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  1. 05-05-2009, 07:38 PM #1
    Kern
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    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
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  2. 05-05-2009, 07:55 PM #2
    Seraphim
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    Horn: oil it, sand it, oil it, buff it.
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    Kern (05-05-2009)
  4. 05-05-2009, 07:56 PM #3
    ben.mid
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    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!
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    Kern (05-05-2009)
  6. 05-05-2009, 09:53 PM #4
    Kern
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    Excellent info, thanks again!

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

    Cheers,
    Kern
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  7. 05-05-2009, 10:54 PM #5
    Neil Miller
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    Sand it out to about 8oo grit and then buff on a wheel loaded with tripoli - they come up looking like glass!

    Regards,
    Neil
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    Kern (05-05-2009)
  9. 05-05-2009, 11:17 PM #6
    Kern
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    Give it a soak in neatsfoot first, you think? Or leave it parched?

    -K
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  10. 05-05-2009, 11:30 PM #7
    Neil Miller
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    See what it looks like after the buffing - if it has minor delamination the oil will help obscure it.

    Regards,
    Neil
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  11. 05-08-2009, 07:05 AM #8
    onimaru55
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    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.”
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  12. 05-08-2009, 09:20 AM #9
    0livia
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    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.)
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