gearhartironwerks Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Is it possible to somewhat manipulate the shape of horn by boiling in water to soften them? Thanks, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 yes. boil them clamp between 2 plates until dry/cool... it stays unless it gets hot again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Horn yes, antler no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Why not antler? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I've bent antler with boiling water and a little vinegar. I don't know what or if the vinegar does if anything but it was what I was given as instructions. Clamp the antler between plates, vise whatever to straighten. Have it hot,well soaked so the heat is all the way through and go SLOWLY. Keep a sharp eye out for beginning cracks and reheat if they start to appear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch4ging Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Great tips! Thanks Steve and Doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsoldat Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 If I'm not mistaken the vinegar eats the calcium out of the antler same as sticking an egg in a glass of vinegar and turning it rubbery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted May 10, 2014 Author Share Posted May 10, 2014 So, here's what happened: I epoxied the antler on the tang (hidden) in the wrong direction as it had a slight turn that did not fit one's hand (right) well. OK, a little scotch may have been involved. After boiling it in water, the epoxy (West Sys) was soft enough to pull apart. Kind of surprised me as I thought it was much tougher. It's something to consider for the future. Not the scotch, but the epoxy. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Most epoxies take over 350f or so to let go....I wouild worry about wot happened.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 Was that a 10 year old mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 you really should boil and form the antler before mounting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Was that a 10 year old mix? That's the cheap fire water. Must be from SA. Nothing under 12 here...as you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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