Yes , lots of difference between rams horn and buffalo horn. Buffalo horn is compressed hair and as such will not take the amount of bulking a rams horn will take. There is only so much give in buffalo and no more when it come s to bulking. In essence you could use the buffalo as a piece of timber or plastic. The first thing you need to know when working buffalo horn is that you need to impart far more heat into the horn to make it move. Whats feels very hot on the surface may not be enough inside the horn to allow it to bend without cracking. The easiest way to produce crooks out of buffalo is to firstly have a large enough horn, as you will be cutting back to produce the neck part of the crook. Then you will be also cutting surplus away along the portion that will be the crown and nose. Once you have remove this bulk you can fit the horn into your shaping jig and apply lots and lots of heat to start the bending process. All this bulk removal is a little like the bulking of the rams horn in that you are trying to get to a basic shape where you can start bending into a crook shape. When it comes to shaping the horn around your jig for the crook shape you will find it far harder than moving rams horn, so keep applying the heat. You can use various oils like Neetsfoot oil on the horn to try and reduce some of the burning and to keep the condition of the horn from suffering due to the heat applied, but this does mean a very messy job. Hope this helps a little. Most stickmaking books cover Buffalo horn bending so its a good idea to see what others may do.
I have a feeling I saw some one on Face Book selling some but cant be sure. Highland Horn used to sell cast aluminium shells but dont know if he still does, woth a look.
@@wrencountrysticks8660 Thanks for your reply. H/Horn don't sell them anymore (tried them) Inspired by your video and because I have just acquired 2 really nice horns, I have been trolling ebay for ideas. Came across some clamps for caravan jockey wheels. Look like they might serve. They are cast aluminium, 48mm and only £15... Thanks again.
@@twistysticks1 Hi Phi, AsA last resort you could make your own, buy in the ali bar , cut using a dand saw or chop saw with the right blades. You an use hole cutting saws to get the curve at tbe top of tbe block. You really dont need a lot of sizes 3 to 4 should be enough. Also if you are in the BSG try the adverts. (British Stickmakers Guild) if you are not a member its worth joining. Open to all
Hi Phil. You were asking about bulking blocks a while back. Just seen some come on Facebook,Check out a fb entry by Paul Daunt 28th Nov. So e one called Sean Johnston is making and selling these. Or at least thats how it appears. Hope you find some, Joe.
Sir will you please give me your e mail. I want to ask you some questions about horn bending. I have lots of buffalo horn (not the tips ). I'm planing to make them flat in order to use as knife skales. Great video by the way thank you.
Wow ... that's a lot of work.
This is very helpful. I am using a water buffalo horn for my crook, is there any difference?
Yes , lots of difference between rams horn and buffalo horn. Buffalo horn is compressed hair and as such will not take the amount of bulking a rams horn will take. There is only so much give in buffalo and no more when it come s to bulking. In essence you could use the buffalo as a piece of timber or plastic. The first thing you need to know when working buffalo horn is that you need to impart far more heat into the horn to make it move. Whats feels very hot on the surface may not be enough inside the horn to allow it to bend without cracking. The easiest way to produce crooks out of buffalo is to firstly have a large enough horn, as you will be cutting back to produce the neck part of the crook. Then you will be also cutting surplus away along the portion that will be the crown and nose. Once you have remove this bulk you can fit the horn into your shaping jig and apply lots and lots of heat to start the bending process. All this bulk removal is a little like the bulking of the rams horn in that you are trying to get to a basic shape where you can start bending into a crook shape. When it comes to shaping the horn around your jig for the crook shape you will find it far harder than moving rams horn, so keep applying the heat. You can use various oils like Neetsfoot oil on the horn to try and reduce some of the burning and to keep the condition of the horn from suffering due to the heat applied, but this does mean a very messy job. Hope this helps a little. Most stickmaking books cover Buffalo horn bending so its a good idea to see what others may do.
Any ideas where to get the formers for bulking up. I used to use some large aluminium tube clamps but I can't find any now.
I have a feeling I saw some one on Face Book selling some but cant be sure. Highland Horn used to sell cast aluminium shells but dont know if he still does, woth a look.
@@wrencountrysticks8660 Thanks for your reply. H/Horn don't sell them anymore (tried them) Inspired by your video and because I have just acquired 2 really nice horns, I have been trolling ebay for ideas. Came across some clamps for caravan jockey wheels. Look like they might serve. They are cast aluminium, 48mm and only £15... Thanks again.
@@twistysticks1 Hi Phi, AsA last resort you could make your own, buy in the ali bar , cut using a dand saw or chop saw with the right blades. You an use hole cutting saws to get the curve at tbe top of tbe block. You really dont need a lot of sizes 3 to 4 should be enough. Also if you are in the BSG try the adverts. (British Stickmakers Guild) if you are not a member its worth joining. Open to all
Hi Phil. You were asking about bulking blocks a while back. Just seen some come on Facebook,Check out a fb entry by Paul Daunt 28th Nov. So e one called Sean Johnston is making and selling these. Or at least thats how it appears. Hope you find some, Joe.
@@wrencountrysticks8660 I sell them on ebay along with crushing plates and shaping beds, look under bulking blocks
Sir will you please give me your e mail. I want to ask you some questions about horn bending. I have lots of buffalo horn (not the tips ). I'm planing to make them flat in order to use as knife skales. Great video by the way thank you.
Hi Mustafa. joe@wrencountrysticks.co.uk
@@wrencountrysticks8660 Thank you very much sir. I'll write as soon as possible.
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