Thread: Care of Horn scales

Just got an old Sheffield with Horn scales and wondered if there is any special treatment I should use with them and what polishing/finishing products are best for restoring?

i wish i knew the answer to your question. unfortunately i don't. i had 10 of them and i broke down every single of them while i was tried to re- pinning .

Try soaking in neatsfoot to allow the scales to become nourished. After, you can sand them over with wet & dry paper till they're how you want them. I've taken mine to 1200 grit in the past. After that they go over the buffer & come up absolutely gleaming!

I was told the following:

get 100% pure neatsfoot oil, NO additives. find it on SRD or the bay, pay no more than 10 bucks, will last you years and years. Then, once a month, dip your finger in the oil and cover the scales inside and out, a q-tip might be helpful. Then let it sit overnight, wipe clean in the morning. Good to go.

Ben's advice sounds good too but my scales are already gleaming, they just need to be maintained.

I believe in simplicity. I use cape cod polishing cloths. Just rubbing them on horn or ivory or celluloid will bring them back to like new condition in a few minutes as long as they don't have damage. If thats the case then you have to go the sanding route.

As far as maint. goes like every one has said just use some oil. I use walnut oil and apply it leave it on an hour or so and then wipe it off.