Thread: 2 finds barely used

Although these two show their age a bit, they appear barely used with little to no hone wear. They should clean up just fine.
The horn on both looks to be a bit dry. Do you think the would be ok with just a Neatsfoot oil wipe or should I soak them completely?

They are a 7/8th's/quarter hollow Wade & Butcher and the second is 6/8th's/full hollow has a 4 and GARANTIE To ENGL. STEEL.

Sweet pair!

I would coat them in neatsfoot and let them set for an hour or so then put them through a series of micro mesh starting at 900 and ending at 3000. Should look like glass. Also I would use neatsfoot to lube durring the sanding process.

Have fun!

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Wow. these are pretty big razors.
Congratulations on this great find

I would second Adam's advice to use neetsfoot oil to lube during sanding, but soak them for at least 24 hrs. It isn't going to hurt anything, and will help a lot. They need to soak up the good stuff. You can throw them in there blade and all. I usually use a shallow casserole dish, but you could use a tall skinny glass, or I have also heard of guys using ziploc baggies like marinating meat. However you do it, I would let them soak for a while. Then take them up through the grits to at least 2000. Do it just like a blade, make sure you get all the scratches of the previous grit out before you move up. Start high, like 800, and see what that does. Soaked horn can be softer, and you don't want to put gouges in it with lower grits that you have to sand a bunch of horn away to get out.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.....

Use the ziplock baggie method, it uses less oil, soak for at least 24hrs. This will do wonders for old horn.

Nice finds! I soaked some horn scales in Neets once and they became very pliable. The eventually went back to the rigid state after drying out for a long while. I would just give them a light coat and repeat several times over several days if needed. This has worked best for me.

Joe, how thick or thin were the scales? I haven't noticed that at all on the several I've done.

Originally Posted by medicevans

Joe, how thick or thin were the scales? I haven't noticed that at all on the several I've done.

This had to be quite a while ago. The thickness didn't leave as much of an impression on me as the results did so I am guessing that they were of average thickness. As in all natural things I am sure that there are variations in horn from one to another. I find it best to err on the side of caution when I can. I know I didn't like the floppy scales so I don't soak mine anymore. Actually, when I get a razor that has all dried up horn I give it a few light coats of Neets over a few days and it they still look aged or worn I take the razor apart and sand the scales back to original or better, more coats of Neets if needed and reassemble the razor. There are some in the collection I just left in the state I found them in as I like the looks on that particular razor.

The Horn scales on my king cutter also became very soft when I soaked them for a day. They are fine now, but I was very scared they would warp.

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I think the 6/8th's GARANTIE scales may be tortoise shell.