fergie,
Buffalo horns tend to be a lot more fibrous than cow horns, as you probably already know. I don't know what shape your horns are in, but past experience tells me they're pretty rough. I've completed over 100 buffalo horns in my 30+ years of horning and I'm a member of the Honourable Company of Horners. Since I'm not worried about "being traditional" when I make some of my horns, all I want to do is get them finished down as quickly as possible to allow me to engrave them. Good ole' 80 grit sandpaper on a good random orbit sander is my tool of choice to start with. It takes some time and makes a lot of dust, but it's a lot easier than scraping it or using a wood rasp. I recommend using a dust mask like I do and I try to do it outside. I do have a dust collector I use when I can't be outdoors. Keep the sander moving. Once you get it fairly smooth, you'll want to go to finer grits of sandpaper. Some folks leave defects in the horn, but I take mine down thinner until it's smooth on the finish. Buff horns are usually a lot thicker than cow horns, but be very careful not to get too thin! Some buffalo horns are so fibrous, you can't get all of the defects out. Always keep checking the thickness and don't hold the sander in one place too long.Once you've got it sanded to where you're satisfied, use 0000 steel wool and sand it with the grain. This will put a nice smooth finish on it. I buff mine on a wheel when done, but the steel wool puts a nice matte finish on the horn. Good luck, and post pictures as you go, we'd love to see 'em.
Ron
