Author Topic: Selecting a horn (Read 9207 times)

Rootsy · « **on:** December 21, 2011, 09:03:49 PM »

I've been interested for a while now in making a powder horn. I need to educate myself obviously and there seems to be plenty of online resource to do that. I should probably add a couple of books to my library too. But first things first, a question that I have not found a good answer for, especially for someone who knows little about horns (all of the cows around here are bald). How do you go about selecting a good, raw horn?

In addition what would be one or two of the best reference books?

Jim

The Original Griz · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2011, 09:47:38 PM »

Easy, for a horn, look to John Shorb of
http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/
He has nice horns for sale and will be helpful in picking out what you want.
As for books, Ya can't go wrong with Recreating the powder horn by Scott and Cathy Sibley. I believe Scurlock Publishing will have that book for you. Look here for that book
http://store.scurlockpublishing.com/recreatingthe18thcenturypowderhornbyscottandcathysibley.aspx

Rootsy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2011, 10:01:05 PM »

Thanks for the reply. That book was on my RADAR and I guess I will now add it to my library.

I've always carried my bag + horn on my right side as I am right handed. I also shoot right handed. Seems in my "research" rightys are supposed to carry left side???

T.C.Albert · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2011, 10:28:01 PM »

Rootsy, nearly every bag I make and outfit is set up for right side carry...
tc

Rootsy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2011, 11:37:15 PM »

Ordered myself some Christmas and Birthday presents today. Couple of books on the way. One being your book Mr. Albert.

T.C.Albert · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2011, 12:33:10 AM »

Great Rootsy...

remember, if you have any trouble with bag making, or an extra question comes up I didnt address well enough, please be sure to get ahold of me here or via my email...I am always happy to help out how ever I can...
tc

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2011, 01:18:38 AM »

Carry on the side that feels/works best for you, obviously you could carry bag right and horn left. There are basically three types of horns, straight, carry either side, drilling it is pretty straight forward. Right twist, left side carry or Left twist, right side carry, although I have seen both reversed. Both of these may take some study to get the hole just right.
Email John tell him what you’re looking for and he will fix you up. If you have any questions as you go along just ask them here.

Tim C.

bigsmoke · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2011, 03:13:56 AM »

On our website, there is an article I wrote regarding the selection of a horn. You might want to check it out.

http://store.powderhornsandmore.com/thonsecowhof.html

Remember, it is tough to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. Accordingly, it is nearly impossible to make a nice powder horn out of an ugly cow horn. On our website, we publish a photo of each horn we sell, along with a pretty good description of each horn. Short of sorting through a pile of horns, I think this is the best possible alternative.

Questions - please ask.

Rootsy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2011, 03:30:21 AM »

Quote from: bigsmoke on December 22, 2011, 03:13:56 AM

On our website, there is an article I wrote regarding the selection of a horn. You might want to check it out.

http://store.powderhornsandmore.com/thonsecowhof.html

Remember, it is tough to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. Accordingly, it is nearly impossible to make a nice powder horn out of an ugly cow horn. On our website, we publish a photo of each horn we sell, along with a pretty good description of each horn. Short of sorting through a pile of horns, I think this is the best possible alternative.

Questions - please ask.

I have been browsing your website for a couple of years and I have finally decided to broaden my horizons and branch out a bit. One question I have is, what do you mean when you state a horn is or is not roundable?

ChipK · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2011, 08:01:54 AM »

Quote from: bigsmoke on December 22, 2011, 03:13:56 AM

On our website, there is an article I wrote regarding the selection of a horn. You might want to check it out.

http://store.powderhornsandmore.com/thonsecowhof.html

Remember, it is tough to make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. Accordingly, it is nearly impossible to make a nice powder horn out of an ugly cow horn. On our website, we publish a photo of each horn we sell, along with a pretty good description of each horn. Short of sorting through a pile of horns, I think this is the best possible alternative.

Questions - please ask.

Hey John, I have made some pigs ears out of silk purses.

Seriously, get a good horn from John, call him and talk about what you are planing to make. Go slow, stop often, go slow, be ready to change your plan as the horn starts to tell you what it wants to look like, go slow.

Did I say go slow. Going fast, especially with big power tools far too often results in cutting something that you really did not try to do. Right now I am making a horn with nothing but a 6 inch file (and a drill for the spout.) Doing so has helped me relearn paying attention to the flow of the lines of the horn - and its a whole lot of fun.

Horner75 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2011, 05:44:54 PM »

Rootsy, John is a first rate person to get the questions answered about the horn you might be looking for!..That said, everybody has their favorite way to carry their powder horn. I am right handed and carry my horn and bag on the right side, and if you think about it, that puts the powder horn, the farthest away from that fire and sparks from my flintlocks! This subject (right side or left), has been debated a gazillion times, but boils down to what you like to do!

Also, ..... and I repeat, Almost any cow horn can be rounded at the base, but I believe John is talking about the horn in general has a body that will not normally round. To many times, you see a horn that someone made that has a nice rounded base, but is over flared at the base, with the rest of the horn being oval or flat where it should be rounder!

I have rounded some natural oval bodied cow horns with heat and hot sand packing, but it is mainly more trouble than it's worth the time in doing! ... John just has too many nice horns to choose from!

