I'm currently restoring/rescuing a James Barlow with Sheffield faux tortoise horn scales. The blade appears to have been brutalized by a botched restore in the past, but I'm trying to bring it back.

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While taking a break from sanding I remembered that the scales were warped. They are bowed out at the pivot (probably from over peening of pin) and twisted about 20 degrees.

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I've flattened/untwisted a bunch of new horn so I'm comfortable with that part of it. But I have never flattened
old, dry horn before. The horn is still flexible, but it is pretty dry. Since I don't want to destroy 150 year old horn scales, should I soak the horn in neats foot oil for a few days before flattening them? Or should I flatten them in their dry state and then oil them?

Thanks