Raw horn, how to remove core

[Craig Wilcox]

Buddy of mine sent me three horns,  all distinctly different.  The longest one has a long, easy twist to it, BUT the core is still inside it, and seems to be hard as a rock.

Is there any method of removing the core without damaging the exterior of the horn?

The other two are being scraped, and should make interesting powder horns when done.  I have a variety of wood to make the end plug; mahogany, iron wood, bloodwood, spalted maple, English walnut, etc.

But first, gotta get that core out, if possible.

[Daniel Coats]

Boil it outside as far from the house as possible. It'll just fall out

[rich pierce]

Boil it outside as far from the house as possible. It'll just fall out

Preferably in another township.

[TN Longhunter]

Boil it outside as far from the house as possible. It'll just fall out

Preferably in another township.

With someone you don't mind losing as a friend watching the fire for you!

[Craig Wilcox]

Yeah, did find a couple posts, including one from Taylor.  Got to find a bigger pot, as this horn is about 20" long.  Or cut off 8" or so.
Should have known, as I used to boil animal skulls, etc., preparing them for study.  And y'all are right - the next township over should do fine.
From my move, and ordering a bunch of stuff, I have a number of cardboard boxes and such, that have to be burned.  City trash won't handle them, and I really do not wan to fill up someone's dumpster.
When I moved here to Kenton, I noticed that almost every house has a burn pit or circle in the back yard.  Wondered about it until I saw a neighbor burning a stack of cardboard.  He said that was about the only way here to get rid of them.
Do need to wait a bit, tho, as the wind is blowing about 20kt right now, and I also need to get a bigger pot for the horn.  Kill two birds with one stone, anyway.
Appreciate your comments and helpful attitudes - something in huge supply on this forum.

[far55]

Try just soaking it first in water. I had one that was dried out and it worked for me. I took a lag bolt and clamped it in a vise, and screwed it into one of the holes in the core to get a good grip. After a week or so of soaking, it popped right out. I have no idea how dry it actually was deep inside, so your mileage may vary.  Roland

[Craig Wilcox]

I will try the bathtub.  This core thing is dry enough to take a hatchet to, if you don't mind having to re-file the edge.  But the color where I scraped it is really nice.

Probably off one of the oxen used to haul stones for the pyramids.

[Tim Crosby]

  I hope your kidding about the bath tub. At 20" you may want to take a close look at the horn and see if it is worth the work it takes to make a powder horn out of.     

    Tim C.

[Marcruger]

If you value your marriage and your life, don't boil one in the house.   :-) 

[vandeusen1987]

Also don't use your wife's "favorite" big pot...bad for your health!

[Tim Crosby]

  Craig, could you post Pix of the horns?

   Thanks, Tim

[bob in the woods]

I'm in the process of scraping a horn which is around 28 inches long.  It's from one of those shaggy Highland cattle.   My plan is to make a couple of containers from pieces cut from the wide open end, and then a powder storage horn from the rest.  I'll post a photo.  The core came out easily after a short while boiling .

[bob in the woods]

Here is a photo of the horn and core. The core came out easily, all in one piece.

[rich pierce]

Love those Highland cattle. Lots you can do with that horn!

[Daryl]

Those highland cattle are all over the Queen Charlotte Islands, not called Haida Gwaii. The can be "testy".
We called them "hippy" cows, back in the 70's.

[vandeusen1987]

Thats a mighty fine lookin horn...i gotta get a couple of those someday!

[Jeff Murray]

The only safe way to safely soak or boil a horn in or around the house is to send your wife to the mall with a credit card.