Finished Horn

[toddsndrsn]

I've been at it off and on with this, but I've finally finished this one.  Only my second horn so there is still lots of learning going on for me.  Regardless, I've had a lot of fun with it and have a few more horns to test my lack skill.  This one is waiting on a strap from Kris Polizzi.  I welcome constructive thoughts on improvements.

[trentOH]

It looks like you got the Golden Mean down to an art!

Don't worry, I dope slapped myself when I proof read that.

[Ky-Flinter]

Nice looking horn.  Those tapered panels are hard to do.  Nice clean work, but it seems pretty plain.  I would suggest some engrailing where the main body meets the throat, maybe alternating half moon cuts and narrow triangle cuts.  Are you going to put some scrim on it?  That would look great on that white body.

-Ron

[toddsndrsn]

trentOh, I take this to suggest that its ordinarily simple yet pleasing to the eye? 

Ron, I considered engrailing at the throat as you suggest with the halfmoons, but figured I would mess it up.  I've considered trying my hand at scrim, but the same as engrailing.  If I do man up, I think I would do a Yorkist Rose seeing that I'm originally from York, Pa and this will compliment the York style rifle I'm building.  I have a practice horn in the basement so I might try both and see how I do.  I've thought about adding some pins at the base.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Well done.  Having the flat panels line up on either side of the raised rings is a nice touch.  I agree with the suggestion that some engrailing would add a lot to it.  It helps carry the eye along the length of the horn. 

Keep up the good work.

Cory Joe Stewart

[Tim Crosby]

 Same horn you posted back in Sep that you were working on? How long, around the outside curve is it?
It looks a little stumpy to me, as in short and wide. From the looks of the stopper the spout still looks to be to big, as in pouring powder into a measure. The base looks out of proportion to the rest of the horn, to thick, also looks like it should have a Finial on it or in it.
 From what I can see the Panels and file work look good. Look at as many old horns as you can, do you have Sibley's book? It has many in it and is as good as your gonna get for instruction on horn making.
 Everyone will get better.

  Tim C.

[Kary]

I like the overall look of the horn, but some engrailing would make it even better.. in my opinion. I would also reduce the size of the pour spout end of the horn. One question though, how did you attach the base plug of the horn to the body? I don't see any wooden dowls, nails or tacks.
Overall not a bad horn, I'd be proud to carry it.

[conquerordie]

I like it. Seems perfectly useable as a horn should be.
Greg

[toddsndrsn]

Same horn you posted back in Sep that you were working on? How long, around the outside curve is it?
It looks a little stumpy to me, as in short and wide. From the looks of the stopper the spout still looks to be to big, as in pouring powder into a measure. The base looks out of proportion to the rest of the horn, to thick, also looks like it should have a Finial on it or in it.
 From what I can see the Panels and file work look good. Look at as many old horns as you can, do you have Sibley's book? It has many in it and is as good as your gonna get for instruction on horn making.
 Everyone will get better.

  Tim C.

Same horn.  The outside curve is 11".  The horn was short and fat to start with, but the horn is not thick through it's length. The horn is much thinner on the inside curve than the outside.  I was nervous to take too much off and end up breaking through, or taking too much from the top panel causing more of a step change between the panel sections.  Maybe that's not a bad thing?  I've considered extending the panels up as well.

The base is 3.5" wide 2.25" tall and protrudes about .75" from the end of the horn.  The flat edge  of the plug is a little more than 3/8" to where it starts to round.  I think your suggestion would be to take it down almost to the end of horn and round it from there?  It's only a matter of time to work it down.  I'll just need a more aggressive rasp.  It's getting a staple since I don't have a finial nor the tools to make something decent though a finial would give it some better appeal.

 I do have Sibley's book.

One question though, how did you attach the base plug of the horn to the body? I don't see any wooden dowls, nails or tacks.

  The plug is  two piece plug glued together held in the horn with 5 minute epoxy.  I'm sure that's a "no no" in this kind of thing, but I fit the first plug and had an air gap.

A general question on engrailing to all, how would this show up on the horn since I do not intend to dye it?  I guess could dye it then scrape off the dye?

[Ky-Flinter]

A general question on engrailing to all, how would this show up on the horn since I do not intend to dye it?  I guess could dye it then scrape off the dye?

Don't tell anyone, but you could use a fine tip black Sharpie pen to color in the engrailing.  If you're careful, only a little scraping will be needed.

Also, I would add some wood pegs.  It will look more authentic.  And you could add a geometric or vine border around the base incorporating the pegs into the design.

-Ron

[Tim Crosby]

 Thanks for your reply. Yes, you could round the base off more or just leave it. Either finial or staple, here is an idea for the finial; if you have a Marshall's, Hobby Lobby or something similar near by. Check their Wood isle, the place they have Wooden Wheels and such. They will have small packages of  pegs of different shapes. Pick one, maybe 1/4th-5/16", with a nice shape, drill a hole in the base, Stain the plug and glue it in.
 One of these may help you in determining the wall thickness:

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/09N22/sorby-calipers-insideoutside.aspx

  Tim C.

PS: If you decide to go with a staple just use a plain one, no twist. Once you have the strap on you will not see the twist and it will rub against the strap almost like a saw. TC
 

[seesbirds]

Well done, but it's such a beautiful "canvas" I wouldn't be able to resist engraving it.

[toddsndrsn]

I've never thought it wise nor fair to solicit advise and not do something with that shared knowledge.  So to those who suggested engrailing, so it has been done!  The base color of the horn filled it in nicely.  Tim C, I am working on the neck and spout as well.  I may work the base down, but I haven't convinced myself that I want to.

[Kary]

Hey! That looks really good! Engrailing is such a nice enhancement....and I think your horn deserves it. The only other thing I'd do to complete it, it is drill some holes in the base and insert some small down rods, round toothpicks or locust thorns. They need to be there for looks. Just my opinion.