Quote Originally Posted by Cangooner View Post
Best thing for horn is neatsfoot oil. You can find that at a saddlery if there's one nearby. You can wipe it on, but the best thing is to just let them soak in it. After they have been oiled, you'll have a far better idea of what kind of shape they are in.
I've done this with two w&bs and a J.elliot and it works great....just a little wiping off after letting them soak for 24 hrs or so and they look 'healthier'. I'll also add a +1 on the metal polish....especially at the pins. With a little rubbing, they'll turn nice and brassy. The blade, however........I say they're already scratched, the etching's too faint.....go for a nice shiny finish! I'm happy with my W&B 8/8ths that way, but w/ the J. Elliot, the patina was just too smooth, consistent, and had that "I took 180 years to look this way, get the hell away from me" look to it