Conkers

[northener]

My son just got back from conkering he's wanting to know ways to make them harder. We used to soak overnight in vinegar but i can't remember if it worked. Anyone?

[northener]

[redimp]

A quick Google

Hardening methods include soaking or boiling the conkers in vinegar or salt water; soaking in parafin; partially baking them for about a half hour in the oven to case-harden them; coating them with clear nail-varnish; filling them with glue or simply storing them in the dark for a year (the shrivelled ones often seem to get the better of the young shiny ones). My favourite however is that described by two-times World Conker Champion Charlie Bray who says, “There are many underhanded ways of making your conker harder. The best is to pass it through a pig. The conker will harden by soaking in its stomach juices. Then you search through the pig’s waste to find the conker.” Yuk!

Tell him to wear rubber gloves first ;D

[northener]

Thanks Clanger. You should have seen his face when i told him. He's stickiing with the vinegar.

[kenkew]

I introduced conkers to a village here in Belgium 2 weeks ago...new cheggies so they didn't last very long.
Oven baking works if you get it right....what-ever, if you find the best way let me know, I've got one or two waiting.

[cornykev]

Who for godsake discovered the pig method.  :o :o :o    ;D ;D ;D

[kenkew]

Might be this fella...

[coznbob]

Be careful on the baking method, I remember when my nan put them in the oven for me, next thing we knew we had an oven full of exploding conkers...   :'(

[nippie]

There have been articles in our evening paper recently that a few conkers scattered around the house will keep spiders away.
Anyone know if this is true? cos if it is I'm going out with me wheelbarrow tomorrow  ;D

[kenkew]

My string of conkers have been hung along-side a radiator for a month....they are looking and feeling pretty tough. Seems slow drying is the key.