working with sheep horn

D

DHackney

Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Messages
178
Hi folks,

I'm working on a couple fo kinves where I have decided to make some throats for the handles from rocky mtn sheep horn. My question is: do I need to seal these pieces with something when done or will buffing them do the trick.

If anyone has any tips or tricks for working with this material I would greatly apprieciate the help. I'm getting really close to finishing these two knives and don't want to botch the handle finishing.

Thanks and best regards,
Dana Hackney
Monument, CO
 
As far as working sheep horn make sure your belts are good and sharp and work at slower speeds. Sheep horn will burn easy. Something to keep in mind while buffing also. As far as sealing it a good coat of paste wax, Johnson & Johnson or Minwax. Be aware certain bugs will nibble on it.
 
I have been working at the lowest speed (3 step pulley on my KMG) but will make sure I use
a new sharp belt. Will Renaissance wax work as well as the minwax or J&J?

Thanks again, Ray,
Dana
 
If its something you all ready have it will be fine. The other two are at least half the price and have served me well. I've had a can Renaissance wax for years that I just keep forgetting I have.
 
I show blokes how to forge and make very basic knives from scratch in three days. To make it quicker we use buffelo and sheep horn for the cross guards.

My mate steems the sheep horn and presses it while hot. as it cools and the pressure is removed the cut horn stays flat. The surfaces are either left rough for texture or sanded smoth depending on who wants what.
You can get a nice satin look with 600 grit paper then a little carnuba palm oil or most any other wood oil for a slightly glossy finish.

You can even use the buff wheel for a high gloss shine. The high gloss makes the horn look almost transucent and clear in some places. The black buffelo looks like plastic.

WHen ever you have a chance try a few tests on smaler scrap pieces so you don't get disapointed. It's a bugger when you do all that work and it goes wrong at the end.
 
I always suggest this for a buffable sealer, so why change now? I seal everything that's at all porous with super glue. Sand it off to the surface of the horn and buff. It'll fill any pores in the horn (or woodgrain) and buff out beautifully. Just my 2c, but it's probably worth about a million dollars. :D
 
I stabilize all my horns,sheep-goat-cow-and buffalo.With polyurethane,this seals it and helps to keep it from shrinking or swelling on you,and a added bonus to this is that the bugs that like to nibble on horn hate it once it has been stabilized.

The super glue is a great sealer and I have used this method many times in the past.waxing also works,so all the advice here is great in my opinion.Just use what ya got and then try a few experiments and find what works best for you.

Bruce
 
dear DHachney I Have been making knives for years using bone, horns of all sorts woods and antlers. my advice to you is to use good old fashion beeswax and alot of elbow grease!!!!! Try using dry wash cloth to buff,and buff,and buff. you'll need to add at the very least 10 to 15 coats of wax!!!!! then finish up with good ol' parafin wax you buy at the store for canning vegtables!!! trust me this works and your knife willnot only be protected forever but willshine like a new born babies ass!! Mrnatural2006!!!! Good luck!!! P.S. By a Dalton !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have used the super glue method on wood, antler and sheep horn too. I thought that it was a really nice way to go until I seen a knife with a sheep horn handle and super glue finish after a couple of years. Yuk! It seems that super glue is slightly souluble in water. After two years of exposure to the elements it was flaking off and generaly looked like ****. I still use the super glue thing on wood and pourus stuff but not on sheep horn or antler. The best finish that I have found lately is just what Tie suggested, Bee's wax and lots of rubbing.
 
guys, for all the help. I was about to try using some of Pop's thin super glue but, maybe, I'll opt for the beeswax and elbow grease.

Kind regads,
Dana Hackney
Monument, CO
 
I have only made one knife from a goats horn that J. gave me and I stabilized it. It is the stickiest handle material I ever used the smell stayed in my shop for days. :barf:
 
Like a dummy, I did not wear a resperator and the stuff just about made me sick :barf: .
My shop, cloths and hair stunk like a skunk. Next time I'll wear my resperator, turn on
the ventilator fan and open doors :confused:

Dana
 
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