buffalo horn problem

[sdaj]

I tired my first buffalo horn and something is wrong. I turned to pen and had a grey shaded area on the pen in addition to being more brown. Not the deep black I was expecting. I was seeing primarily ribbons (1 inch long) without any chatter when turning.


I tried sanding it down but did not have any luck. I then took it all the way up the micro mesh to really see the blemishes for this post.

Any thoughts? I am new to pen making and this this my first attempt at a non wood pen.

 

[KenV]

Those kinds of colors are common in horn.

Routine run blanks will commonly have streaks with different shades and tones.

Water buffalo also has a habit of cracking so give it time to cure and balance stresses before assembly.

 

[magpens]

You are tackling one of the most challenging materials for pen turning, in my opinion.

I know that my statement is not offering you any help.

 

[tonylumps]

I did 5 Buffalo Horn pens .within a 3 Month period every one came back with cracks on either end of the blank.Experimented with the remaining blanks I had and gave up on Buffalo horn

 

[KenV]

I have had water buffalo work without cracking, but it needs to set between each phase. It takes time to lose moisture and relieve stresses. Letting it set for a month or more between operations makes a difference.

Want a fast pen, turn acrylics.

 

[Woodchipper]

I read the title and thought you should take the horn off the buffalo first. lol
Interesting thread and food for thought for anyone wanting to use this material for a pen.

 

[mark james]

Some previous threads:

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/oh-give-me-home-where-buffalo-roam-136225/

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/buffalo-horn-m3-145700/

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f14/buffalo-horn-145583/

I have no experience with this material Just trying to be helpful.