Help with Horn Handles

Hi Neil,
I am going to move a copy of this to the Shop forum so you may want to check your thread there too.

Glad to have you here with the rest of us.
Gus
 
E

electroman7

Joined
May 10, 2002
Messages
4
I have some cow horns I would like to make flat slabs out of for some folders. Does anyone know how to flatten them out? Is boiling a possibility? If anyone can help me out write me at electroman7@excite.com
Thanks, Neil.
 
I heard you boil it in oil (mineral i believe) until it softens then clamp it between two boards and let it set for a few days.

James
 
Just split it and then boil in water until soft clamp between two boards and let dry. if you use oil then you will have a tough time getting glue to stick to it.
 
The way that I have found to work the best is to cut and split the horn a bit bigger than what you will need for the finished handle. Take one piece and clamp in between two pieces of steel or aluminium plate about 10mm or half inch thick. I use my vice to keep it all together. Do not clamp it too tight or else you will crack the horn. Next take a blow torch and heat up the horn and the plates. You will burn the horn on the edges but try to keep it at a minimum by moving the flame around the whole time. As the horn heats up it becomes quite soft. You can then slowly tighten up the vice untill the horn is flat. Allow to cool and remove. Grind off the burnt parts and use. I have found that when you boil the horn you have to leave it for some time to dry out properly before you can use. With this method you can use it within half an hour to an hour after flattening.
 
Will this work with buffalo (bison) horn? I understand it is hollow, and was wondering if it was thick enough to use as a handle material.
 
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