Buffalo horn

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G3

G3

Via con dios
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Hi all,
My question is regarding ebony buffalo horn slabs I'm using for the handle of my bowie. Basically I want to know if there are preferred or required tips or tricks when shaping horn for handles?

I have cut the slabs to shape but I haven't decided on how I want to texture or shape the handles for grip. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Garrett
 
use sharp belts and if you plan on carving or checkering use sharp tools.Otherwise when drilling drill slow with sharp bits so as not to burn the horn and make sure to back it so the horn doesnt chip out.hand sand to hig grits with a light buff and you will have a beautiful handle.
Bruce


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Much appreciate the advice Bruce. Is there a limit to its chipping as far as thickness? My slabs are .25" thick and I'm worried the horn will be brittle at thinner thicknesses if I taper or cut too deep.
 
Work slowly to keep the horn from warping. Finish sand to at least 600 and polish with white compound. Wear a dustmask or respirator when grinding or power sanding. You don't want to breath in the dust.
 
blackwaterkw said:
Work slowly to keep the horn from warping. Finish sand to at least 600 and polish with white compound. Wear a dustmask or respirator when grinding or power sanding. You don't want to breath in the dust.
Click to expand...

I did the cutting outside after 2 minutes in the shop with that odor. WHEW!
I need a heavier mask though that's for sure. I heard you can catch black lung or something from bone and horn of exotic animals. Definitely don't want to breath that dust.
 
you can make it pretty thin as long as you have material behind it like a handle frame or a full tang.It actually acts like a plastic when it is thin and warm (not freezing temps).The smell is strong but you will get used to it.If I have umwanted guests in the shop I will start working on a handle of horn or antler,they leave pretty quik:D ...When carving cut like you would a wood as the horn does have a grain to it and will chipout or crack under the surface if your not careful with chiseld,rotory tools work great.
Good Luck,
Bruce
 
Ahh. Thanks. My slabs are going to be covering a full tang so I wanted to make sure if shock or vibration occur that the horn won't crack or chip at thinner areas. Thanks for the insight Bruce.

(typo)
 
Just as a by the way, you can steam and flaten water buffelo and sheep hornes. The black buffelo horn I use buffy well.

As Bruce said horn has a grain or layer construction. I would put the center of the horn on the tang and the outer surface as the outer surface for the handle.
 
Which would mean sanding form the inside of the slab to remove material?
 
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