Horn layers coming apart

Tapsnap · Post by **Tapsnap** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:03 pm

Hi,
I am new to the world of composite bows, though I have carved and tillered many self bows. Recently, I bought some polished water buffalo horn from a website to build my first composite bow and found, to my disappointment, that the horn "growth rings" were coming apart. At first I thought this was a problem just in one spot, but I found that, in the process of flattening it, that the whole horn suffered from this problem. Can anyone tell me if this is common. What should I look for when selecting my next piece to avoid this happening again? By the way, the horn has a creamy colour, not black. Was this the problem?

Tapsnap · Post by **Tapsnap** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 3:18 pm

Any thoughts anyone? 133 Views and no replies. Feel free to chime in.

Arry · Post by **Arry** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:53 pm

Hi Tapsnap.
If the horn is creamy it could mean it was treated chemically to achieve this effect. This might have had a detrimental effect on the horn's stability.
With four instances so far of untreated (ie black) waterbuffalo horns, I have not encountered the problem you describe.
Cheers
Arry

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 6:04 pm

I've also never seen that in buffalo horn. It sounds a little similar to cow horn, which splits fairly easily along the "growth rings".

Tapsnap · Post by **Tapsnap** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:40 pm

Thanks, It's good to know what to look for when I go to buy my next piece. Is Gemsbok any good to use?

Arry · Post by **Arry** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:53 am

Gemsbock seems to be fine (no experience with it, though). Take a look at the seven or so parts of "How to construct the Asiatic Bow", available on Youtube. They use it and you can see how it is prepared.

PAZUZU · Post by **PAZUZU** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:29 pm

Tapsnap

I have a water buffalo horn with similar problems.

these horns are pretty flat, maybe a different breed of water buffalo. for example in my country is selective breeding bulgarian murrah - http://www.buffalopedia.cirb.res.in/ind ... 07&lang=en horns of the water buffalo are of very poor quality.

Zoran Pavlovic · Post by **Zoran Pavlovic** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:03 pm

PAZUZU wrote:
Tapsnap

I have a water buffalo horn with similar problems.

these horns are pretty flat, maybe a different breed of water buffalo. for example in my country is selective breeding bulgarian murrah - http://www.buffalopedia.cirb.res.in/ind ... 07&lang=en horns of the water buffalo are of very poor quality.

Dinko, poor quality horn in murrah is more than likely consequence of mixing with domestic breed. Buffalo of South Eastern Europe has a bit longer horn. Greets!

Fennec · Post by **Fennec** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 1:23 pm

I have seen such cracks on horn that didn't have the sawed off ends sealed with glue or wax before drying. Probably the same principle when preparing a stave of fresh cut wood for seasoning.

M Hardman · Post by **M Hardman** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:56 pm

I have used both cow and water buffalo horn. Different horns of the same species have behaved differently. Cow horns tend to flake very easily, but so can buffalo horn, if treated too roughly. Only a few days ago I managed to split the edges off a lovely flat oblong I'd been preparing for decoration.

Dusan · Post by **Dusan** » Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:42 am

we are mostly happy, if buy good looking horn (some times wood too), but best horns must be , like best wood - very profesional selekted, because- like wood, its very importand where live animal(wood) in which temperatur, humidity, sun intensity - and many bla, bla bla -for people - who was happy if buy "some" horn .One cant kontrol more of this important thinks...