Flat powder horns at JAS Townsend

**Nighthawk** · 24th May 11, 07:08 AM

Thought all you Scots black powder people would be interested in this:

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...oducts_id=1171

It's a great starting point! No need to boil, bake and flatten your own horn.

**Woodsheal** · 24th May 11, 07:33 AM

Not bad! They look like buffalo horn out of India. The trick is to get a mostly white one to do some scrimshaw on...!

**Drac** · 24th May 11, 07:52 AM

I've seen some nice scrimshaw done in white on buffalo horn knives.

Jim

**Nighthawk** · 24th May 11, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Not bad! They look like buffalo horn out of India. The trick is to get a mostly white one to do some scrimshaw on...!

Well, when I get mine, I'll post pictures. I don't know what color/s it's going to be- wasn't too concerned with scrimshaw. I just didn't want to have to flatten my own... Boiling horns stink!

I have a couple nice horns, one of which I was going to use for a powder horn. I'd been putting it off because I didn't want to go through the process of softening the horn... and then Townsend did it for me!

**Nighthawk** · 26th May 11, 12:29 PM

OK, I got my horn today. It's mostly black, and did indeed have a "made in India" label. However, the workmanship is lovely and I think it is, as I had hoped, an excellent starting point to make my own Scots style powder horn. It has no adornments, no leather ties to cut off, nothing!! It's just a squished horn, capped at both ends! I'm actually really happy with it and will post pictures this evening.

**Nighthawk** · 26th May 11, 07:51 PM

OK, pictures of the horn!

So it's very raw and unfinished- leaves a lot of room for work! It's just a flat horn with plugs! It's perfect!!

**The Thirsty Viking** · 26th May 11, 08:21 PM

hrmmmmmmm this gives me ideas....

**Brasilikilt** · 29th May 11, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

It's a great starting point! No need to boil, bake and flatten your own horn.

*Gasp!* What's the fun in that!?!?!?! :-)

**Nighthawk** · 29th May 11, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Brasilikilt

*Gasp!* What's the fun in that!?!?!?! :-)

It eliminates the need to stink the family out of the house for 3 or 4 days. You ever smell boiling horn? I have 2 litter boxes in my work room that smell better after being used, than boiling horn!

**Brasilikilt** · 2nd June 11, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

It eliminates the need to stink the family out of the house for 3 or 4 days. You ever smell boiling horn? I have 2 litter boxes in my work room that smell better after being used, than boiling horn!

I've made about 15-20 powder horns, and am quite familiar with the smell :-)
For flat powder horns I've had better luck dunking the horn in hot veg. oil for a few seconds and then pressing between 2 flat boards with a vise and screw clamps.
It's a lot less stinky and goes faster than a long boil in water.

While these horns look like a good deal for the money, it's a lot more fun and satisfying to make your own...but that's just me :-)