Horn experiment

[ddean]

A couple of weeks ago I took
a horn handle chakma that had 3 splits in the horn
and submerged the horn in a cup of water.
The horn color has lightened up;
including faint white streaks appearing
from originally black horn.
The horn is slightly 'rubbery' to my fingernail,
no longer hard.
The splits (not open cracks exactly) are -maybe-,
-maybe- very, very slightly less noticable.
Not much difference.
Maybe there is compound or dirt inside the split
which keeps it pried apart.

I can tell no difference in the actual size of the horn.

 

[Yvsa]

Interesting experiment Dean. How long are you going to leave it submerged or have you already removed the horn from the water?
Makes me wonder if you left it long enough the horn would get pliable enough to mold into a different shape.
Probably wouldn't be able to move it much though even if it's possible.

There was some discussion long ago about the horn laced with white, grey, or other colors being as strong as the solid black. The consensus was that the solid black was stronger. IIRC it was Ghostsix who contributed that bit of knowledge.

 

[ddean]

Took it out today to compare to it's matching karda mate.
I'll watch it as it dries.

 

[ddean]

Only 12-24 hours after I removed it from the water,
I could not tell it had been soaking.
The surface was hard to my finger nail in a very short time.
The edges of the split areas stood out
--very-- slightly more than when it was wet.

Interesting.

Sticking it down into the Pecard Dressing now to stay a few days.
We'll see what happens then.

 

[spiraltwista]

Yvsa, Dean,

If you boil horn for 2 hours you can bend it in a homemade thick hardwood pegboard former to any shape you want or press it into sheets or otherwise flatten or straighten it in a vice.

But if it ever gets wet & hot again it will start to revert to its natural shape.

Its just like steam bending wood!

Spiral

 

[Kismet]

you made horn tea?

 

[spiraltwista]

You wouldnt say that Kismet if you smelt what boiling horn tea smells like! :barf:

 

[ddean]

Originally posted by ddean
Sticking it down into the Pecard Dressing now to stay a few days.

Took it out of the dressing yesterday and wiped it clean.
No difference in the splits as far as I can tell.
They catch the skin/fingernail just as much now
as I recall from before.

Will try straight anhydrous lanolin next,
warmed with blow dryer

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

heehee e. Kydex heating in the oven is a real smell treat, too! Smells like soapy burning plastic.

After messign with horn antler bone, etc and cooking eating animals assiocated with these products, I've come to a conclusion: Just about every part of an animal smells and tastes somewhat alike.

Keith