powder horn

[gunner2292]

I was looking into powder horn kits and I was wondering, If I want to put designs into it do I use a little wood burner like you use when you put designs into wood carvings? Or do you paint or what?

 

[rabjr]

You scrimshaw those, etch it with a sharp tool or knife.

 

[soggy]

Swampy's right! google up "scrimshaw" or better still get the book "Recreating the 18th Century Powderhorn" by Scott Sibly.
And for god's sake if you attempt to use a wood burner do it out doors :barf: :barf: :grin:

 

[gunner2292]

HAHAHA. I'll be sure to look into those books. Thanks

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Start out with Sibley's book as Soggy suggested. If you really get into this horn building, study the originals from books like Powder Horns and Their Architecture, by Madison Grant, and The Engraved Powder Horn by Jim Dresslar. One thing you will find is that when you engrave your horns, you'll make mistakes with your scrimshaw. The horn has hard areas and soft areas, and you will slip. Don't get discouraged. One thing I found by studying original engraving on horns, is that I could identify where the engraver had made a mistake, as I had made the same mistakes!
Scott

 

[dbiggers]

Start out with Sibley's book as Soggy suggested. If you really get into this horn building, study the originals from books like Powder Horns and Their Architecture, by Madison Grant, and The Engraved Powder Horn by Jim Dresslar. One thing you will find is that when you engrave your horns, you'll make mistakes with your scrimshaw. The horn has hard areas and soft areas, and you will slip. Don't get discouraged. One thing I found by studying original engraving on horns, is that I could identify where the engraver had made a mistake, as I had made the same mistakes!
Scott

Now where have i heard this advise before... :hmm: ... Oh yeah, its the same thing you told me not to long ago... :bow: ... I mean word for word, and boy it worked for me... Listen to ole Scott, he know's his horn building. Start out with the Sibley Book and any other advise Scott offers and you won't be sorry.. :thumbsup:

Good luck,
Danny.. :hatsoff:

 

[MSW]

EEEWW!... what Soggy said!!!

remember that horn in the same stuff as fingernails whcih is the same stuff as hair... found this out the hard way when i went to use power tools... i don't do that anymore, with the exception of drilling the hole, which i do out doors.

that way, i don't have to sleep on the couch nearly as often.

good luck building your horns (yes, you will build more than one).