Thread: Any ideas for oil to protect old W&B horn scales?

I've got an old old 8/8s W&B wege, and the old black horn scales are in very good shape - maybe one little bugbite. But the scales seem dry, particularly now I've used it and gotten them wet.

I don't want to replace the scales. No cracks, they are perfectly weighted etc. But is there anything I can apply to them to preserve them and protect them from water over time? I've heard of tung oil but don't know what it is. I've applied the ballistol I apply to my blades, but don't know if that's doing anything.

Now I'm just guessing, but linseed oil would be my choice. Since it's used for protection of wood and both wood and horn has a "grain", plus, it's a pure nature product.
I one wants to, you can add a little sicative (linseed oil hardener) to make it harden a little more quickly.

Mind you, this is just a guess, I'm sure there are plenty of people here who actually KNOWS!

Anyways, I'm going to try it out myself, got me a W&B with horn scales, and right now I've got nothing better to do....

Best regards

Clas

I would suggest Renwax if you must use something

Originally Posted by kevint

I would suggest Renwax if you must use something

I've heard that is real good for wood and have looked for it locally but had no luck. Did you get it off of the web or at a local store ?

I always use Neatsfoot oil - you can get it from saddlers and tack shops - and it works very well, with the bonus that it cn be buffed to a nice sheen once dry - though if the scales are flaky or extrremely dry it's best to apply the oil, wrap the razor in greaseproof paper and put it away for a week or so to give the oil chance to soak in properly. It's not a quick fix but the best I have used.

I also use neatsfoot oil on horn scales. you might need to do a few applications of it if the horn is very dry but the upside is that with little to no further maintenance horn scales should out last you grand-children's children.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've heard that is real good for wood and have looked for it locally but had no luck. Did you get it off of the web or at a local store ?

woodcraft I think... excellent for metal too

Soak the scales in mineral oil over night then wipe off and buff.