Rick

bigsmoke · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2011, 06:51:03 PM »

Quote from: Rootsy on December 22, 2011, 03:30:21 AM

I have been browsing your website for a couple of years and I have finally decided to broaden my horizons and branch out a bit. One question I have is, what do you mean when you state a horn is or is not roundable?

When I say a horn is or is not roundable, what I am referring to is a horn, that the average person with basic skill sets and normal tools could expect to round easily and in a relatively short period of time. Agreed, there is probably not a horn that cannot be rounded, if a person has enough time, determination etc. But, is it worth it? Myself, if a horn is not going to round easily, I just make a natural shape horn out of it. Easy, huh?

rich pierce · « **Reply #12 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:08:42 PM »

Not an expert but I try to go with what the horn offers. If you want a horn with a lot of shaping of the throat and neck etc you need enough in the last 1/3 of the horn to do so. A horn w/o much thickness or a hole that goes nearly to the end would be better for a simpler style, maybe a neck staple, a turned spout etc.

Beware of horns polished down to paper thinness at the butt. Expect to have to cut off up to an inch.

But the best advice is to get a book on how to and more books and articles on original horns and if possible work with a horner.

Kermit · « **Reply #13 on:** December 22, 2011, 08:41:58 PM »

Go join in the fun over here:

http://thehornersbench.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Cory Joe Stewart · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2011, 01:14:14 AM »

I think one of the fun things about horn making, is that you do have to work with the horn. I also would not shy away from horns that are not perfect. I have made some neat projects from straight horns, or oddly shaped horns. Check out Madison Grant's book and you will see some interesting shapes in there.

Coryjoe

smorrison · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2011, 07:03:33 AM »

Quote from: ChipK on December 22, 2011, 08:01:54 AM

Right now I am making a horn with nothing but a 6 inch file (and a drill for the spout.) Doing so has helped me relearn paying attention to the flow of the lines of the horn - and its a whole lot of fun.

Chip, you mean you finally broke down and decided not to bore the spout with the rat tail end of your file?!

Rootsy, I tend to let the horn tell me what it wants to be. If it will round easy I round it. If the horn is too oblong to round I let its natural shape work itself into the design. It is fun to bring out what is hidden in a horn.

Scott M

Rootsy · « **Reply #16 on:** December 27, 2011, 08:34:23 PM »

Looks like my reading material arrived today. I am going to be busy this Winter. Now I need to find a good lathe...

LURCHWV@BJS · « **Reply #17 on:** December 27, 2011, 10:03:53 PM »

Quote from: Coryjoe on December 23, 2011, 01:14:14 AM

I think one of the fun things about horn making, is that you do have to work with the horn. I also would not shy away from horns that are not perfect. I have made some neat projects from straight horns, or oddly shaped horns. Check out Madison Grant's book and you will see some interesting shapes in there.

Coryjoe

Could someone please give me the full title of the Madison Grant book? If I Google Madison Grant I get everything but what I'm looking for thank you.

ROOTSY

I bought a mini lathe from Harbor frieght has worked well for me so far. For around 350

LURCHWV@BJS · « **Reply #18 on:** December 27, 2011, 10:07:49 PM »

I really need to quit using this smartphone to reply with,

ROOTSY,

Woodcraft has a nice one starting around $350

Rich

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2011, 10:12:21 PM »

Here you go. Powder Horns and Their Architecture, by Madison Grant. His The Kentucky Rifle Pouch also has quite a few.

Tim C.

Rootsy · « **Reply #20 on:** December 27, 2011, 11:27:17 PM »

Little more than I was looking to spend at the moment. Used is fine by me... Just have to find one close by.

bigbat · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2011, 08:10:52 PM »

the latest and most affordable book is Grinslades book. Lots of examples to look at.

bigsmoke · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2011, 08:05:25 AM »

Try looking on Craigs List. From time to time I see some pretty good bargains listed there. If there is nothing today, try again in a few days. Things change quick there. And, if there is something there that sounds good, don't wait around, things change quick there.
John

BrownBear · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2011, 05:31:25 PM »

Quote from: smorrison on December 23, 2011, 07:03:33 AM

Rootsy, I tend to let the horn tell me what it wants to be. If it will round easy I round it. If the horn is too oblong to round I let its natural shape work itself into the design. It is fun to bring out what is hidden in a horn.

I follow much the same course, and so far have avoided a lathe and the rounding process. I fit the plug to the horn shape rather than rounding everything, in other words. I have ready access to "field find" horns from our own slaughters and those of neighbors, as well as retrieving horns from cattle that have died on their own. Some of the best horns I've found are from the occasional skulls I've found while riding the range.

No reflection on those who use lathes for plugs and round their horns, just another style that better suits my leanings in all crafts.

I'm rambling, but the bottom line is to let the horn "have it's own voice" in the final product however you go about making it.

News:

Author Topic: Selecting a horn (Read 9207 times)

Rootsy

Rootsy

Rootsy

Rootsy

ChipK

Horner75

smorrison

Rootsy

LURCHWV@BJS

LURCHWV@BJS

Rootsy

BrownBear