Care for horn scales

Hello gents.

I have a W&B I restored quite some time ago. I had it out to hone it today and noticed the horn scales are looking a bit dry. Does anyone have any methods for keeping them looking fresh?

Geek

Try putting some neatsfoot oil on the scales. You can pick it up pretty cheap at tractor supply if you have one locally.

I shall give that a try. I already have some. Use it on strops.

Geek

Yep, neatsfoot oil works wonder on horn. I usually do several soaks until the horn is saturated.

You could also let it soak in Neats Foot oil for a few days but that is a little inconvenient unless the scales are unpinned.

Bob

ooops late again

Well will try applying it by the rub for a few days.

Geek

Would mineral oil work or is it a no no?

might not sound good but you can rub it into your hair when they little bit greasy :) works a treat

Neatsfoot oil is the perfect medicine for horn scales, after all what is a horn it's very similar to your own nails, so any kind of nail treatment including those nail polishing files our wives use work perfectly on horn.

I gave it a go and they are looking much glossier. Thanks kindly.

Geek

Quote:

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Originally Posted by traps38

Would mineral oil work or is it a no no?

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I don't know, but what i do know is that neatsfoot oil and horn come from the same animal.

I don't know what animal mineral oil comes from. :gaah:

Thought this information should make the front page as everybody always wants to use the mineral oil where neatsfoot (not neatsfoot compound (which is Spanish for "1 part neatsfoot, 9 parts other")) is the "proper" thing.








okay maybe it's not Spanish. :shrug:

Local feed barns for neatsfoot oil here, works a treat I soak all horn items for a week at least when I get them

:OT Neatsfoot works wonders on baseball gloves and leather bike saddles too :OT