Should I varnish or not please?

[Tomahawkdick.]

Just making a Bowie knife stand, and have used stag horn for the rests. As the horns were very old/dry I cleaned them, but took all the natural life out of them. Since then I watched a guy burn them with a touch and to be honest they look ok. So before I put them on the plinth should I put a few coats of varnish on them to brighten them up. Or would you suggest another way to preserve, and that could add a bit extra sparkle to them?

Thanks you all. Richard.

 

[eveled]

I would try to feed them rather than seal them. I’ve heard mineral oil is good for stag knife handles.

http://www.knifecollectors.org/care/stag-handles/

 

[davek14]

Doesn't mineral oil soften stag? Wax of some sort might be better.

 

[Horsewright]

Here is a method that will clean and preserve for ya. While mostly I do this for handle scales I have made display racks using the same techniques.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/processing-elk-sheds-a-wip.1467821/

 

[davek14]

Nice. I've used wood hardener, and I've also used tung oil. I'm just a tinkerer, though.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Mineral oil is not good for stag, nor is torching. Burnt stag is painfully obvious-and ugly.
If your stag lacks color, potassium permanganate can be used-as in Horsewright's post.
Leather dyes can be used, but generally penetrate too deeply
Stag also polishes beautifully with a buffer, or even by hand.
Once colored and polished, the stag can be clear coated with spray lacquer, or waxed with any good car wax.

 

[Tomahawkdick.]

Horsewright Dave. Brilliant the colour has come back with that solution they are now very nice a brown again. I'll vanish once fully dry, again thanks mate.

Rich.