I have a nice buffalo horn handle brush which I ordered a few years ago from Kimson(?) in Viet Nam. I like the brush, but stopped using it some time ago when I noticed a few small checks forming on the handle. I've recently used some "Trade Secret" furniture polish on the handle. It shone up nicely, but I'm still hesitant to use the brush regularly, as I worry that constant exposure to water and soap will ruin the handle. Can anyone offer suggestions on regular care and maintenance of horn handles?
Care of buffalo horn handle?
- Thread starter icedog
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this is a natural object, which means is has pores, i would think a natural oil and wax would be best
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I use my horn handled Plissons all the time. I keep a small vial of mineral oil in my shaving cabinet and lightly coat the handle periodically.
I use Ren Wax on my ivory handle. I would think mineral oil or, perhaps even better, neats foot oil.
Find someone who oils their baseball glove. Ask for a few drops of what they use.
Find someone who oils their baseball glove. Ask for a few drops of what they use.
The care instructions that came with mine includes:
"To maintain luster and prevent brittleness, ocassionally put a drop of food or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil on a finger and rub into the natural horn handle."
So far I have been using vegetable cooking oil. What I have in the cupboard at the moment is Crisco Corn Oil.
If you are getting some checking, I don't see why you could not wet sand it out with 2000 grit wet/dry paper followed up with buffing to get it back into primo shape.
"To maintain luster and prevent brittleness, ocassionally put a drop of food or pharmaceutical grade mineral oil on a finger and rub into the natural horn handle."
So far I have been using vegetable cooking oil. What I have in the cupboard at the moment is Crisco Corn Oil.
If you are getting some checking, I don't see why you could not wet sand it out with 2000 grit wet/dry paper followed up with buffing to get it back into primo shape.
I just posted this in another thread:
To care for it, I would recommend tracking down a tiny jar of Paragon Wax (here's the cheapest source that I know of), which is a museum-grade wax that pipe restorers like myself use for smooth stem finished. I use that on parts like horn tenons and they shine beautifully. It's a harder wax than carnauba, and has the advantage that you can apply it by hand. I use paper towels to apply it, and buff it with a soft cloth.
I've probably restored a hundred pipes on my last jar of the stuff, and it's still about 40% full! A little goes a long way.
To care for it, I would recommend tracking down a tiny jar of Paragon Wax (here's the cheapest source that I know of), which is a museum-grade wax that pipe restorers like myself use for smooth stem finished. I use that on parts like horn tenons and they shine beautifully. It's a harder wax than carnauba, and has the advantage that you can apply it by hand. I use paper towels to apply it, and buff it with a soft cloth.
I've probably restored a hundred pipes on my last jar of the stuff, and it's still about 40% full! A little goes a long way.
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Use neats foot oil, this is the best for the horn! Its a natural oil that is extracted from the shin bones and foot parts of the cows. Use pure neats foot oil, the "compound" often contains a solvent. Also, Renaissance wax contains solvent and should not use as it can dry out the horn with the solvent. Most food oils can go rancid, so this also not a good choice. Neatsfoot oil or mineral oil is the best to use. The trick is to have a nice balanced moisture content in the horn, if it get too dry, then it cracks. The oil will "moisturize" the horn again. I apply it about every 8-10th use, but in my rotation of brushes, this would be about 2 times per year at the most.
Would I also need to apply neats foot oil to a bone handled brush?
Neats foot oil applied one a year keeps my half dozen or so horn handle Plisson brushes in perfect order.
As for bone or ivory (for which I own both) I don't use anything on either...
As for bone or ivory (for which I own both) I don't use anything on either...
Like Ben74, I only use Neats Foot Oil. There are quite a few brand of Neats Foot oil, make sure it is 100% pure.
As for my Ivory & Bone shaving brushes I use Vegatable Glycerine oil.
Charles U.K
As for my Ivory & Bone shaving brushes I use Vegatable Glycerine oil.
Charles U.K
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- #12
Thanks for all of the suggestions gentlemen.
I've given the handle a couple good coats of mineral oil, and it's looking better already. In fact I am so encouraged about its recovery, that I used it this morning. I'll keep putting the mineral oil on it until I have a chance to pick up some Neats ... which should be within the week. I also have a lemon oil/bees wax product which we have used on some of our old wood furniture. Thought that might be worth a try as well.
I've given the handle a couple good coats of mineral oil, and it's looking better already. In fact I am so encouraged about its recovery, that I used it this morning. I'll keep putting the mineral oil on it until I have a chance to pick up some Neats ... which should be within the week. I also have a lemon oil/bees wax product which we have used on some of our old wood furniture. Thought that might be worth a try as well.
Hi Lynn, still have my Plisson and oiled the handle this morning and still enjoy it. Tried to pm you several weeks ago to see if you ever bought that Plexi 20 and if you still had that remarkable collection. Hope you are doing well, Doug
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