Hi, I just got some sable horns that are on the skull plate. I need to remove them from the skull plate because I intend to make shofars out of them. I have them soaking now...what should I do..?
It was taken in 1985 and they are 36" on the curve...any help would be appreciated...thank you.
Jim
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Are you sure that the horns aren't attached with bondo or glued on already? They are always boiled and cleaned before being shipped here from Africa. The horns should be loose and slide on and off the core. After 20 years it is a very good chance they are fastened in place with some type of adhesive or bondo. Removing them may be next to impossible.
I got them from the hunter and he said it was not boiled. That I should boil them to remove them, but I just want to make sure how to do it. There is flesh and meat around the horns and skull still has lots of meat too.
It will take a long time to soak them to get them off. You will also have to drill a couple tiny holes in the horn at a couple different spots so water can seep in and soak into the tissue around the core. It is done that way on many African horns and also on many sheep horns. After rehydrating them, then boil them at a slow simmer and they should come off. You may also need to bang them on something hard a few times to help pop them loose. Good Luck
thank you...it's been just about 24 hours now and I have been cutting some slices in from under the base with a knif... will that work and how long do you think to soak? thank you again very much
In 20 years, I'd assume that anything that could rot, has. I've be very wary of boiling these horns now. The interspacial tissue created it's own glue years ago. Drilling holes is going to ruin your intended purpose, though I don't ever recall shofars ever being made of anything except ram horns as the sheep played such an important role in Hebrew antiquity. If you're still intent, I'd suggest very tiny holes be drilled and a syringe being used to inject soapy water with just a drop or two of soap added to each pint of water. Wrap the horn in plastic freezer wrap and let this set for a few days. THEN boil them, but check them every half hour at the most. Do not overboil as the horns will be distorted and possibly crack or shatter.
is there anything else you would suggest. I actually do ministry work and that is what they are being made for. ram , kudu, gemsbok are all good for shofars and these will be very nice. I am very teachable as I need to be as a Christian preacher. I will do as you suggest...thanks
since I have no need of the skull plate...would it benefit me at all to cut them off the skull and soak them with the base exposed...?
You'll need that skull as a stepping stool to pull the horn off the core. Whatever you do, protect that thing are removing the core would be virtually impossible withou that leverage.
I drilled a few holes from the base into the hollow of the horns. from below the rim of the horn into the hollow space from the skull side. I won't cut off the skull. I got a metal garbage can that I sealed with high temp caulk to water proof and here in minnesota my father lives in the woods, so as far as boiling that is what I would use..over a log fire with the can on a base of some kind to support it.