How I Engrave A Powder Horn

[PathfinderNC]

Here are some photos to share my approach to designing and engraving a Powder Horn. Note how the design changes a bit as I move along with the process.
After shaping the horn I did the borders and established where my drawing panels would go.
Then, like a primed canvas I was ready to work.
This is a flat horn so it’s a little easier to draw and scribe on than round horns, for me.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Beautiful !

 

[Polecat_Tom]

Stunning

 

[2 shots]

all of the above plus

 

[TarponStalker]

You do such nice work. I can barely write my name legibly so I'd never tackle a project like that.

 

[springfield art]

Here are some photos to share my approach to designing and engraving a Powder Horn. Note how the design changes a bit as I move along with the process.
After shaping the horn I did the borders and established where my drawing panels would go.
Then, like a primed canvas I was ready to work.
This is a flat horn so it’s a little easier to draw and scribe on than round horns, for me.

Can seem to actually "feel" the action of the hunter & dog. Real nice. I haven't graved a horn yet, but glad I read the Sibley's book; setting the horn or whale tooth (resin!) on a bag of sand or such, to cradle it, sounds like the way to go. Thanks.

 

[rp77469]

Awesome!

 

[CuNosecap]

Always great to learn from a master willing to share his expertise. Thank you for posting this.
Rick

 

[PathfinderNC]

Always great to learn from a master willing to share his expertise. Thank you for posting this.
Rick

Thanks but I’m hardly a master, though I appreciate your compliment! I just enjoy doing these horns

 

[Juniata]

Great pen work!!

 

[PathfinderNC]

Great pen work!!

Thanks- the lines are engraved into the surface and the pen is how I fill them with ink.

 

[Songwriter]

Not only is the technical aspect (skill) wonderful, but the characters are so animated... you can feel their excitement and anticipation. So much is conveyed in those thin black lines.
I want to jump in and go with 'em!

 

[Packrat]

Well you may not be a Master, but you are definitely way ahead of the rest of the pack
Beautiful work,

 

[Barry Strickland]

That is an excellent tutorial in those photographs!
Barry

 

[RayjHindle]

Thanks for putting this up! It is extremely helpful. As always, your work is fantastic!

 

[Piquant]

That's a gift. A wonderful talent to have to make beautiful things with your hands.

 

[Polecat_Tom]

Were power horns as spectacular as what you make common back in the day?

 

[Patched]

Absolutely wonderful work…

 

[deerstalkert]

this is what my attempt at drawing would look like .

 

[Juniata]

Thanks- the lines are engraved into the surface and the pen is how I fill them with ink.

Right, I follow that, I've scrimshawed similar method, but at the core of it, is penmanship!