Buffalo vs Cow Horn Building

[Catof9tails]

I've built a few powder horns from cow horns and now I have my first buffalo horn to work on. Never worked on buffalo. I've worked the buffalo horn down from it's natural state and still see some linear lines from the hair. Buffalo horns seem to be softer texture than cow horns.

Do I keep scraping until the lines go away or will they ever? Buffalo horns are very fiberous so don't have a clue what will happen if I keep scraping.

I wanted to ask what to expect different from drilling a cow horn vs buffalo?

Any ideas what type of polish or coating for a buffalo horn?

Thanks, Catof9tails

 

[dlpowell]

Lines will stay. Buffler horns have a rustic look. Can't make 'em all pretty like a cow horn.

Drilling isn't any different.

Paste wax finish. Sit in the sun so it'll heat up and absorb the wax.

Great horns for plains rifles and gear.

 

[Rolfkt]

I've cleaned and scraped 4 large bison horns. I've gotten redd of all the white lines. Just be prepared to use alot of elbow grease and that base of the horn will about 1/16" thick.
This is how the I'm working on now look before scraping.

This is how it looks now.

This a horn I made last year.

No white lines. After scraping, sand 240, 320, 400,800 and finish with a soft buffing wheel and it will get as shiny as any cow horn

Best regards

Rolfkt

 

[Catof9tails]

Thanks Don for the info. I was concerned with the soft texture and the drill would try to cork screw. Thanks for the polishing tip.

Rolf, thanks for the info. I'll scrape some more to get rid of the lines. This horn is a medium size under 13" measured on a straight line so may not work like a large horn, I dunno. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. BTW, Very nice horn you made.

Thanks for ya'lls advice.

Cat9
Keep your powder dry and watch your six!

 

[paulvallandigham]

Measure your horn around the arc of the horn, to be able to compare it with other horns. Begin at the mouth of the horn, and end at the base of the horn, not at the final reach of the plug. The length is only one of the measurements. The circumference at the base is also important. I don't know many people who need a horn that can carry more than 1/2 pound of powder per trip. All that weight begins to irritate your neck after a few hours. The horn you have pictured looks about right for a useful powder horn.