I have used WD40 on Ivory and wood for years without issue. The WD40 website recommends WD40 for cleaning, hydrating, and preserving ivory.
Some piano conservators do not recommend it for use on Piano keys as it can penetrate the thin ivory veneer and cause the glue to release, not because it affects the ivory. I only have 2 Tortice razors and have used it on both without issue. I have also cleaned many bone scales with no problems.
While I have only a few wood scaled razors, mostly Ebony, I use WD40 liberally on many hundreds of antique Rosewood tool handles to clean and to rehydrate, it does darken the wood but also brings out the beauty of wood. I finish Rosewood with Boiled Linseed oil.
WD40 and 0000 steel wool will remove decades of dirt, grime, and oils in minutes. The formulation of WD40 is a secret, many believe that it is mostly mineral oil.
The problem may be in soaking bone and ivory, I do soak horn in Neetsfoot oil some time the whole razor for weeks if I forget, it does not harm the horn or scales, and can revive the horn.
I cleaned a pair of NOS Ivory razors yesterday with WD40 without issue, and am soaking a pair of NOS Gutta-percha scaled razors that have turned greenish brown from sun light. You can see where the price tag was in the middle of the scale, and the Gutta-percha is still gloss black as is the back side, (likely sat in a display case for many years). After 2 days the green side is slowly turning black again.
Some piano conservators do not recommend it for use on Piano keys as it can penetrate the thin ivory veneer and cause the glue to release, not because it affects the ivory. I only have 2 Tortice razors and have used it on both without issue. I have also cleaned many bone scales with no problems.
While I have only a few wood scaled razors, mostly Ebony, I use WD40 liberally on many hundreds of antique Rosewood tool handles to clean and to rehydrate, it does darken the wood but also brings out the beauty of wood. I finish Rosewood with Boiled Linseed oil.
WD40 and 0000 steel wool will remove decades of dirt, grime, and oils in minutes. The formulation of WD40 is a secret, many believe that it is mostly mineral oil.
The problem may be in soaking bone and ivory, I do soak horn in Neetsfoot oil some time the whole razor for weeks if I forget, it does not harm the horn or scales, and can revive the horn.
I cleaned a pair of NOS Ivory razors yesterday with WD40 without issue, and am soaking a pair of NOS Gutta-percha scaled razors that have turned greenish brown from sun light. You can see where the price tag was in the middle of the scale, and the Gutta-percha is still gloss black as is the back side, (likely sat in a display case for many years). After 2 days the green side is slowly turning black again.