Middle Earth Ranger Forum

Hi Fellow Rangers, lets get down to business as usual.
A family friend gave me a Huge big horn sheep Horn to use as I wish... But I have no clue what to make with it, his instructions were to make something with it so I feel I must do something... But what??? Need help please..... Pretty please????
Thanks!!

depending on how big, what kind, how much curvature...

horn bow limbs
handle scales (or full handle)
arrow nock reinforcements
thread winders
comb
lacing bodkin
toggles or buttons

...

A salt horn would be a relatively easy project for a novice--use the top 4 inches or so, drill out for spout, boil the large end in 330°oil until soft, clamp together in a vise. Whittle a stopple and you're good.

Make a shofar from what's left over?

Check out the Honorable Company of Horners to see the possibilities for working with the material. Some really incredible stuff out there.

My old salt horn, made by Matt Fennewald from goat horn I believe.

You mean, besides a bow?

sweet! thanks guys!!! haha I have probably to many bows right now but I may just do that!!

now I don't have enough for a bow by itself but what about bow backer?? I started a short wood bow a while back and need some sort of backer for it, think I could pull it off with one large horn?

Horn doesn't stretch the way backing needs to for a bow...horn compresses well, which would make it workable for the belly of the bow, but you already have that part made from wood. Keep thinking; something will come to you.

ok, good point! thanks! haha I'll keep thinking!

Drinking horn
Blow horn
Knife handle possibly?

You could always carve into it and just make a decoration from it. Not a master at horn crafting but I'm sure you'll find something.

aye! it seems most (almost all ) people who make drinking horns do not use rams for some reason... (if anyone knows why feel free to butt in) but I do plan on using some for knife scales!! and if I Can then a drinking horn unless someone warns me not to.

As far as I know any horn can be used for a drinking vessel. Most people use bull horn probably because its generally less curly and probably easier to work with. As long as your horn doesn't have a lot of splits or cracks then I dont see why you cant make it a drinking horn. The way sheep horns curl make them harder to clean out which is probably why there arent many sheep ale horns.

Gotcha!! Thanks!

I have seen them used to make an archers arm guard, it is just a basic oval shape and if you use the right piece of horn it already has the correct curve. Just add a couple of straps and voila!

Really? that's cool!! I might have to try that! I know my arm guard is getting smaller while my for-arm is getting bigger with muscle hehe