Shaping a Powder Horn Spout

[PathfinderNC]

Hi folks,
I thought I would share some photos of how I shape a powder horn throat and spout. It might be a bit unconventional but it’s a personal technique that I developed that seems to work well. (Note that I do the base plug first- just personal preference.)
I work by using a 1/4” steel rod which is inserted deeply into the cut and drilled nozzle hole and, with my free hand to support the horn, I rasp and file the horn to shape.
Care must be taken to not exert too much force at the risk of cracking the spout. As the horn material is removed, less pressure is used. Final shaping with a scraper, knife, needle files and sandpaper is done off the bench (usually outside in a comfortable chair)
I have been using this method for a good while and at horn #70 (shown), I have never had a horn spout or neck crack.
Hope this is helpful.

 

[longcruise]

Hi folks,
I thought I would share some photos of how I shape a powder horn throat and spout. It might be a bit unconventional but it’s a personal technique that I developed that seems to work well. (Note that I do the base plug first- just personal preference.)
I work by using a 1/4” steel rod which is inserted deeply into the nozzle hole and, with my free hand to support the horn, I rasp and file the horn to shape.
Care must be taken to not exert too much force at the risk of cracking the spout. As the horn material is removed, less pressure is used. Final shaping with a scraper, knife, needle files and sandpaper is done off the bench (usually outside in a comfortable chair)
I have been using this method for a good while and at horn #70 (shown), I have never had a horn crack.
Hope this is helpful.

Why did I never think of supporting with a rod like that. Have never seen it written anywhere before.

I admire your workmanship with every horn you show us.

A question; what method do you use in shaping the spout hole if any? Speaking of the inside. Do you form an interna bevel or is it drilled straight?

 

[PathfinderNC]

Why did I never think of supporting with a rod like that. Have never seen it written anywhere before.

I admire your workmanship with every horn you show us.

A question; what method do you use in shaping the spout hole if any? Speaking of the inside. Do you form an interna bevel or is it drilled straight?

Hi longcruise, thanks for you comment and regarding the spout hole, it’s dust a straight through 1/4” hole. A small rat tail file if there are any frayed bits inside.

 

[ScottK]

Beautiful work and please keep posting. I’m just starting down this path and good tutorials and pictures are hard to come by. What are you using to get the solid black color? India ink?

 

[PathfinderNC]

Beautiful work and please keep posting. I’m just starting down this path and good tutorials and pictures are hard to come by. What are you using to get the solid black color? India ink?

Glad you are finding this useful! Best of luck with your horn endeavors. And yes, I use India Ink for the horn black, Then hand-rub it to get a nice sheen.

 

[Antelope Pete]

Good idea and great looking finished horn. I'm going to do a buffalo horn just need to figure a spout shape. Thanks.

 

[longcruise]

Good idea and great looking finished horn. I'm going to do a buffalo horn just need to figure a spout shape. Thanks.

Me too!!

I have a raw buff horn that's been sitting waiting for a long time. Probably going to be a late winter project. Starting Thanksgiving and through January I've a lot of hunting to do.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I’m happy with this method. Rotating the horn on the support rod as you shape the spout can really help give you a pretty uniform throat cylinder which is attractive. With careful file work you can get the spout quite thin (but not too thin for strength's sake) and also a little reinforcing lip can be formed. Here a couple of examples from current projects.

 

[Antelope Pete]

Well Pathfinder you definitely have talent.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Hi folks,
I thought I would share some photos of how I shape a powder horn throat and spout. It might be a bit unconventional but it’s a personal technique that I developed that seems to work well. (Note that I do the base plug first- just personal preference.)
I work by using a 1/4” steel rod which is inserted deeply into the cut and drilled nozzle hole and, with my free hand to support the horn, I rasp and file the horn to shape.
Care must be taken to not exert too much force at the risk of cracking the spout. As the horn material is removed, less pressure is used. Final shaping with a scraper, knife, needle files and sandpaper is done off the bench (usually outside in a comfortable chair)
I have been using this method for a good while and at horn #70 (shown), I have never had a horn spout or neck crack.
Hope this is helpful.

I am still convinced you have a bunch of widows and orphans cranking those out for you.