Smoothing old scales

[GeauxLSU]

I have a Greaves razor with what I think are horn scales. From the blade pivot back, they start kind of rough and almost tan, turning blacker and smoother moving to the spacer. What would be the best way to polish them and restore the original black color? Thanks in advance.

[0livia]

You can and should treat them with oil.
Neats foot oil soaking or a blend of neats foot oil and bees wax applied and rubbed in is great for horn.
The color will get darker and you see whats still looking dried.
Then you can sand it with fine w/d sand paper, polish or buff.

[GeauxLSU]

Thanks, Olivia. I guess I should start light with the w/d sandpaper, like 400 or 600?

[0livia]

Yes, maybe that is enough.

[Pete_S]

You might try just polishing it without trying to darken the color, sometimes the brown to black transition can come out looking pretty good, better then plain black scales, in my opinion.