Kusmi #2 Button Lac

The value workhorse of the Kusmi button line. Same Kusum-tree source as our #1, same hand-refined cottage process, same partially-dewaxed button structure — single-washed instead of double, which carries a touch more of the natural lac dye into the button. That means a slightly deeper, warmer color and a working price, with the same pure, traceable lac in the jar.

This is the grade for the bench that goes through shellac. Larger restoration jobs, multi-coat builds, French polishing where you cut fresh sessions often — anywhere the difference between #1 and #2 disappears into the cured film and you would rather have the volume. The single wash and single soda addition are the only difference; the lac itself is the same Kusmi material.

Button lac is the historically authentic form of shellac — the one classical finishing texts describe, before dewaxed flake became the industrial default. It is partially dewaxed in the traditional way, squeezed warm through cloth bags, which leaves roughly two to three percent of the natural wax in the structure. The buttons are produced in small cottage operations, weighed and packed one bag at a time.

Mixing notes: see the pound cut chart for dry weight per gallon, quart, and pint at the common working cuts.

Sourced direct from a fifth-generation refining family in India who has supplied this bench since 1990. Pure, uncut, genuine.