Thread: Horn

Hi, I could use some advice. I have worked with other materials to build new scales but never Cow/Bull Horn. The Horn I was able to buy is a little bit warped. It is flat and square but it twist from one end to the other.

My thought on the matter was to steam it much like I would a piece of wood then apply pressure while it cooled and dried, however I was afraid that it might peal layer.

Any advice would be appreciated.

If thick enough,sand it flat and go from there

Seems I always wind up soaking old horn in Neetsfoot oil overnight just because it seems to make them look better. I'm wondering if once a slab (or scales) of horn got saturated, would putting some constant pressure like a book to keep them flat result in the slab/scales staying flat as a result of "drying" after the excess oil runs out of it. Interesting thought but probably flawed logic?

Bill's right, if it is thick enough, sand it flat with a good belt and be careful not to get it too hot. If its close to specs, you could try a quick boil or soak in neatsfoot and clamp it between to pieces of 2x4 ( larger than the slab) in the vise. A couple of days like this should get it close to flat. Horn tends to have a memory and may reset a bit overtime. If the warp is not a twist, just an arch, sometimes you can use a heat gun very carefully on the high side, dip it in neatsfoot and work it flat by hand. If it goes back clamp it to a flat surface for a day and then check it. If it is still pretty flat, I leave it for a couple days with a light weight on top on a flat surface and check it again. If it still wants to work its way back, I usually just abandon it. Best Regards Ken

Humidity on one side will warp or bend the horn away from the dampness. That is why it comes really tightly fastened to a board. A couple months unstrapped and in a damp place will bend it and it will want to stay that way. Sand it flat if you have enough thickness. Even the half inch thick block bends after a time.
I have used the inside of the bend for the inside of the scales. The horn can want to re-bend to a previous shape so I try to be very careful about what I ask it to do.
Good luck wet sanding makes quick work of it.

~Richard

I have played with it some and would advise shaping it first. When sanding you could relieve stresses and then it could go either way again. I have sanded some that had small distortion and they stayed flat after. (well, so far)

Thanks Gents!!!