Thread: pressing/ molding horn?

Has anyone tried pressing horn slab to round it using heat ? I read a bunch of thrads on correcting warped scales but saw none on taking a horn slab and using hot water or dry heat and pressing it in to a form or die. On-line I found info on the craft thru some powder horn makers and also Sheffield heritage sites. The Horners had a guild just like the Cutlers,
I went and ordered some horn slabs from Masecraft and will try it out but if any members can offer experience that would be great. I want to re-create scales like these not sure if these are formed or not

I've never tried it, but it's on my to do list. That's a cool (and probably quite old) razor you have. Good luck with your horn pressing adventure!

Oh btw, I don't think these were pressed. Most of the pressed horn I've seen was done to make a more ornate effect (like these). you can make scales like this by sanding.

Can't help with pressing horn, but just commenting on the razor you show here, that looks pretty old...anything on the opposite side of the tang?

I have used Steam now twice to do Antlers,

On one of the set I actually boiled the Antler first to soften it even more then "pressed" it flat between two boards and a vice, one worked, one didn't
But I think you are asking how to press horn into a thicker piece right???
I did some reading about it too but I think the missing component here is the "glue" that I had read was the old fashioned stuff made from boiling hooves...
I always wondered if you could do it a new way and press the horn and use epoxy???? like wood laminate stocks for Rifles...

It's been +1 on my list for a long time. The research I've done regarding Sheffield horners has shown that most horn scales were in fact pressed under heat. The familiar shaped horn scales found on the old WB and Elliot choppers with the flared square ends were pressed and also many were dyed black cow horn rather than all being water buffalo. Some of the dye ingredients contained mercury compounds which I wouldn't want to mess with.

From what I've read, the old process called for at least two tons of pressure and heat of around 500 degrees. Get ready to build or use a hydraulic press for your metal dies. Sounds like fun.

As crazy as it sounds, just this morning, I picked up some free raw cow horn from a hobby rancher. A minor problem:....they're still attached to the skull and were just recently butchered! I'll have to saw them off which shouldn't be a big deal. I can't gripe since they were free.

According to what I've read, with the right amount of heat, horn enters a state where it can be "forge welded" for lack of a better term.

Sweet razor, BTW.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

As crazy as it sounds, just this morning, I picked up some free raw cow horn from a hobby rancher. A minor problem:....they're still attached to the skull and were just recently butchered! I'll have to saw them off which shouldn't be a big deal. I can't gripe since they were free.


Chris L

Chris

Your are hard core, harvesting your own horns.

I am a little bit jealous.

_______

I believe they used steam jacketed molds and lots of pressure to form horn, shell, shellac, gutta percha back in the day.

It would be a bit of work to rig up the molds and press but it would be fun. I would like to see it.

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

Chris

Your are hard core, harvesting your own horns.

I am a little bit jealous.

_______

I believe they used steam jacketed molds and lots of pressure to form horn, shell, shellac, gutta percha back in the day.

It would be a bit of work to rig up the molds and press but it would be fun. I would like to see it.

Charlie

Well, I didn't do the killin. I'd be happy to post a pic of the material in it's raw and connected state. PETA members and those that are squeamish would maybe take issue though.

Chris L

Thanks all for the response, I think that Im gonna try to figure out a mold for scales or at least giving them some curvature by using a wood block with a carved or routed depresion as for the pressing maybe ratchet strap the form and let it cool. I also while looking in to this saw that cow horn was made to look like tortoise shell by horners and the amount of stock that sheffield brought in was warehouses full of horn, antler, bone and ivory of couse