Gemsbok horn handle ?

[RobertHankins]

I just cut into my first piece of this stuff.
Is anybody familiar with it?
What is the best way to flatten it for scales?
Does it need a top coat or sealer?
Thanks for your help on this one.

 

[Bruce Evans]

I always just cut the sold handle pieces off then cut and grind flat the other pieces to use as scales.I have never been able to get horn to flatten good any other way.
I just sand and polish just like any other horn.
You can seal it if you want but you will end up loosing allot of the original texture by sanding it smooth.
You can have it stabilized and then you won't need to worry about sealers.
Bruce

 

[GavinD]

The best way that I have found to flatten horn is to cut the horn in half (lengthwise) or a bit bigger than the handle. Next place the piece of horn between two steel plates and clamp it in the vice. Take a blow torch and heat the horn gently from all directions, when you find that the outer edges of the horn start to bubble and burn close the vise as much as possible taking care not to crack the horn. If it has been heated properly it will be quite soft. Once you have flattened it leave it in the vice to cool off. When the horn is back to room temmperature you can take it out of the vice and use. I normally sand the horn down to about 220 grit and then I coat the entire handle with super glue. Once the glue has set I resand the handle and buff to a nice high gloss. I hope this helps.

Gavin