Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. 05-05-2009, 07:38 PM #1
    Kern
    Kern is offline
    Junior Member Kern's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    29
    Thanked: 3

    Default Tips on restoring horn scales?

    I picked up some rusty, spine-worn straights on eBay... three of the four look to have real horn scales. They all seem to have been submerged and then dried & let rust; some of the scales show graining patterns like other old horn I've seen.

    Has anyone reworked old horn scales? Any suggestions, cautions, ideas for refinishing? I was thinking of a light cleaning and buffing to leave at least one set "bare" to show the horn's natural 'graining'.

    Thanks in advance!
    Kern
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 05-05-2009, 07:55 PM #2
    Seraphim
    Seraphim is offline
    < Banned User >
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    3,763
    Thanked: 735

    Default

    Horn: oil it, sand it, oil it, buff it.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Seraphim For This Useful Post:

    Kern (05-05-2009)
  4. 05-05-2009, 07:56 PM #3
    ben.mid
    ben.mid is offline
    Large Member ben.mid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Oxfordshire, England
    Posts
    3,096
    Thanked: 763

    Default

    They need nourishing! Soak them in neatsfoot overnight. I sand mine over with wet & dry, up to 1000, or 1200 grit, then put them over a buffing wheel. It does wonders!
    Last edited by ben.mid; 05-05-2009 at 07:58 PM. Reason: I'm not as quick, but just happy to have a similar answer!
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to ben.mid For This Useful Post:

    Kern (05-05-2009)
  6. 05-05-2009, 09:53 PM #4
    Kern
    Kern is offline
    Junior Member Kern's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    29
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    Excellent info, thanks again!

    Once I get that project done I'll post pictures of the before and after.

    Cheers,
    Kern
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. 05-05-2009, 10:54 PM #5
    Neil Miller
    Neil Miller is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    3,816
    Thanked: 3164

    Default

    Sand it out to about 8oo grit and then buff on a wheel loaded with tripoli - they come up looking like glass!

    Regards,
    Neil
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to Neil Miller For This Useful Post:

    Kern (05-05-2009)
  9. 05-05-2009, 11:17 PM #6
    Kern
    Kern is offline
    Junior Member Kern's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    29
    Thanked: 3

    Default

    Give it a soak in neatsfoot first, you think? Or leave it parched?

    -K
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  10. 05-05-2009, 11:30 PM #7
    Neil Miller
    Neil Miller is offline
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    3,816
    Thanked: 3164

    Default

    See what it looks like after the buffing - if it has minor delamination the oil will help obscure it.

    Regards,
    Neil
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  11. 05-08-2009, 07:05 AM #8
    onimaru55
    onimaru55 is offline
    The Great & Powerful Oz onimaru55's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Bodalla, NSW
    Posts
    15,627
    Thanked: 3749

    Default

    Lots can be done with horn. Some links here:
    http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...rn-repair.html
    http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...le-repair.html
    http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...rn-repair.html
    The white gleam of swords, not the black ink of books, clears doubts and uncertainties and bleak outlooks.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  12. 05-08-2009, 09:20 AM #9
    0livia
    0livia is offline
    Beard growth challenged
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Berlin
    Posts
    1,928
    Thanked: 402

    Default

    A blend of neatsfoot and beeswax 1:1 works even better.
    (The neatsfoot is rather thin and sinks in quick. The beeswax helps it to stay in place.)
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Posting Permissions

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

Forum Rules