Finishing Elk Scales

[Big Smitty]

I am working on a full tang blade that will have elk horn scales. Any tips on finishing them out would be appreciated. Should they be sealed with something or just left natural? Thanks!

 

[Dwane Oliver]

I always just sand to the desired grit and buff. I have dyed some in the past , with wood stain and then waxed with minwax.
Was the horn good and dry , how old was it?

 

[Big Smitty]

I always just sand to the desired grit and buff. I have dyed some in the past , with wood stain and then waxed with minwax.
Was the horn good and dry , how old was it?

Thanks! the horn is very dry, but not bleached out. Still has good color. Probably a year or two old. I've had it in my garage over the summer and live in Phoenix, so it has been sitting in 105 to 115 temps and low humidity for a while. I did dye it with some feiblings leather dye to get the color uniform. I just did not know if it needed to be sealed or left natural.

 

[Dwane Oliver]

Well , like you said , I'm sure its good and dry. The good bone on the outside is real dense and it dosent even take dye very well. I have never put anything else on mine. Just buff it.

 

[Big Smitty]

Thanks! I should have the knife and sheath completed this week, I'll post some pictures.