the polish of a black horn hilt
 

Hi all,
I have a typical Curdish dagger, whose H black horn hilt needs to be polished. How may I restore it ?
Thanks in advance for any help
Paolo

Paolo
better would be to see a photo but you can use abrasive paste (past to clean car's body is good: used it over a piece of paper). But pay attention to patina: if your handle has a patina don't use it!)

The best pics I can do without sunlight.
Paolo

Paolo, I'm not sure it really needs polishing. The places that seem dull are filled in with resin or something like it. The slight cracks are stable and I think add character.

Hi Paolo,
If this was mine I would apply a little Renaissance Wax and leave it as is. JMHO.

Robert

Thank You for Your advices. I like to have my edge weapons at their best, so I dislike the little stratches and the matt stain on the hilt's surface. I think that, as Robert Coleman write, I'll apply wax. I don't know 'Renaissance', might be a good bee wax will be so effective ?
Paolo

Almost any wax would be fine, and then polish the wax. Renaissance wax is best IMHO because it solidifies quickly into microcrystals and no need to heat it. You can apply it from can to piece with a cloth or fingers immediately.

Great stuff! :D

I found on the web where to buy the wax. The shipping (to Italy) will take time, however, listening to Your advice, I 'll only apply the wax on the hilt, hoping to score well.
Thank You for Your help
Paolo

I applied Renaissance wax on the horn hilt. Really satisfied about the effect!
Thank You
Paolo

Congratulations Paolo. Want to share some pictures? :D

Hi Paolo,
Glad to hear you like the wax. I too would like to see new pictures.

Robert

Here are the pics, the best I can do with a rainy day. Also attached two close up of the wootz (?) blade, not too contrasting, but is the first one I etched by myself.
Paolo

VERY NICE! Makes a world of difference. Keep working on the etch - somethings coming out! :)

Hi Battara,
for etch the blade, I used ferric chloride diluted in three parts of distilled water to one FeCl. I used 1000 waterproof abrasive paper and also heated the blade before apply with a brush the liquid. I repeated more times the treatment, but what You see in the pics is the better I got. Where I was wrong ?
Paolo

Looks like you have done well so far, Paolo. You could also try Coca-cola (yes the drink) because it has phosperous in it which works on blades of Persian origin. It is possible however that this the blade is of Turkish origin, and if so, that would mean that the wootz would be subtle anyway and not "pop" out like on Perisian pieces. If the Coke thing does not work, then leave it alone since you can do nothing more and it is Turkish wootz.

Mabuting Kapilaran!

Hi Battara,
before use ferric chloride, reading a previous thread, I used Coca Cola as Artzi wrote, but I had no significant outcome. Then I used citric acid with no result. The better I had with ferric chloride. Might You explain to me why Turkish wootz doesn't react to ferric chloride ?
Thank You
Paolo