Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: TallTexan on September 19, 2014, 02:26:19 PM

Title: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: TallTexan on September 19, 2014, 02:26:19 PM: Got a sort of flat horn yesterday. I realize that it is somewhat difficult to flatten a horn but I was hoping for something flatter than this. Am I asking too much? I like the crossed tomahawks on the one side and the color is okay, it's the bulge and then the twist in the spout that I'm not liking.
Title: Re: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: Bigsmoke on September 19, 2014, 02:56:12 PM: Hi TT,
To know how one is made is to appreciate what comes out as the finished product.
First the horn is softened, by whatever method the person uses, hot oil, hot air, whatever. When soft, an inner mold form is inserted to keep the sides from collapsing in on themselves. I guess a thinner form could have been used, but then you would have had not near enough capacity to justify itself. Also, the more it is flattened, the wider the horn becomes at the base. In this case, any flatter would have resulted in a horn that looked like a sail on a boat. Ugh!!
As far as the twist of the horn at the nose, well, that is pretty difficult to get around, especially when the horn has that natural twist in the first place. I have never been able to get that straightened out on any of the flatties I have built.
I dunno, I kinda like it the way it is, but then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You might talk to the builder of the horn and tell him that you are not satisfied with the item and see what happens.
The scratching on it looks pretty good to me. Anything on the other side?
Of course, this is all FWIW.
John
Title: Re: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: TallTexan on September 19, 2014, 03:09:05 PM: No, nothing on the other side. I can be satisfied with the twist in the spout end if it couldn't be helped. There was another issue that had to do with the address label not being right but that isn't a matter for this forum. Any other opinions are still welcome.
Title: Re: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: Riley/MN on September 19, 2014, 05:19:19 PM: Looks pretty darn flat to my old eyes. I like it.
Title: Re: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: TallTexan on September 19, 2014, 06:53:53 PM: Quote from: "Riley/MN"
Looks pretty darn flat to my old eyes. I like it.
Well, it's flat from the butt end to about halfway towards the spout, then twists right then down, or up depending on how you're holding it. It will work for the job that I bought it to do, which is hold enough powder for an overnight hunting trip, all things considered.
Title: Re: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: Longhunter on September 19, 2014, 10:16:14 PM: It sounds like you don't like it, if that's the case send it to me, I like it, it's unique.
Title: Re: New horn, opinions wanted
Post by: TallTexan on September 19, 2014, 10:50:52 PM: Quote from: "Longhunter"
It sounds like you don't like it, if that's the case send it to me, I like it, it's unique.
Too late, I done filled it with powder and the post office would freak if I mailed it to you.