Ram’s horn scales are deforming

MolokaiRider

MolokaiRider

Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
9,059
Sup Forumites.

Just a quick question concerning ram’s horn used as scales.

I have been enjoying my 2020 Forum knife immensely. It’s been awesome.

I accidentally left it in my pants pocket and it went through the wash. Now one of the scales is curling pretty bad. The other is just slightly curved.

Is there any way to get them back to flat? Heat gun maybe and clamps? Soak in water?

I could use some input from those in the know.

I would certainly entertain purchasing new scales (any kind really) to get this knife back into service. As of now, it’s pretty uncomfortable to hold.

Thanks in advance.
 
The up-side is they are screwed on, so you might be able to remove them, get them wet, and re-clamp flat with heat?

I've never worked horn, so wait for someone with experience to say so.

I have seen a boyer take rams horn and work it to the shape they needed, so I think it can be moved.
 
Try soaking them overnight in food grade mineral oil. Recommended for all natural scales, including stag.

just drop the knife in a mug/cup full of mineral oil so its totally immersed
 
Thanks for the replies so far.

I am looking for my Wiha drivers so I can get the scales off.

While I hope I can find a solution to flatten these, I am not opposed to purchasing another set.

Does anyone know where scales can be purchased? Or if that’s even an option?
 
jbmonkey said:
^not so sure about that. while I'm no knifemaker....I've read many times from @Bill DeShivs who is a knifemaker here, the exact opposite.
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that recommendation comes from Jerry Fisk and other Mastersmiths. I’ve been doing it for years with no adverse effects. You have nothing to lose trying it, as the mineral oil is safe for the blade & pivot. If it doesn’t work, you have thr option to replace the scales. Several members here offer that service
 
Steam is what is traditionally used for horn bending, straightening, and impressioning. I've seen it done, and done it myself by positioning the scales above boiling water, and then slowly clamping it up between a pair of wood boards and c - clamps. Sometimes it works well, sometimes the results are just mediocre.

Edit - Oil works well with stag and ivory. It will probably be decent on horn too.

Vinegar and Ammonia soaking and straightening are another type of method, but I'd be worried about the smell being trapped.
 
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Ron Sabbagh said:
that recommendation comes from Jerry Fisk and other Mastersmiths. I’ve been doing it for years with no adverse effects. You have nothing to lose trying it, as the mineral oil is safe for the blade & pivot. If it doesn’t work, you have thr option to replace the scales. Several members here offer that service
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and you and they may be right. I have no idear as I never tried it. I know Bill has said it softens antler and stag and not to use it for those those products.

rams horn may be different enough though? just want to make sure Molokai gets the best advice before he tries anything, that's all. yours may be the best advice, no harm in getting more expert opinions.
 
I think that softening them is exactly what you want to do in order to try getting them back to shape.

The scales have curled up. At this point, you may have nothing to lose by trying mineral oil.
Instead of a soak, maybe apply heavily with a brush and immediately put into wood blocks to press flat. Take it slowly and repeat with oil & pressing. When flat, leave in press long enough for scales to dry completely so they won't recurl after you reinstall.
 
I hope one of the above works for you. Pretty sure since horn is keratin it should be able to be flattened again with steam or the oil method. Just make sure you leave it clamped till its completely dried or it will start curling again!! Good luck.

James
 
I hear them deer carcasses are piling up!
I think I would be tempted to find a nice shed rack and try making my own scales. They aren't that large so shouldn't be too difficult.
 
jideta said:
I hear them deer carcasses are piling up!
I think I would be tempted to find a nice shed rack and try making my own scales. They aren't that large so shouldn't be too difficult.
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Braddah the deer took cracks this year. Dry and influx of people moving here shut down the hunting. Skin and bones kine. Poor tings look like zombies. Plenty people banging them with cars.

We just now getting rain thank God. I hope they can recover and get healthy again.
 
Yea newspaper said was bad and I saw the pic of the fawn with your son.
Hope you guys get more rain until then no can help.
 
jbmonkey said:
and you and they may be right. I have no idear as I never tried it. I know Bill has said it softens antler and stag and not to use it for those those products.

rams horn may be different enough though? just want to make sure Molokai gets the best advice before he tries anything, that's all. yours may be the best advice, no harm in getting more expert opinions.
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we are on the same page. I know mineral oil won't hurt the scales....but I'm not sure if it will help flatten them. The mineral oil is supposed to soak through the material (unlike waxes, which just penetrate the surface) and help with shrinking scales - i.e. - restore the inner viscosity which allows stag/horn to regain it's initial volume (shape). I do not know if it will allow them to be flattened, but it can't hurt the horn material to try.
 
CWL said:
I think that softening them is exactly what you want to do in order to try getting them back to shape.

The scales have curled up. At this point, you may have nothing to lose by trying mineral oil.
Instead of a soak, maybe apply heavily with a brush and immediately put into wood blocks to press flat. Take it slowly and repeat with oil & pressing. When flat, leave in press long enough for scales to dry completely so they won't recurl after you reinstall.
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soft as in stays soft forever. not temporarily.
 
I have not done anything yet. I will start with a hair dryer first to see if heat makes them pliable.

I wonder if I should contact knifeswapper to see if they have extra for sale.
 
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