A little gift for our friend "John P."

[HuntnCarve]

A while back I got this PM from our friend “John P.” 

“Dave - I have a cow horn that I have had for many years.  I'm not sure how I came about it but I think it may be off of one of the kids 4-H projects or I just found it laying out in the field.  However that may be I was thinking maybe you could make me another howler with it.  Doesn't have much color to it and it's kinda rough to say the least.”

Anyway, right before he left for his surgery, he slipped this horn into the mail for me.  Upon receiving the cow horn, I found it in pretty rough shape, and thin in the walls.  So I had to use a little finesse on the sander.. Well, here’s some pictures to show you the progress.



Above is the horn as I received it.



The pneumatic sander and a few minutes, gently eased it into something a little more presentable.



(Above) Seems a desert insect varmint had a go at this horn?



(Above) No problem!  A little CA glue and some horn dust fixed it right up.




Here’s the sanded horn(Above).



Toneboard cut in, and final sanding (Above).



It was a little too thin to carve on, so a simple scrimshawed scene completed the package.

Here’s the finished howler.  “A gift” from one friend to another. 

In the meantime.  Hope the surgery went well, and that you get back on your feet, and out into the AZ desert that you love.  Hopefully this howler will accompany you on your future adventures.  We’ll all be expecting some pictures at that time.  I’ll get it in the mail and on its way.  Gods speed in your recovery my friend!

HuntnCarve
Dave

[HaMeR]

Now that's a rags to riches story there Dave!! I like the coloring of that horn!! Very nice work on a delicate piece & the scrimshaw looks purdy darn good as well!! Mr John is really gonna like that howler!! 

[Yotehntr]

   Quite a treasure there!     Very cool Dave!

[GunDog]

HaMer nailed it with the rags to riches comment. Dave ya do have a way with those ugly horns. I'll bet that Mr John will put it to good use also.  

[BigB]

Dave, I am sure JohnP will absolutely cherish that call.  You sure made a gem out of that old crusty horn!


Brian

[Todd Rahm]

Thanks for the step by step Dave, and a typical gesture from one of the hobbies class acts. 

The calls and howlers that mean the most to folks are the ones that have meaning behind them, either in the way they came about the materials to the bond they have with the maker. 

Nice job and congrats John. 

[alscalls]

Very Cool Dave!

A nice thing for a nice fella from a nice fella!   Very Cool indeed....

[pitw]

                                                                    UNBELIEVABLE

[coyote101]

Very nice Dave. 

Pat

[Carolina Coyote]

Its amazing what a little sanding and polishing can do in the hands of an expert, fantastic job Dave.  cc

[FinsnFur]

Only in the hands of the miracle man
That is so cool. And I can only imagine how appreciative Johns going to be.

[Hawks Feather]

Dave,

Once again your true colors show.  Who, except for you, would have known what was hidden away inside a really ratty looking horn.  Nice work and I too think that John will be very happy.

Jerry

[Tikaani]

Dave.

Once again your generosity shines through, you are a class act Dave.  The howler is unbelievable and I am sure John will treasure it.

John

[Silencer]

That will brighten his spirits, nice work Dave 

[Frogman]

Wow!  WTG!!

Jim

[possumal]

Dave, considering what you started with, this may be your best work ever.  I know John P will love that howler and have fun with it in the desert. 

[weedwalker]

Dave, you did a fantastic job with that old horn. I'm sure John will just love it.

[Bopeye]

You never cease to amaze Dave!! You are DA MAN!!! 

[Dave]

What a great looking howler.  However, the real gift there is your freindship.

[JohnP]

Words cannot describe what Dave has done.  This is truly a master piece to those of us who enjoy this thing called predator calling.  I will forever be in his debt.  As I told him several weeks back I can't remember if I just found this horn out in the desert or if it came from one of the kids 4-H project.  This morning all the kids stopped by to see how dad was getting along and I showed them the howler.  All three of them claimed it came from one of their calves


P.S.  He also packed some extra goodies in the box, once again THANK YOU.