How do you get a horn that the large end is white to abruptly change to black?? is dyed? or does the horn come that way naturaly? or is it 2 horns a white and A black put together?
In most cases the horns that are black and white come that way straight from the cow ...... The tip can always certainly be dyed if the color doesn't suit the builder . Its always better to try and pick a horn that has the color your looking for rather than the dyeing process .... but what the heck do I know ???????
45/70tc, ...The horn is usually step carved at the spout end and sometimes engrailed where the darker horn color will change. You can then just dye the spout end darker. Usually, but not always, a light colored horn under the surface is already darker than the surface of the horn. Some original Powder horns were dyed this way using many coloring agents of the period.
When you are ready to dye. Just use plastic electrical tape or other good adhesive tape to mask the lighter horn body area so your darker dye will cover only what you want dark. Make up a batch of RIT dark brown or dark color of your choice and fill a coffee can or other container with the RIT solution in the can to just pass the start of the taped area of the horn. Now heat the solution up to a slow simmer. Turn off heat and carefully place the horn spout in the hot dye. Leave in dye for at least 10-30 minutes or until you get the color you want.
After you take the horn out of the dye. Let cool, remove the tape and sand or scrape the slight bit of dark dye off the light area of the horn.
If you are going to also dye the main body of the horn. Just submurge the entire horn into the lighter color mix, as the darker spout area will not be effected by the new color.
These and other horn making tips can be found on THE HORNERS BENCH website!
