  9. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    A combo of turpentine and bee's wax makes great furniture polish.
     
  10. Gopherman

    Gopherman Sometimes I Wish I Could Go Back to Sleep

    Goof Off paint remover will do it! You'll have to lube it afterwards it will remove the spots from a leopard!
     
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  11. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    I have a special cast iron pot that is only used for boiling grease and cosmoline off of gun parts.
    Drop in a disassembled Colt bolt carrier group and the shipping/storage Cosmo floats up to the surface. Remove with tongs and re-lube.
     
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  12. Bear

    Bear Monkey+++ Founding Member Iron Monkey

    Yup... that's what I use if I need to... more specifically... mineral spirits...

    Most times a heat gun or hair dryer will work to get most of the wax off or into where you want it... wipe it off or into the item...

    Yeah... you can make a pretty good conditioner for metal and leather with bees wax, mineral spirits etc... a lot of old timers have their own recipes for both leather and iron work...

    Thanks for the vote of confidence @melbo ;)
     
  13. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    I got it. Rubbed olive oil all over the knife, really working it into all parts of the knife. This soften the wax. Then dish soap to remove the oil. It took a couple of repeats however the said knife is now free of beeswax.
     
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  14. Higgy

    Higgy Tinkerer

    I keep a coffee can with some mineral spirits in it just for this sort of thing. Soaked overnight and the next day wax will be gone. WD40 would have worked very well, and left your knife protected.
     
  15. svjoe

    svjoe Angry Monkey

    Gasoline or WD-40 would be my choice...........
     
  16. Gopherman

    Gopherman Sometimes I Wish I Could Go Back to Sleep

    i got to give you Kudo's. Takes big Kahuna's to be stabbing a Bee Hive in the first place!![LMAO]
     
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  17. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I am so glad this thread was bumped. I have stuff on my knife, no clue what it is. Thanks for suggestions on how to clean it. It is sticky stuff.
    IMG_1264.JPG
     
  18. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Most likely it is Wood Pitch.... (Tree Blood)
     
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  19. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Like as not, it's pine. Gasoline soak will take care of it in short order.
     
    Motomom34 likes this.
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