My first horn (in progress)

[NC_longhunter]

I thought I'd post some photos of my first horn attempt. It is a learning experience for me but so far I'm enjoying the process. More work than I'd expected but since I'm using hand tools only it is more work but I think in the long run more satisfying.

It is a bit smaller than I'd wanted originally but the horn was free so I thought I'd give it a shot anyhow.

I'd love to hear what ya'll think. Critique and advise away!

Please excuse the horrible pics.

[Elnathan]

You are starting your carving very early, it looks like. I like the proportions, but you are going to need to remove a lot of material. As a matter of fact,  I suspect that most of that white is going to be gone by the time you are done, so you might want to take that into account before finalizing your design.

[Long Ears]

Boy that's a thick heavy old bull horn. You might want to start with a nice thin horn. Good luck. Bob

[NC_longhunter]

You are starting your carving very early, it looks like. I like the proportions, but you are going to need to remove a lot of material. As a matter of fact,  I suspect that most of that white is going to be gone by the time you are done, so you might want to take that into account before finalizing your design.

I realized this as I was starting out today. I will be working to remove a lot of the excess material before I go much further with the shaping of the horn. Any suggestions for removing the amount of material that I need to?

[NC_longhunter]

Boy that's a thick heavy old bull horn. You might want to start with a nice thin horn. Good luck. Bob

Thanks Bob! It is good and old... this one was a freebie so I figured it wouldn't hurt to make mistakes while I'm learning on this one.

[Long Ears]

NC, I've used a draw knife to remove large amounts of horn. Then to a rasp then scrapping. It will turn out fine, it's just going to take a bunch of elbow grease.

[seesbirds]

Longears is spot on...use a draw knife to rip out some of that mass.  I'd take it all down to at least where you've already cut it.  Then cut it again and remove even more from the throat and spout.  Good luck with that one.  It looks like a lot of work.

[NC_longhunter]

Thanks fellas! I'll update this post as I make progress.

[Jerry V Lape]

Take it down to where you get some degree of translucence.  Shine a flashlight around inside periodically as you are reducing the thickness until you start to get some translucence.  Some are so thin the level of powder can be seen through the walls.   The horn should feel light weight in your hand.  A thick spout is rather awkward for pouring  powder into a measure.  I think this horn is going to be a dark color when finished removing the thickness. 

[NC_longhunter]

JVL,
Thanks for the tips! I started working the horn down today during my lunch break and probably got about 1/3 of it done. It is fairly translucent in areas. Suprisingly it isn't ALL black under there but there is some good coloration with streaks of black. Now the tip on the other hand.... it's good and dark.