Sheep/ Ram horn advice needed.

K

Karoo

Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Messages
15
As a sheep rancher, I have access to lots of good quality merino horn and want to cut scales off of them.
So far I have used a meat bandsaw (only bandsaw I have) with limited success as the shape is asymmetrical. I tried cutting it into 6" sections first too.
Question: what else can I use? Jigsaw? Handsaw? I would have to buy a jigsaw.
Secondly, I had success in heating the cut horn in hot water before straightening, but see advice to avoid all moisture and use an oven instead.
I will not be stabilizing the horn but will allow the slabs to dry in my semi-desert conditions for a few months before use. (The two knives I kitted with horns that were considerably fresher appear to be fine.)
Okay to use hot water, or try the oven?
Any advice on working with horn is appreciated as the internet has little to offer.
 
You need a real bandsaw for cutting it.
Sheep horn shrinks quite a bit-so it needs to be aged.
 
It also stinks to high heaven when grinding it.

I have done boiling and oven heating in a pan full of sand. The oven at around 250F was best. IIRC, I heated the sand for 30 minutes, burried the horn in it, then baked for an hour. I took it out and immediately put it in the straightening clamps.
 
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