Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20
Like Tree17Likes

Thread: Tortoise scalers, restoration yes/no?

  1. #1
    Senior Member miha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Slovenia
    Posts
    489
    Thanked: 83

    Default 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!

  2. #2
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    26,948
    Thanked: 13221
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    They are "Mottled Horn" and they are De-laminating...
    Neil Miller likes this.

  3. #3
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    3,816
    Thanked: 3164

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gssixgun View Post
    They are "Mottled Horn" and they are De-laminating...
    +1

    Regards,
    Neil

  4. #4
    Senior Member Tarkus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    I'm Gonna Spend Another Fall In Philadelphia
    Posts
    1,910
    Thanked: 495

    Default

    I love, love, love those collars.
    JBHoren likes this.

  5. #5
    Senior Member miha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Slovenia
    Posts
    489
    Thanked: 83

    Default

    ...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

  6. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    3,816
    Thanked: 3164

    Default

    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
    JBHoren and gssixgun like this.

  7. #7
    At this point in time... gssixgun's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Idaho Redoubt
    Posts
    26,948
    Thanked: 13221
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Neil Miller View Post
    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

  8. #8
    Senior Member miha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Slovenia
    Posts
    489
    Thanked: 83

    Default

    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?
    Last edited by miha; 08-19-2013 at 09:02 PM.

  9. #9
    The First Cut is the Deepest! Magpie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Upper Middle Slobovia NY
    Posts
    2,736
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    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.
    sharptonn likes this.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Tarkus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    I'm Gonna Spend Another Fall In Philadelphia
    Posts
    1,910
    Thanked: 495

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by miha View Post
    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!!!
    sharptonn and pfries like this.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •