Glueing 2 pieces of Horn together

[jamesthomas]

I have 2 pieces of horn (cow) that if I can glue them together I can make a powder horn out of them, What would be a good glue for this?. They are very close to matching perfectly. Thanks.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Edge to edge?
IMHO, not a good design whatever glue you use. :nono:
If you have a section large enough, try sliding the small into the large to join. Also glue if that works.

 

[jamesthomas]

Yea, edge to edge. I think the smaller part is part of the large part and the difference is whatever blade thickness the guy used to cut it apart.

 

[bpd303]

The only way I would consider an edge to edge, would be to make an inner sleeve epoxied in place then an outer wrap around the joint.

 

[jamesthomas]

That's a good idea, I may be able to turn it into a southern banded horn though it isn't brown, we shall see.

 

[omarick1948]

Personally, I wouldn't put that much effort and work into such a horn. Get yourself a new whole cow horn and make something to be proud of from the start. By the way, Southern banded horns were not just brown and many originals were made from cow horns with the natural "greenish" tone.

Make a small cup, container or salt horn etc. from those horn sections.

Rick

 

[MSW]

I agree with Rick ... just start fresh ... tinkering with a joint you describe sounds like a recipe for disaster, imho.

good luck with your project!

 

[crockett]

If you don't like the band idea maybe a rawhide wrap over the joint with the inner collar for strength. I'm not sure if a skive joint is possible. As stated, horns are pretty cheap, maybe do something else with what you have, a small horn container for salt or percussion caps, etc. Use the end for a screw tip horn, buttons, powder measure.

 

[Rickey Brown]

I have to go with Horner on this one. Use the cut horn for containers

 

[jamesthomas]

Yea, I probably will, I received my order from Track today, and have Recreating the 18th Century Powder horn in my hands, Going to do some reading tomorrow and see what its about.

 

[satx78247]

There's all sort of "handy to have period items" that can be made of a "bisected horn", like horn spoons. = Therefore I wouldn't even try to glue the 2 pieces back together, as cow's horns are CHEAP.

just my OPINION, satx

 

[omarick1948]

QUALITY cow horns cheap?...I just bought three scrimshaw quality cow horns from my supplier and they cost me $72.95 . Or course I'm very particular about my horns!

 

[omarick1948]

cow's horns are CHEAP.

Maybe 25 years ago!..."Ya can't make a silk purse from a pigs ear unless you want a pigs ear purse". .. :shocked2:

 

[jamesthomas]

There's all sort of "handy to have period items" that can be made of a "bisected horn", like horn spoons. = Therefore I wouldn't even try to glue the 2 pieces back together, as cow's horns are CHEAP.

just my OPINION, satx

Not if you want scrimshaw quality horns around 14 inches long they are not. I bought 3 scrimshaw quality horns 10" 12" and 14" or so long, F&I style horns at Fort Mims about 2 weeks ago from Walter Mabry and they were $35.00 dollars each. They are nice and will make great powder horns if I don't mess them up.

 

[satx78247]

Fwiw, I know ZILCH about "scrimshaw quality" horns but around south TX there are several slaughterhouses & "independent butchers" that will happily sell you cow, ram & goat horns for 2-10.oo each.
(Fwiw, I've made any number of hunting horns from goat/ram horns. - Some sounded GREAT, some "just OK" & some "nearly worthless".)

Note: For those readers, who are within "easy driving distance of" San Antonio, there is a man named Talamanez, who brings horns to the POTEET HWY. FLEA MARKET.
(2 weeks ago, he had 5-6 BIG cardboard boxes full of horns at "sort through & pick" for 3.oo each.)

Otoh, TX Longhorn matching pairs, that are suitable for "wall-mounts" are $$$$$$.

yours, satx

 

[omarick1948]

Not to start an argument with you, but when I talk about scrimshaw quality cow horns, I'm talking about a grade of horn that is 90% plus all white with only a small darker brown/black tip. Ideally, the body is nice and round and not to oval or almost flat. The horn must have a nice crescent half moon like profile and/or a "S" twist to hug the users body. This "S" twist is what some call a French and Indian War bend. As far as Texas long horns, they are almost worthless for powder horns, as they are usually too thin walled, too big and to strait for powder horns, but they can be used for larger horn containers and cups and mugs.

I'll be the first to say, that you can make a usable powder horn out of almost any cow horn, but if you like to make high quality powder horns, you need to start out with the best you can get and afford.

 

[satx78247]

I'm NOT interested in an argument, either.

I've made exactly ONE powderhorn & that one was for my own use in the hunting fields of northeast TX (for my DB) & would have won no prizes for "artistic". - Otoh, I've made numerous HUNTING (blowing) horns for myself/friends, who hunt with hounds.
(PRETTY doesn't count for much in a hunting horn. - Only TONE/VOLUME counts.)

yours, satx

 

[crockett]

I've made quite a few powder horns, maybe around twelve. My big "Jump" in horn making was making a small lathe and then turning round tapered plugs to re-shape the horn perfectly round, and also to turn the base plugs. In Florida they had green shaded horns that some guys wanted. The local Florida horns are also around $2 a piece depending on where you get them. The tips seem to have a much larger solid portion than a lot of other horns I've seen which is good if that's what you want.
On the spoons, etc. I'm not a big horn expert in any sense but I think you can cut horn lengthwise and boil it in oil and then clamp it between two plates/boards and it will cool into a flat section that can then be used for combs, knife handles, etc. If anyone knows that process, I'd like to learn that- could be a good solution for the horn in question.
Dying horns in RIT, etc. Some horns have a naturally dark tip and the carving can be done so just that dark area is carved but then I've seen horns dyed. Is the dye fast or will it leach out and stain clothes?

 

[gus13]

as to the original topic, I personally, would NOT try an "edge to edge" fit on anything meant to hold black powder. so I agree with Rick here, use the pieces for something else and start fresh.

Texas Longhorns are usually too staraight and thin walled, but there are always exceptions to every rule! I have seen some TX Longhorns that looked just like "proper" Ox horns! but hey Southern Banded horns are usually rather thin and relatively straight, so you can take a Longhorn and cut it down to about 10" ....could work!

Crockett, your pretty durn close with the flattening process of Horn spoons! except you DO NOT want to Boil the horn in the oil! you'll make "Horn Chips" that way!! :thumbsup: get your oil up to about 360 and dip the horn in till bubbles form (maybe ten seconds or so) take it out, repeat a few times to ensure even temp, THEN Press! you can even carve a "spoon mold" and press it in that so there's no carving required.

 

[gus13]

While I know this isn't exactly what you were looking for, it does show the hot oil method of working horn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2_FiK6SfAA