Thread: Old horn scales

I have some old horn scales on a Wade&Butcher that I'm trying to keep rustic the scales are a bit rough and I'm not particularly fond of them. They pinch inwards and the blade hits the side at the toe. I carefully dipped the scales into boiling water so the blade didn't get into the water and then shoved chopsticks in-between them to spread them apart while they cooled. It worked to spread them but they are still very uneven. So what I was wondering is would it be bad for the blade to be dipped into boiling water? If it's ok to put the razor directly into boiling water I plan on putting shims along the entire length of the blade on both sides then use close pins or something to lightly clamp it till it cools.
The reason I'm going through all this trouble to save the scales even though I'm not particularly fond of em is It's my best shaver and I only have three usable razors right now so I don't want to tare it down and make new scales for it right now.
So rely long story short is it OK for the blade to be put into Boiling water?

I have heard of people boiling the blade to sanitize it, although it is nothing I have ever practiced myself. The thing to watch out for is that it could ruin the temper of the blade, but as long as you don't go any where near 200 degrees C you should be fine. Water boils at 100 so you've nothing to worry about.

As to the scales allow me to recommend that you buy some neats foot oil and a fine rubbing compound such as emery. If you lightly sand them, then coat them in neatsfoot oil overnight, they should darken to their original colour and completely rejuvenate more or less. Then if you rub them under pressure with the emery compound, they will buff to a fantastic high shine. You would not believe the difference. They come out virtually brand new looking again.

If you like the razor that much, treat the scales. You'll be very happy.

As I'm a big fan of Butchers, I'd really like to see some pics.

Yeah sorry about forgetting the pics. I'm trying to keep an eye on my daughter while typing and intended on posting them originally but she distracted me.
I know how every one loves razor porn. And of corse it helps to see things to give advice. I think these scales may be beyond the help of neetsfoot oil. although I do need to get some. I've never used it but heard it's good for conditioning strops to.

If you went to that much effort on the blade, do the scales also. You'll notice a fair difference.

You mean new scales right. I was thinking about that I have the wood to make them And I guess I could just get them made up and finished then shave with it as is one last time then switch the scales that night and it wouldn't be out of commission long. I just am not sure I can keep myself from polishing the blade if I'm making Nice new scales for it and I like the patina on the blade.
What a dilemma. Oh well I guess I could have much worse decisions to have to make.

Originally Posted by gandrw

You mean new scales right. I was thinking about that I have the wood to make them And I guess I could just get them made up and finished then shave with it as is one last time then switch the scales that night and it wouldn't be out of commission long. I just am not sure I can keep myself from polishing the blade if I'm making Nice new scales for it and I like the patina on the blade.
What a dilemma. Oh well I guess I could have much worse decisions to have to make.

No I mean keep the originals, but give them the treatment that I recommended. I personally hate wooden scales. Rescales are a last resort, and there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the ones you have. You'll lose all the character if you rescale.

Yeah miss understood there. I'll have to pick up some neetsfoot. The problem with them is there made to look like tortes shell and they are also delaminating I am not a fan of torte but will keep them this way. I tried sanding them lightly to remove the torte look but it seems to be in between the layers hopefully the neetsfoot darkens them considerably.

Thank you for the advice I will post results here.

Intrigued to see how this project turns out.

Hope it turns out great for you!

If you depin the razor, you could sand the original scales up through 2000 grit, higher if you have it. Then buff them with some white rouge and chromium oxide to shine them up. If the de-lamination is on the inside of the scales, you can take some thin CA and put a drop on the crack. It will wick into the crack, sealing it and often doing away with that bubble look, or minimize it.

If you do decide to submerge the blade into boiling water..you should take care to ensure that the blade does not make contact with the bottom of the pan. if this happens, it could take on additional heat that would far exceed the 100C that the water is boiling at, and could lose temper.

Another thing that could work... is rigging up a clamping contraption with some small 2" metal c-clamps and various spacers, to get the scales where you want them, and using an oven at 200-225 degrees for 15 minutes or so, again ensuring your scale or blade doesnt contact any metal wires or sides, etc in your oven.... Dry heat sometimes works well with horn. after they are done, run them under some cold water or toss them in the freezer. it seems to "set" a little better and you get less bounce back! maybe I'm just crazy though lol.