Thread: What To Apply To Horn And Bone Scales

Is there anything one should apply to horn and bone scales to help preserve them?

You could try rubbing in a little Neatsfoot oil.

Bob

Originally Posted by TheLegalRazor

Is there anything one should apply to horn and bone scales to help preserve them?

The old classic goldsmiths way is to use ears wax or rub it in your hair, that gives it the natural waxes and oils it wants.
But otherwise use a nice oil like camellia oil or any mineral oil, you can mix it with wax like bees wax, if you want a better shine use a harder wax like carumbia wax.
I use camellia oil for both the blade and scales!

The goldsmiths may have been referring to the 420 'friendly' Earwax!(:-)

Originally Posted by Lemur

The old classic goldsmiths way is to use ears wax or rub it in your hair, that gives it the natural waxes and oils it wants.
But otherwise use a nice oil like camellia oil or any mineral oil, you can mix it with wax like bees wax, if you want a better shine use a harder wax like carumbia wax.
I use camellia oil for both the blade and scales!

Interesting - I believe that's exactly the same reason why neatsfoot oil works so well on horn: it is rendered from the shin bones of cattle. And so being a natural bovine-sourced product, the horn 'knows' what to do with it. And the difference neatsfoot can make to old horn scales can be incredible. The OP asked about preservation, but if you ever need to restore or rejuvinate old dried-out beat up horn scales, give them a good soak and the difference can be amazing.

I've never tried neatsfoot oil, have to buy some, if I can find it in Sweden!
But I'm sure it's perfect for scales!

Originally Posted by Lemur

I've never tried neatsfoot oil, have to buy some, if I can find it in Sweden!

Look for it in leather supply shops or (where I found it) saddlery/tack shops that sell saddles, etc. Just make sure you get pure 100% neatsfoot. I know there are a number of blends and mixes out there but as I understand it they don't work as well.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Look for it in leather supply shops or (where I found it) saddlery/tack shops that sell saddles, etc. Just make sure you get pure 100% neatsfoot. I know there are a number of blends and mixes out there but as I understand it they don't work as well.

Roger Wilco on that!

I can also recommend Micro-Mesh for polishing, it does wonders for the scales.
Whatever you use don't use use any paste on it, horns and bones got pores that will fill up with it.

I use Renaissance Wax with very good results!

Thanks for asking this question, its something I had been wondering about but had not got around to asking. Great info