Thank you! My farm boss has to put down his favorite bull this week and I would like to make a memento. You said, “I hope this helps somebody” and I want you to know that it has helped me!
Nathan (Nate??? ) I've tried this several ways, and the way I find that works best, most often, is just let it set out in the open away from animals until the core dries out and then it usually just falls out. Your "boiling" method has worked for me very well also. One last ditch effort is to wrap the horn in a plastic bag and bury it in the ground for about 4 months (if you have that much time?) But be warned...when you open that bag WATCH OUT!!! The smell will choke you nearly to death! Boiling the horn will make the large opening stretch enough to "fit" a plug/cap pretty easily. Horn is referred to as the "18th. century Thermo Plastic" and it's true. Heat will make horn very pliable and stretchable. I carefully heat my horn openings with a heat gun (on low) to stretch it enough to accept a wooden plug. Now...the plug needs to be fairly close in size, and shape, to the opening or you'll split the horn. Also be very careful NOT to burn the horn. Practice makes perfect. After one or two, you'll get it figured out. Thanks for reading this. Keep the videos coming. God bless: Two Feathers; Proprietor of: The Mountain Man Emporium
Sweet Caroline! This helps me so much! I've got my grandfathers 18in. Longhorns that still have the core inside from over 50 years ago! I've been trying to get them out with a hammer and chisel with mild success. I will definitely give this method a try!
I’ve heard of guys smashing old dried Up horn against a tree and the inside flys out. Not sure if you want to risk that with an old horn lol. Hope this helps you with your project!
@nathanjeffery3059 Well, one came out easily, but the other is being a little more difficult. I boiled it for 30mins each time for 3 hours, but it still wouldn't budge.
@@SamlSchulze1104 only thing I can think of is to make sure they are not still connected at the base . If cut too close to the skull they sometimes are still connected. And need trimmed further up the horn just a little bit
@nathanjeffery3059 Yep. Because it was previously mounted on a block of wood, I had cut that portion with fastening nails off(1in.). Then, cracks developed after that because the horn was thin, and another inch was removed.
I knew a beef farmer who gave them to me. You could try asking at a local farm and see but if you want already hallowed out horns try places like Dixie gun works, track of the wolf, or other muzzleloader supply stores. Local Rendezvous.
I think most take 15-20 minutes but it depends onHow old the horn is. It could take longer if it’s really dried up and hard inside. Sometimes I’ve heard that if you leave a horn sit for a couple months in a dry spot that the inside will shrink and then pull out but I haven’t had luck with that idea
Thanks for the concern. I don't always follow the knife safety rules because sometimes it isn't practical. I hardly ever cut myself so I don't think of it sometimes.
