Dry horns and ivory - how to treat these?

[SkullKeeper]

My friend has some horns and ivory that seem to be too dry. What is recommended as a treatment?
Thanks in advance everyone !

 

[BryceM]

WD-40 works well for horns. It’s fish oil, basically. As for ivory…… I dunno. I wouldn’t think it needed anything, but I’m here to learn.

 

[RR 314]

See if this will be affirmed by the experts here. I certainly am not one. However, I’ve known numerous people to use mineral oil on ivory. I’ve also knew an old gunsmith that swore by mink oil for collectible ivory gripped handguns.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

My friend has some horns and ivory that seem to be too dry. What is recommended as a treatment?
Thanks in advance everyone !

Here by @buck wild:

Thread 'Re-conditioning Horns'

Nov 16, 2020

Here is how I get a little life back into those boiled, dry out horns that come back to us. These are my personal sable and roan horns rec'd recently. I took careful measurements before leaving and needed to rebuild approx 1/2 " of horn to each.

First I make a silicone mold of the bottom 3/4" of each horn. I can provide more info on this later if someone is interested.

I next taken softened beeswax and apply a liberal coating over the entire horn. This will fill the cracks and provide a natural sheen.

I use a low heat source (hair dryer, paint stripper on...

• buck wild
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Articles

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• 

 

[SkullKeeper]

Here by @buck wild:

Thread 'Re-conditioning Horns'

Nov 16, 2020

Here is how I get a little life back into those boiled, dry out horns that come back to us. These are my personal sable and roan horns rec'd recently. I took careful measurements before leaving and needed to rebuild approx 1/2 " of horn to each.

First I make a silicone mold of the bottom 3/4" of each horn. I can provide more info on this later if someone is interested.

I next taken softened beeswax and apply a liberal coating over the entire horn. This will fill the cracks and provide a natural sheen.

I use a low heat source (hair dryer, paint stripper on...

• buck wild
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Articles

• 
• 

Thank you !

 

[SETH RINGER]

WE USE RENAISSANCE WAX ON ALL OUR IVORY. NOT SAVY ENOUGH TO POST A LINK BUT IT IS ON AMAZON

 

[towserthemouser]

From Ndlovu: The Art of Hunting the African Elephant by Richard Harland:

"Tusks kept in a trophy room or at a home, particularly in the generally moister climates of the northern hemisphere, should not crack..... in particular they must be kept away from fireplaces and heating units. Extremes of heat and cold are bad news for ivory.

A good application of wax-based furniture/floor polish is wiped as far as possible into the tusk's cavity by the taxidermist, moisturizing and sealing the inner surface. The exterior of the tusks should then be waxed and polished yearly. Besides the preservative effect, it adds to the patina of the dentine and enhances the grain."

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

WD-40 works well for horns. It’s fish oil, basically. As for ivory…… I dunno. I wouldn’t think it needed anything, but I’m here to learn.

Since when did WD40 become fish oil? News to me

 

[JimP]

Since when did WD40 become fish oil? News to me

It's always been fish oil based along with other ingredients.

It also works great sprayed on lures and bait while fishing.