Pagans: What's the best way to clean my horn?

Question

I just got it from the tannery. And if you don't know why this is a religious questions then don't answer. It is if you know anything about my religion

*shrug* It's not a religion, Asatru is a way of life but the word "religion" speaks to more people as they know the definition of that word and most have no idea what Asatru is.

I totally cheated and bought it polished. I only have so much time in the day! LOL But I do need to clean out the inside. Thanks guys. :)

Answer 1

Boiling water and vinegar (if it smells).
For me, being Pagan is a way of life, I detest the word "Religion" so....um... "man" made!

Answer 2

All good and comprehensive answers up to this point, so I'll just make the distinction, not really dwelt upon much yet, between *cleaning* and *curing.*

Cleaning, if this is a raw horn, involves boiling, bottle-brushing, and either baking soda or white vinegar. The boiling process will soften the horn, so don't overdo it. It IS a good time to round out the opening, though, if needed.

All you're really looking to do is get the gunky bits and "horny" smell out of it.

Once it's clean and dry, a palm sander and fine grit, followed by #0000 steel wool, will smooth down the outside. I like to rist A*L*U around the rim at this point (Ansuz - Laguz - Uruz, a charm from the Havamal) and most often use Turtle brand car wax to buff up the outside to a nice shine. Beeswax is a bit more authentic.

Put NOTHING on the inside of the horn. Prop it up (wrap the tip in a handtowel and stick it in the disposal) and fill it with a good, dark beer---Shiner, Guinness, like that. Let it sit and soak for a good 24 hours and you're done.

Answer 3

I totally agree.. it's a way of life and not a religion.

I found this on the Raven Kindred website. It assumes you've already purchased one that's relatively clean:

We clean the inside further with a bottle brush, and dish scrubber pads, hot water mixed with a bit of bleach, dish soap, and after rinsing well, dump cheap beer inside the horn and let it cure for at least a day to get rid of the horn taste.

The outside gets worked on first usually with medium/medium coarse metal pads, gradually going to finer and finer grades. If at the beginning you want to get an idea of what your horn will look like sanded, splash some water on it, and the colors as they will appear will be brought out. We end with rubbing some beeswax lightly on the outside to help put a polish on the horn.

Answer 4

I found this on the web, cant remember what site though.

Making your own drinking horn
By: Baron Vladimir of Esztergom

Process perfected by Master Snaeulf Rolfson, and] Mistress Rosetrude the Shrew, Laurel Atlantia


This process assumes that the horn has already been separated from its bone core.
Finding the horn: Try to find a horn that has relatively few flaws in it. Keep in mind that no horn is perfect. A lot of work will have to be done to make even the best raw horns presentable. Choose colors that will complement the pigment you will be using later.
Clean the horn: The inside of the horn must be cleaned and sanitized before any work can be done. First, you should sterilize the inside of the horn with a strong mixture of bleach and water. Let it soak overnight outside or in a well-ventilated area. Neutralize the bleach with vinegar. After bleaching DO NOT USE AMMONIA. Then wash the inside of the horn with soapy water and a scrubbing wire brush. Be sure you reach all the way down inside the horn.
Sanding: If you have access to one, use a drum sander or a belt sander with course grit paper. Be careful to remove only the blemishes and not to sand to long in one spot; you want to retain the natural curved surfaces of the horn. If you do not have a power sander you will have to sand by hand. If the blemishes are extreme a file or sharp knife can be used to cut them away. To remove major blemishes you may go across the grain of the horn. This will speed the sanding process. Make certain that the following sanding are done with fine and then ultra fine grit paper. Final sanding should be done with an ultra fine flap sander or a polishing cloth. You do not need to sand the entire surface or the horn; leave the top portion, which you will later cut away.
Cutting the top: Cut the top of the horn off with a fine toothed saw. A hacksaw will probably suffice, but a band saw will be preferable. Try to cut the top off as level as possible. Sand the raw edge smooth with ultra fine grit paper then a polishing cloth.
Cutting the design: Trace or draw the desired design onto the horn. Remember you are transferring a flat image onto a curved surface and will have to compensate. Carbon paper will work well for this.
Etch the design: Use a stylus, nail, or a strong pin to scratch the design into the surface of the horn. A dremel tool or carving knife can be used for deeper images. Be very careful. A mistake is best remedied by finding some way to incorporate it into the overall design rather than trying to sand it out.
Pigmenting the design: Use pigmented wax or water based ink to fill in the design. Use caution with ink that it does not flow freely into small cracks and crevices in the surface that you did not notice before. If ink is used, carefully sand off the ink remaining on the surface.
Wax the outside: Warm the horn so that it will take the wax more readily. Smear the wax across the surface of the horn. Beeswax works well for a shiny finish. Shoe polish will also work if spread very thinly, but it will change the color of the horn slightly. Buff the horn with a rag to even out the coating.
Treat the inside: Again, beeswax can be used. Do not use this method if you intend to drink hot liquids. Salad bowl finish can be found at unfinished furniture stores and also works very well. For those with authenticity concerns, no, it is not period. But it is made from natural mineral oil and spirits. Hot and cold liquids of varying strength can be drunk from the horn then. To use the finish, first heat the horn, and then apply finish liberally to the inside with a brush or rag. Be sure to coat the entire interior. Dump out the excess. Hang the horn in a well-ventilated area with a fan blowing up into the horn for 24 hours. The finish will require 72 hours to cure completely; then it will be safe to drink from.

Hope this is what you were looking for.

Answer 5

Boiling water to start with. If you just got it from the tannery, you might want to do it outside or with a fan on.

Keep boiling until it doesn't smell and you don't get flakes coming out.

Be careful if the horn is thin, don't burn yourself!

Answer 6

Hail and Welcome Daughter of the All Father.
The old way was to boil the horn with urine. then rinse in a Salt peter solution. rinse well, then polish with wax from from a Bees Hive.
Carve Runes of plenty upon it. Havalmal text
May it serve you and the Gods well !

Answer 7

Best way is to bring it to a slow boil in water with a little salt, then scrub it out with a long handle, flexible bottle scrubber with firm bristles.

Answer 8

I understand that boiling works well, although I don't have any experience with it myself. I'm just happy I know what you're talking about.

EDIT: Or maybe I'm wrong... this website says something completely different:
http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/horn/chorn.html

Answer 9

Give it to the local horn crafter and tell him when he's done with it you'll give him a half case of your best spring mead.

Answer 10

Try Lemon Juice, then Water to rinse it off. Repeat. Does it have that urine smell to it?