Tip overlay questioin

[David_Daugherty]

Working on my first re-curve Osage bow.  Want to put the black horn tip overlays on the tips.  I guess its either cow or buffalo horn.  Where would be the best place to purchase the horn?  What does everyone use to shape and smooth the horn?  I assume a file and sandpaper but thought I had better ask. 

[lukelawrence171]

Tip overlays are my favorite part of Bow making I've only used horn a couple of times and it was from deer I killed but I know 3 rivers sells nice blocks of cow horn and most online places do also you might want to check pine hollow longbows. I have used belt sander with a 120 grit paper it worked the best for shaping horn

[TimBo]

You need to go to Echo Archery and click on Bow-making Supplies.  He has all sorts of goodies.

[echatham]

x2 on echo archery, but knife making suppliers also have all kind of fancy stuff.

[Pat B]

Check out our own "Trading Post".

[osage outlaw]

Go to your local pet store or farm supply store.  They have started selling horns as dog chew toys.

[JW_Halverson]

For about $2,200 I can get you a matched set of American bison horns.  Comes with an entire bison, no extra charge!

I have sawn horn with everything from a light coping saw, to a hack saw, to a carpentry saw.  It's pretty easy to work.  You can then shape with rasps, files, sandpaper, and even with a scraper.  I have also used power tools like a dremel, tec.  But you also risk burning the horn if you use high revolutions.  Once burnt, you will need to scrape down under the brown stinky damage. 

Then once it is smoothed out as nice as you can get it with 600 grit sandpaper, use some chalk on a strip of cloth and polish away.  When it is as polished as you like, rub a little wax into that strip of cloth and a little more elbow work will make it glow!

[bubby]

You can do it like jdub says or when you get all the marks out use a buffer pad on a bench grinder brings the shine right out, and I will vouch for Echo archery as well, fast service from a member here

[David_Daugherty]

Thanks guys for all the tips.  Yes I checked out Echo Archery and like their selection of materials.  I do have another question-do you shape the horn nocks prior to attaching them to the bow or roughly shape them attach to the bow then finish them up??

[Bryce]

I get mine from echo archery as well.
I leave them 1/2" wide and taper one side so it's easy to make the tradition to the wood. A belt sander is my best friend when doing overlays. Check out Gordon's hazelnut D bow tutorial. Great instructions on overlays.

[David_Daugherty]

Brice, I just went through the tutorial.  Great instructions, I had no idea I needed to bevel the end of the bow to prepare the overlay.  Thanks for the help!!

[Pat B]

David, you don't need to taper the tip but you do still need a flat surface that matches the overlay. A good glue joint is the critical part.

[medicinewheel]

For further help you may want to check this thread here:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,1729.0.html