Impala Horn - Advice Please

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Horns and antlers get their shine from their wearer rubbing them on things, polish away!



And like I said, horn is really just modified hair. Maybe giving yours a quick wash in some shampoo for shiney hair might speed the process (said with tongue in cheek but it might actually work)

Leave-in conditioner as a polishing agent? I have stacks of antelope horns in the garage, maybe I'll give my wacky theory a test run.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

[Chas]

Horns and antlers get their shine from their wearer rubbing them on things, polish away!

And like I said, horn is really just modified hair. Maybe giving yours a quick wash in some shampoo for shiney hair might speed the process (said with tongue in cheek but it might actually work)

Leave-in conditioner as a polishing agent? I have stacks of antelope horns in the garage, maybe I'll give my wacky theory a test run.

--Chelsea McMurdo--

Hi Chelsea,

That might just be the answer. I washed all 5 horn pieces in warm water and hand soap before they were photographed. I used a soft nail brush to get into all the crevasses as they were all very dusty. The outcome is as you see - 2 with a lustre and 3 quite dull. I have an old bit of flannel and I will try and buff one up.

Thanks for the idea.

Regards

Chas

[greenman11]

Some thoughts: I have done some work on horn material mostly making powder horns for black powder shooting. It would seem to me , just as mentioned, the horn material can be flattened out by softening with warm water and gentle consistant applied pressure. By slicing the button horns with the grain, following the curve, the usable area would be maximized. Patience is needed to prevent cracking and splitting. You might check out some information on powder horn construction. The MLRA website would be a good resource.

Good luck