Horn at Dixon's

[colmoultrie]

I recently finished my third horn, after three years of off-and-on work - mostly off - and in a fit of bravery I entered it at Dixon's Gunmakers' Fair. I didn't win any ribbons, but I got exactly what I was hoping for: two pages of critique and some nice comments.

 

[bubba.50]

I'd be proud to claim it. good job sir :hatsoff: .

 

[wattlebuster]

I like it :hatsoff:

 

[Tallswife]

Excellent! Congratulations!

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Looks like a very good report card! :thumbsup:

 

[omarick1948]

Nice horn! Seems to be "who you know, not what you know" with that bunch.

To much :bull:

 

[Brad McCaffree]

I say great job. You can hold you head high!

 

[colmoultrie]

I thank you for the kind words, but there were nicer horns with stronger, bolder engraving. One judge told me that my erratic engrailing - the spacing did not come out evenly; it was the weakest part of the horn - was the reason I did not win a ribbon. I can certainly understand and appreciate that. Don't do it with a deemed the Tuesday night before the competition!

 

[colmoultrie]

Sorry - dremel. Stupid autocorrect.

 

[neal b]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Great work!!!!

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Looks good! Are ya going to build one for next year?

GW

 

[colmoultrie]

We'll see! This one only took three years.... :hmm:
I think, however, I can work a bit faster on the next one. I'd like to try to scrim one loosely based on Jonathan Hampton's 1758 map of the Delaware River and the NJ forts.

 

[erock1980]

Beautiful horn and congrats on having the stones to enter it into the judging. That's not an easy thing to do and if you don't have the right attitude it's not going to go well for the entrant. The judges at Dixons are not the be all end all horn gods and don't proclaim to be. They are simply judging entered work based on their years of knowledge and research and most of them are among the most accomplished and skilled artisans themselves. It is about as educated a critique as you will ever receive on hornwork and is a whole lot more valuable (and brave) then posting it on forums from the safety of your easy chair so everyone can ooh and ahh without telling you where you can improve. As you can see from the comments they certainly analyze every aspect of the horn.
I consider any educated constructive criticism invaluable and my mind devours it like food. I also always take it with a grain of salt and do not compromise what makes my work mine.

I hope you make more horns and continue to enter them into the judging! The horn shape and design certainly flows which shows you have a great grasp of composition and form, engraving skill will come with time and practice!

 

[ohio ramrod]

When I was coaching I always told the kids the only way to get better was to play people who are better. Any one can say "nice job" or "needs improving" but when some one tells you how to get better their advice is better than a pat on the back! :idunno:

 

[colmoultrie]

I remember the bag you entered - and won Judges' Choice with! It was nice meeting you; I was talking with you, Mary, I believe, and Roy Stroh as you looked for a pewter button Saturday afternoon.

Congratulations on the Madison Grant Award!

 

[BillinOregon]

Sounds like congrats are in order for both Colmoultrie and Ohio Ramrod!

:hatsoff:

 

[nhmoose]

Nice looking horn prize or no prize. Keep up the good work

 

[erock1980]

Thanks! I remember meeting you. Never did find that elusive pewter button...

 

[DanRum]

Looks great good job.

 

[GJP]

Eric, I think you nailed it with the judging. colmoultrie, you did a nice job on your horn keep up the good work. Rick, I know the judges do not know who's horn they are judging so your comment is uncalled for. Jerry P.