Is there a way to repair a horn comb?

[thock]

I have a lovely horn comb that I like to use every day, but two of the teeth have diagonal splits that start at the spine end of the tooth and angle toward the center of the tooth, widthwise. I'd like to repair that, somehow, but I'm not sure what would be the best way. I'm thinking super glue or wood glue might be the best options. What do you all think?

Tracy

[JaneinMarch]

The horn comb I have has a few splits, but not fully cleaved, since I used to use it in the shower. I used sandpaper to get rid of a crack in the middle of a tine, and it has never re-appeared, even after using it on wet hair.

Would sanding harm the comb more than help?

[RocketDog]

I would think something like nail glue (the kind used to attach artificial nails) or even superglue would hold horn together. Just be sparing with the glue and maybe take some superfine-grit sandpaper to the area after it's set?

[thock]

Well, I tried the super glue, so we'll see if that works. When that dried (pretty quickly), I used a cushioned nail file/emery/not sure what to call those things to smooth the rough bits down. I actually used the file over the whole comb surface. I was afraid to try, but then I realized horn is equivalent to super-thick fingernails, so it shouldn't harm the comb. And it didn't harm the comb.

We'll see, after a while, how the super glue holds up.

Tracy