Thread: First horn scales

Micro mesh pads can make for some crazy gloss finishes.

Originally Posted by JP5

How do you heat them up Carver?

Yes, what is your method.!?
I use a heat lamp. I keep it close, and move it back n fourth across the scales, testing the flex and temp of the scales. Once their soft and flexible, and I can't touch them for more than a couple seconds, ( Bare hand) I bend them backwards enough to brake the memory from the fibers, then press them flat on a cool surface, till set.

Works for cellulose or Bakelite, too. But not as hot as horn

Here is a black horn scale polished with micro mesh.


That is my other hand with my fingers spread reflected on the scale.

Again, sorry for the delays. It’s my granddaughters birthday!!!

Watched a video from London with guys who worked with horn. Also checked I with the guild of horn workers . Yes, there is such a group.

Do they recommend boiling water or any other such heat? No. Why ? Horn only looses its memory at 350-400 degrees. What’s the temp of water? 220. Yeah it’ll soften them enough to bend them better than stone cold but nothing that will last . Really, put them in boiling water and bend them like I just showed you. Ain’t gonna happen.its just not hot enough by nearly 200 degrees.

As someone mentioned you have to erase its memory. Some will say stick them in hot water and clamp overnight. That does nothing. Clamp for a week and it’s fhe same outcome. They haven’t need changed and made neutral and most likely they’ll move again . Heat them up with a flame just as these folk who make a living at working horn and you’ll have a product that will do whatever you want.
Heat them sufficiently and you can bend them into pretzels and straighten them back out again.
Exactly the same procedure early American Indians used to work horn. But today guys say boiling water. It simply isn’t the way to work horn. It may seem like it. But it’s not.

And my favorite outcome is sand and polish. That’s a reflection of a swing arm
Lamp and you see the bulb and the blue streaks are flourescent lamps 10’ up on the ceiling.
I’ve never used neatsfoot oil.

Hope your granddaughter had a great birthday! That is a really nice finish on those scales. They look wet. I haven't used any polish on the ones I posted. They are not original scales like yours btw. Mine were shaped from a blank.

Thanks JPS, she had a great time!
Polish really does bring out the shine. But the vast majority of my scales are from slabs. Polish up just the same.
Here are a couple quick examples

I used my day off to finish my horn scales. They are medium gloss, which I like with the not-perfect blade. Plus that was as polished as I could figure out how to do. Finished with Ren Wax.

I used my new belt/disc sander to thin and shape. If you ever wondered whether a belt sander can grab a scale from your grip, sling it under the safetybar, and jam the machine to a halt — the answer appears to be yes!

Nicely done! It has a perfect harmony to it . I think you are totally correct on the finish.