Thread: Tortoise scalers, restoration yes/no?

Hello gents ,

I have purchased a (as I managed to understand with some help) George Johnson & Co razor (pics below) cca 1810-1850. If I am not mistaken the scales are tortoise (btw is there any sure test to distinguish them from dyed horn)? They look pretty beaten. Would you try to restore these or not? If so what would you recommend besides sanding, polishing, some sort of stabilization (eg epoxy?) anything else?






Thanks for the info!

They are "Mottled Horn" and they are De-laminating...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

They are "Mottled Horn" and they are De-laminating...

+1

Regards,
Neil

I love, love, love those collars.

...so (to make it clear to the idiot (me) ) it's a nooo for the restoration? .. I noticed the delamination but hoped a "stabilization" might take care of it to some extent?

thanks for the answers to all 3 of you

They look pretty badly delaminated hear the wedge. Sanding may make them look a bit tidier, but delamination often goes further than you expect, so dont expect much. Proably the best thing for them is soaking in neatsfoot oil - that will help make some of the finer delamination less obvious.

Tarkus is right - lovely rosette collars.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

They look pretty badly delaminated hear the wedge. Sanding may make them look a bit tidier, but delamination often goes further than you expect, so dont expect much. Proably the best thing for them is soaking in neatsfoot oil - that will help make some of the finer delamination less obvious.

Tarkus is right - lovely rosette collars.

Regards,
Neil

Plus 1

thanks guys,.. I'll give soaking a try (as soon as I find some neatsfoot oil here,.. my guess is a leathermen might have it), but will probably make a new pair of scales,.. I was thinking of keeping the collars,.. hope I'll manage to keep em nice

edit:
- how long do you soak scales in it
- what does the neatsfoot oil do, my guess is it fills/blows/"rehydrates" the horn hence making the delaminating less visible due to scales volume increase?
- if the delaminating is usually deeper and goes on wouldn't be a better alternative to try to file the horn with epoxy in eg vacuum and than give them sanding/cleaning/polishing.. I guess it should prevent delaminating?

I have had good success with placing a few drops of CA glue in the cracks and delaminated areas. If you have the ability to do the epoxy in a vacuum why not give it a shot?!? After you have done that, soak it in Neatsfood oil, and give it a polish. I place odds on money that it comes out pretty nice.

Originally Posted by miha

I was thinking of keeping the collars,.. hope I'll manage to keep em nice

I would throw my jugular in harms way before those collars.
If you hurt them I will cry!!!