Thread: Inlays in horn

Hey I've been thinking about inlays a bit and have a couple questions..

I read somewhere about heating horn and inlay to press it into the horn instead of cutting a space out for the inlay.

So I took a look at some of my scales and it does indeed seem as though this or a combination of the two were used to attach the inlays.

Anybody here do that or have?

If you look closely it looks like the inlay (on some) was pressed in with heat, looks slightly melted..

I dont know anything about it but, id guess that the fibers in the horn would need to be cut/scored before you could really press it in. I will watch this one. Sounds enteresting. Thats for bringing it up Mike T.

sounds interesting. i would think it might take a lot of pressure?

Mike

Can't see heat and pressing inlay in. Wouldn't the inlay material crack. Thought maybe heat and metal die to make impression.

The fibers that a good point, leads me to assume that if they did use heat, then it would be in conjunction with cutting.. e.g. Cutting the recession, and then heating up the horn and the inlay and pressing it in..

Perhaps it would make a really good bond if the edges of the horn were pressed down while still pliable to "grab" on to the inlay edges..?

I'm sure someone aound here has to have some experience with that.
Seems so many secrets were lost from long ago.

Of course this could only be done with metal inlay pieces. And thin inlay pieces too like little charms that are mianly hollow. But then you might warp or damage the shape of the charm using heat and pressing.

Sorry about that, I should have specified "metal" inlays.

The topic of inlays has been somewhat skipping across my mind like a stone on a pond for a while now.
Most of the designing I do takes place in my mind before I draw out and then execute any sort of work.
There are some ideas that are forming in regard to inlays, and I want to get a more clear idea of how it was done.

One concept is creating a "structural" adhesion without the need for any glue or pins.. and I'm wondering if that was what they achieved... ?
Would probably only work with a scale material that can melt, I think.

Originally Posted by MikeT

Sorry about that, I should have specified "metal" inlays.

The topic of inlays has been somewhat skipping across my mind like a stone on a pond for a while now.
Most of the designing I do takes place in my mind before I draw out and then execute any sort of work.
There are some ideas that are forming in regard to inlays, and I want to get a more clear idea of how it was done.

One concept is creating a "structural" adhesion without the need for any glue or pins.. and I'm wondering if that was what they achieved... ?
Would probably only work with a scale material that can melt, I think.

The subject has come up before.

One method that was used to inlay a metal ( lead/ pewter ) inlay in horn and bone and plastic pocket knife scales was to have a/ or two pins attached to the back of the inlay that were pinned on the back side of the scale.

Another was to press a soft metal into the relieved area ( the opening was undercut around the edges, with a decorative punch.
There are some that are both methods combined.
There must be more ways also.
Have fun!
~Richard

I have something interesting. I will try to share tomorrow!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have something interesting. I will try to share tomorrow!

Yesterday, today was tomorrow.