First Buffalo horn

[Dan Herda]

My first Buffalo horn build. Black walnut base plug, cherry stopper and base plug pegs whittled from cow bone.
Lots learned and I’ll do another this winter.
Some day I hope to make a basic ( if it can be called that. ) St Louis horn.

[ed lundquist]

Good looking horn!

[Frozen Run]

Great job! The horn pins was a nice touch.

[Tim Crosby]

 Nice work.

   Tim C.

[Angus]

Very nice. Really like the contrast of white pegs

[old george]

That's a good-looking buff horn.

george

[Top Jaw]

I like the satin finish you achieved.  Lots of guys take them to a glossy surface - which on a black horn can make them look too much like plastic, and/or like something mass produced. 

[Dan Herda]

I like the satin finish you achieved.  Lots of guys take them to a glossy surface - which on a black horn can make them look too much like plastic, and/or like something mass produced.

Thank you, I am overall very happy with the result. I think because I built it dozens of times in my head. I cant say that I would change anything. But will say it was quite a learning experience compared to cow horn.

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

Very nice work on that horn. St. Louis horns sure are pretty.

[Martin S.]

How do you know how deep you can file for the point at the tip that holds the strap in place?

I've got a couple of buffalo horns, but I am afraid I'll file too deep.

[Dan Herda]

How do you know how deep you can file for the point at the tip that holds the strap in place?

I've got a couple of buffalo horns, but I am afraid I'll file too deep.

On this buffalo horn I marked the end of the internal cavity, then cut off tip about 1” forward of that. Then drilled spout hole 1/4” dia. From the cut off end , I measured back about 1 1/4” and made a recess cut all the way around with a coping saw to the depth of the saw blade( aprox 1/8”)
Then using a file with a safe edge , started filing down (safe edge to that cut) and away from tip. As I got deeper into the horn with the file , Icould hear the sound change as the file cut.
It is realy best imo to just go at it until you get a feel for it by sound and feel. If you wish to pm me Ive got alot of in process picture of doing this horn. Just too many to post on a forum.
Others may do it differently but this is what I came up with. Generally speaking , buff horns are much thicker than cow horn btw.
Good luck with your project