Thread: Horn bender!

Ok.
So, how do YOU bend your horn?

I have here your a-typical old black horn razor (I'm guessing mid 1800's) that is in good shape and the horn is warped at the end of the scales, by the end spacer. Not pinched in, but they both bend toward one side. They do not contact the edge of the blade, but when closed the razor rests (broad side) on the scales.

It's more of an asthetic issue, however, what I'm wondering is...
Is there a way to bend them back?
(i.e. boil them in water, then clamp them down to a support till they dry)
Will they just eventually warp back with time?
Is it really worth the effort to fix?

C utz

Boiling water is really not hot enough to make the horn "plastic" so that it will mold and retain a new shape. The horn makers I know (for muzzle loading powder horns) use dry heat, typically a charcoal fire, heat gun, or an electric oven at 375 degrees. The horn will need to be held (clamped to a form would be best) until it is completley cool or it will try to go back to its original shape.

Worth it?...I can't answer that for you.

Dave

for what you need to do, steam or boiling water either one should work well, Chris. If you were flattening horn, you might need more heat but for simply bending back, that should do it. The moisture is important because the old horn is going to be dry and could be quite brittle. Trying to bend it without getting it steamed a bit could cause it to break instead of bend.

Can't stay...bye bye, now...

It looks kind of like a blow-drier but you don't wanna use it on your hair unless you're a big fan of 3rd degree burns The stuff is also good for eliminating oxidized plastic, thus restoring the black trim on old VWs, removing paint/other adhesives and shrink-wrapping.

Thanks!

I'll give it a whirl!

If all else fails, I have PLEANTY of people here interested in making scales

Thanks again........

C utz