Powder horn

[sdakotadoug]

All the instruction say to scrape the horn. But scrape how, from base to tip or tip to base? How much to scrape? Just till the scaley part is gone or scrape till thin? Is there something to use to hold/secure the horn while scraping? I'm sure once you've done it once it all makes sense. I hope. Doug

 

[paco97]

I usually scrape with a file to get the scaly stuff off, and to scrape off any imperfections. I don't like my horns thin, so I try to keep as much material on the horn that I can and still remove all the junkie stuff.

Once you scrape the horn, shape the horn and get your neck fancied up. Take a Smooth Knife blade (pen knife will work) make sure its sharp and scrape the horn. This will "polish" and make it real smooth and pertty.

Track of the Wolf sells a great book, called Recreating the 18th Century Horn by Scott Sibley it runs about $20 and definitely worth the investment. Using the Dying techniques in the book makes it worth the price alone.

 

[Legionair]

Polished one up with plumbers cloth to get the bulk of it smoothed up. used a file on the spout and flats, and buffed with leather.

I don't like 'em all slick and shiny.... looks plastic to me. I leave 'em a little "worn" looking.

Legion

 

[boar]

Sdakotadoug I use a coarse file on them if they are real scaley,then scrape with knife,if you get a dip you will do better to file the low spot as if you keep scrapping it,it will keep getting lowder,some horns have a grain a little bit like some wood,so you might have to go opposite way once in while. I don't scrape mine too thin,just till smooth. I bought one horn that was so thin you could see powder in it,it was a green like color,look to be old. I use foam dinner plate to make template for base plug,just press them cut pattern.Fit in base then draw on wood. Dilly-Do-Nothing

 

[Black Hand]

It doesn't matter which direction you scrape, and the horn will tell you if you need to change. If the scraping is smooth and the shavings come off in strips, then you are OK. If it starts to chatter, change direction. Get all the junky stuff off and scrape smooth. If you are using sandpaper, make sure you follow the grain of the horn (tip to base or vice versa), much in the same way as wood. 0000 steel wool works very well for a final polish.

 

[2172]

I scrape from tip to base. I use either a piece of broken glass or a butcher knife blade held at a right angle to the horn....since I like my horns thin, I take off a lot. I use a sanding tool inside the butt of the horn to thin it down...I try for, but don't always get, a horn that is thin enough to show the powder if held up to bright sunlight...just a thin spot on each side of the butt will do it..Hank

 

[Legionair]

BRILLIANT....

I been inking the horn and pressing on to wood, then cutting and sanding.... and sanding and sanding....

If'n you don't mind, I'm gonna steal the foam plate idea......

Legion

 

[Brasilikilt]

I got a cheap belt sander from Harbor Freight Tools for around $30.
Not only does it work for sharpening knives and axes.....it's also great for shaping wood and horns......Literally TONS of uses for a little belt sander I reccomend any craftsperson to get one. I use mine all the time!
I got all the thick scaly crazp off my horn in a matter of minutes!
The only thing is that it tends to smell a bit nasty.

 

[boar]

Legion Go right ahead,it has saved me aolt of work. I do all mine by hand tools,so it less work Dilly.

 

[soggy]

I use foam dinner plate to make template for base plug,just press them cut pattern.Fit in base then draw on wood. Dilly-Do-Nothing

:hatsoff: I hadn't thought of that B/D, sounds like a great way to transfer the correct shape and size. I'll give it a try on my next horn .
That's what I like about this forum, there's no end to the good advice, and sound ideas. Hope it never ends.
Soggy

 

[Flint50]

WOW-wish I would have read this before I made my last horn. Thanks all.. :hatsoff: The horn turned out great, but I think I took the long way....

 

[sdakotadoug]

Thanks for all the input, guys. Doug

 

[weeping wolf]

Hi Doug...If you really want to make some progress, get hold of an old woodworking drawknife. I've been using one on my horns for years. Keep a keen edge on it, and you'll be amazed at the clean crisp scrapes you'll make on that rough horn. Hope you're wearing some type of mask when you get to the sanding stage, what with all the worry about anthrax and the like. Horn dust is really bad stuff to be breathing. Happy scraping pardner! :v

 

[fatboy]

The foam plate idea is exellent ,I need to try that on the next horn :thumbsup: