Dried out stag restored

[TripleF]

Yes indeed. Very knice job!!!

[kootenay joe]

I have treated dried out stag with mineral oil and found it made the stag look soft, rubbery, not very attractive. Perhaps the secret is to use the oil very sparingly ?
kj

[LongBlade]

I have treated dried out stag with mineral oil and found it made the stag look soft, rubbery, not very attractive. Perhaps the secret is to use the oil very sparingly ?
kj

Interesting KJ - I remember long ago Dimitri and I believe Bill D mentioning that mineral oil is not good for stag or bone - it softens it and your description sounds like an example of what they were referring to... on the other hand a very very light coat of mineral oil is probably fine but a soaking or too much applied may be the culprit as you say... I think wax (maybe Ren Wax) was the recommended way...

[cudgee]

I have treated dried out stag with mineral oil and found it made the stag look soft, rubbery, not very attractive. Perhaps the secret is to use the oil very sparingly ?
kj

Interesting KJ - I remember long ago Dimitri and I believe Bill D mentioning that mineral oil is not good for stag or bone - it softens it and your description sounds like an example of what they were referring to... on the other hand a very very light coat of mineral oil is probably fine but a soaking or too much applied may be the culprit as you say... I think wax (maybe Ren Wax) was the recommended way...

I never tell anyone what to do, we all have different techniques, and listening or reading how other people do things is a great way to learn. I use orange oil, only because i already have some for furniture, it is also food safe, so i use it on my blades. For bone or stag scales, i give them a good clean, apply some oil sparingly with a soft rag, work in, then another light coat. I let that sit for 3-4 days, then buff with a soft cloth, they come up a treat. A old furniture and antique restorer put me onto this method. He has a set of knives, carving knife and fork, made from deer antler that have been handed down through generations, they are over 100 years old and are in fantastic condition. Hope this helps, but the key is to let your last light coat sit for a few days before you buff it up.