Buffalo Horn Pen Blanks. How Are They Made?

[jdllizard]

This is very interesting, John. So, if I understand the process well, you can make a pen from moulded keratin (the outer part of the horn) of from the bone (tne inner part).

In your opinion, a pen like the one I show in post nr. 9 of this thread is made out of keratin or bone? It has a very beatiful glowing and smoth appearance, that's for sure.

I presume it is moulded keratin, that allows you to make several pens identical in lenght and width... but they have very different patterns and colour combinations that change from pen to pen.

Not quite. The inner part of a horn (the bone) is like that of the inner part of antler or bone, very porous. It wouldn't work well for making things out of. It also would turn to powder instead of polish to a nice shine.

The pics you posted are most certainly made from the outer keratin layer of the horn. The different colours and patterns are no different than people who have different color hair or tortoise shell, no two are alike.

 

As a side note, it's that color and shading variation of horn and tortoise that inspired the color of many of the early celluloids and plastics.

Edited October 21, 2014 by jdllizard

[jdllizard]

Not quite. The inner part of a horn (the bone) is like that of the inner part of antler or bone, very porous. It wouldn't work well for making things out of.

The pics you posted are most certainly made from the outer keratin layer of the horn. The different colours and patterns are no different than people who have different color hair or tortoise shell, no two are alike.

As a side note, it's that color and shading variation of horn and tortoise that inspired the color of many of the early celluloids and plastics.

I'm really not that smart, I just slept at a Holiday Inn last night.

[Ernst Bitterman]

I don't like the way horn smells... neither does my wife.

 

Oh, it's no worse than... a vast heap of smoldering hair surrounded by a troupe of extremely damp dogs.

[watch_art]

 

Oh, it's no worse than... a vast heap of smoldering hair surrounded by a troupe of extremely damp dogs.

 

You got it. I can't turn micarta any more at the request of my wife.

 

But I assure you my feelings aren't hurt at all. That stuff is nasty.

[jdllizard]

Oh, it's no worse than... a vast heap of smoldering hair surrounded by a troupe of extremely damp dogs.

Oof. No kidding. Horn, bone and antler all smell terrible when cutting, grinding, drilling, or anything that creates high heat. I hated that smell.

[sexauerw]

Here are a couple of horn pens and a real shoehorn. I love the look and feel of all three of these items.

 

Danitrio Miwaku, water buffalo horn:

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/Oz2MTUZTjNTTOT/7564990.0/800/p/Miwaku_and_Napkin.jpg

 

Taccia Savanna, bison horn:

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/MYNgmMAYND0yZT/8944966.0/800/p/TA02_Tacci_Savanna%2C_Open_on_Stand.jpg

 

English shoehorn inherited from my grandmother, bovine horn, about 100 years old:

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/UZcQM1o5q2wD1Y/9252072.0/800/p/Shoe_Horn.jpg

 

[jdllizard]

Here are a couple of horn pens and a real shoehorn. I love the look and feel of all three of these items.

 

Danitrio Miwaku, water buffalo horn:

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/Oz2MTUZTjNTTOT/7564990.0/800/p/Miwaku_and_Napkin.jpg

 

Taccia Savanna, bison horn:

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/MYNgmMAYND0yZT/8944966.0/800/p/TA02_Tacci_Savanna%2C_Open_on_Stand.jpg

 

English shoehorn inherited from my grandmother, bovine horn, about 100 years old:

http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/UZcQM1o5q2wD1Y/9252072.0/800/p/Shoe_Horn.jpg

 

Those pens look amazing!