Refresh old horn scales?

[TMD]

Hello
I have an old manual stiletto with some poorly aged horn scales, is there a way to make them look better?
I dont want to ruin anything. just curious if there is something to be done.

/ TMD

[Bill DeShivs]

Sanding and re polishing is necessary if they are too bad.
If not, a coat of paste wax might help.
Posting a picture would give us a better idea of what it needs.

[TMD]

Thanks for fast reply! I will post pictures tomorrow.

[TMD]

create round image online



Here are some pictures, let me know what I should do.

[Tom19176]

Nice old false button !

[TMD]

Thanks Tom!
I have lightly sanded the scales and applied wax, the horn feels much better, not as dry. but visually its not a big difference.
Should I sand it more or what do you guys think?

[Billyfish]

Try some 0000 steel wool (don't bear down on it too hard. Then a dremel with a felt wheel and little polishing compound. After that some wax (I use renaissance) then a hand polish.
Picture is of a late 50's Eig thatI got from a parole officer that had it in his drawer for 40 odd years.

DSCF0575.JPG (164.39 KiB) Viewed 16989 times

[TMD]

Thanks for the advice. I will get a dremel and try that.
Yoyr picklock looks fantastic!

[Bill DeShivs]

You can also use Simichrome, Mother's, Flitz polish on a cloth strip to "shoe shine" the horn by hand.
If you try this, use only enough polish to saturate the cloth. You don't want to get it in the cracks and crevices of the knife. This will yield a much more consistent polish than using a Dremel.

[TMD]

Ok Bill! I will see what I will do.