Flattening buffalo horn

Evan Martin

Evan Martin

Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
521
I order some buffalo horn last week got it today and it is warped like crazy. I remember a thread a while back on flattening horn a while back but can't seem to find it i can't grind it flat its to warped and to thin and i can't just glue it flat its to warped I have had so much trouble getting this stuff last week to
 
It can be boiled and pressed. It has a nature of being like that. Especially if it was cut too green or thin. I have a some that I use for spacer material but not much else.
 
Where did you get it? I'd send it back. Seriously. It will probably do it again.
Matt Doyle
 
I've actually had luck soaking it in milk, until it's very pliable. Then just clamp it up and it will stay flat.
 
I don't know for how long. I just read about them doing that to flatten out cow horn back in the day. You might just try to soak it first in warm then hot water to see how pliable it gets. Just need to clamp it flat until it is very dry so I hope you are not in a huge hurry. The milk thing sounds interesting but how does it smell?? the solids might help to stabilize it. Might also try Nelsonite or Resolute to soften then clamp. This might be the ticket. I have some small sheep horn I need to flatten I might give the resolute a try.....
 
I recently asked this question on another forum, since I have the same issue. The answer given by someone I know works with horn on a regular basis, was to clamp it to a flat surface and heat in the oven to just under 250 degrees. Store it clamped to a flat surface until you're ready to use it.

Cliff
 
Can you take a fuzz cut on a mill to flatten the tang sides then work as normal to finish ? Or maybe sand it on a flat platen ? A word of caution if you decide to sand it flat, don't get it too hot as it can twist or curl on you ............. again :rolleyes:

;)
 
A C Richards said:
I don't know for how long. I just read about them doing that to flatten out cow horn back in the day. You might just try to soak it first in warm then hot water to see how pliable it gets. Just need to clamp it flat until it is very dry so I hope you are not in a huge hurry. The milk thing sounds interesting but how does it smell?? the solids might help to stabilize it. Might also try Nelsonite or Resolute to soften then clamp. This might be the ticket. I have some small sheep horn I need to flatten I might give the resolute a try.....
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let me know how it works I am going to have horn stabilized from now on.
oh and they are 5/32 thick I boiled them for about five minutes on a slow boil. then pressed them then once they cooled I took them out of the vice and put on the shelf with a pile of wood on top till they dry
I am suposed to know how to do this I work at a taxidermy and we boil horns all the time to make them fit the cores again brain fart I guess

thanks everyone
 
I've used alot of buff horn and found the best thing to do is sand it on the flat platen. Stinks like hell but it's the fastest way to get it flush on the tang without the hassle of trying to straighten it.
Scott
 
normally thats what I would have done but it is really to thin now and it was warped so bad there wouldn't be anything left
 
hevy ev's said:
normally thats what I would have done but it is really to thin now and it was warped so bad there wouldn't be anything left
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Oh I see. In that case it would probably be best not to use it. Even if you do straighten it, it may end up warping again. Buff horn can be pretty unpredictable. I've been getting mine from Jantz Supply for over 5 years and have had good luck with every set of scales i've gotten from them. All I've had to do is some minor sanding to make them flush to the tang.
Scott
 
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