if i am successful at flattening it properly and attaching the spout properly, then yes, i will engrave or scrimshaw it. lot of steps for me (for me, not necessarily for anyone else) to go before i reach that point.
jim is reachable on the ALR site, and he just opened an account here as james s. he is in his 'second professional phase' of life, and took on the horn spout as a challenge. he has made half a dozen so far, i think, maybe more. they are 2" long and 3/4" diameter at the mouth. might be small for a lot of people's projects, but this will fit my flat horn project perfectly. it is flawless work.
hey boom, i just posted the two ways to reach jim spray, on the ALR site and on this one. i agree with you about how clear white this horn is. Roland Cadle always has a huge pile of cored and scraped horns at every black powder event. people root through those piles until they find what they want. Roland pulled this one out for me, for the flat horn project. he also gave me a lot of useful tips on how to make it. between his advice, an article on making flat horns in one of my old buckskinning books, and what i can find online, i should be able to make this happen. a flat horn this white would be perfect for engraving or scrimshawing
Roland said to boil it in lard in a deep fryer. not vegetable oil. or use dry heat like a gas or electric burner, wearing heavy gloves and preventing it from scorching. yt videos show people using propane torches, but their horns all get scorched. according to Roland, scorching eliminates the horn's natural elasticity, which increases the likelihood of failure later on. have to fit a wood form in, and put something soft over the vise jaws so the metal imprint isn't left on the horn. looking at 'buckskinning book vi' there is a helpful article about making flat horns. sum of all my knowledge right here!
How about pressing it between two boards with a couple of boards?
The horn needs heat, or it will fracture and crack. The pressing comes after it is heated.
Yes,I know that. I was suggesting pressing between two boards rather than a vice.
All excellent advice from my old friend and trading partner. He is a modern pioneer in horn work. I have known him from when he lived in Green County and we were members of Cresap's Rifle Company (BAR) during the Bicentennial. I gratefully have half a dozen of his powderhorns and a hunting pouch.
sure appreciate your encouragement, Jim. I am going to need it
You need to, of course , cut off the tip. Then cut down one (or both) sides heat to about 330 degrees F and press between two boards using clamps or a vise. Cut the horn in to a flat blank. Then you can reheat and place in a spoon mold. This can be made from two hinged (at the end) boards carved out in the shape of the spoon with a lead or pewter convex bowl shape attached to the flat board.
