My Drinking Horn Smells and Taste Funny
Ounces or Length?
Many shops offer horns sold by length, but over time we have noticed a problem with this. Take for example two horns that are 14 inches long. They may hold 8 ounces of liquid, or they might hold 27 ounces. It really is a crap shoot.
We recommend only buying from sellers who list their ounce sizes so you truly know what you are getting when you spend your money. Over the years we have seen small horns (12 inches or less) that can hold up to 14 ounces of liquid, and large horns (over 16 inches) that only hold 6 ounces.
Horns are a natural product and as such they are always different from each other, even if they come from the same cow! The length of one horn may differ from another greatly, but they may hold the same amount of liquid. Before spending your money be sure you know what you are buying.
Accessory Options
So now you have found a horn that fits your sanitation and sealant needs. What about ways to make it stand up? Or how do you hold it to your belt? Are they customizable?
Drinking Horn Stands
Stands are a great addition to your drinking horn order. They allow you to set your horn down on a table or any other horizontal surface instead of having it in your hand any time there is liquid in it.
There are three kinds of materials you will typically find when looking for stands: wooden, metal, and horn.
Wooden
Wooden stands can be a great addition to your drinking horn. They are available in almost any kind of wood, and some vendors will also wood burn them for you for an added personal touch.
Finished drinking horn stands are left in their natural state or stained.
Wooden drinking horn stands are two legs of a tripod (as shown in the picture above), and they pack flat.
Pros:
Lower prices
Tripod versions will pack flat
Made from natural material
Customizable
Cons:
A lot of options can be hard to narrow down
If not treated or maintained they could crack
Some woods lighten or darken in color with age
Buy with the horn
Metal
Metal stands are less versatile than wood stands, and are harder to pack. However, they are much more of an one size fits most. You can buy metal stands long after buying your initial horn and not have to worry about if it will fit because in most cases it will!
Pros:
Long lasting
Nearly indestructible
One size fits most
Cons:
Higher priced
Does not store flat
Not as customizable
Horn
Horn stands are another option to hold your horn. The horn and stand are often sold as a set because much like the wooden horn if you buy them after you get a horn it is hard to know if it will fit properly.
One thing to keep in mind with a horn stand is that you need to consider all of the same criteria you do for your drinking horn. If you don't then your horn may not smell but the stand certainly will! And that will not lead to a positive drinking experience.
Pros:
Usually offered with the drinking horn
Lightweight
Cons:
Sam considerations as a drinking horn
May smell
Prone to cracking if not maintained
Drinking Horn Holders
Belt holders (otherwise known as frogs) are a great addition to your drinking horn accessories. They allow you to hang a horn either from your belt for from your shoulder via a strap. Frogs are made of cloth or leather. They also have carvings or metal embellishments.
Pros:
A great alternative to stands as they can be used when standing
Usually pack flat
Can be customizable
Cons:
Can be expensive depending on the complexity
Carved Drinking Horns
Carvings in drinking horns are not only period they can be really cool! Whether you choose your Hogwarts House, Westeros House, or simply a symbol that holds meaning for you there are truly some talented artisans out there carving horns.
Lines can be dyed to make them stand out. If this is something you are interested in be sure to ask your artisan if they provide this service before commissioning a carved horn from them.
Carvings in drinking horns are not only period they can be really cool! Whether you choose your Hogwarts House, Westeros House, or simply a symbol that holds meaning for you there are truly some talented artisans out there carving horns.
Once carved the artisan can color in the lines with dye. If this is something you are interested in be sure to ask your artisan if they provide this service before commissioning a carved horn from them.
Hand Carved Drinking Horns
Hand carving is time consuming and detailed art form that dates back to the Viking Age. Before commissioning a work you should:
- Look for the artisans lead time (how long it will take before they can get to your horn)
- Find out how long it typically takes them to carve a horn
- Discuss your design idea
- If you are interested in having the lines colored ask if the artisan provides this service.
Be aware when getting into horn carving that you are paying not only for someones time but also for their talent and steer clear from pricing that seems too good to be true.
Pros:
Can achieve a level of detail on multiple levels
Supporting artisans
Great addition to your horn
Cons:
Can be expensive
Long lead times
May have a lead time of 6 months to a year with a good artisan
Sand Blasted and Laser Engraved
Sand blasting can be much more reasonably priced than hand carving and often it is a process where the design can be copied onto many horns. The trade off is that the detail is not as rich as it can be in hand carving, nor is the etching as deep as hand carving will be.
Pros:
Repeatable
Cheaper than Hand carving
Faster turn around
Cons:
Not as detailed as hand carving
Lines may be to shallow for coloring in
May have a lead time of 6 months to a year with a good artisan
How Much Should A Drinking Horn Cost?
Prices for horns range from $20 to hundreds of dollars depending on the quality of horn, any carvings, and stands or belt holders included.
With everything prices matter. The cheaper you buy the lower quality you could potentially get. Always be sure to read the product description and reviews before making any purchases.
We hope this buyer's guide is helpful to you. If you would like updates on our articles, new products, and what we have been up to please sign up for our newsletter below!
Should My Drinking Horn Leak?
Some product descriptions say that because horn is a natural material it may leak. This is a sign that they are not quality checking their products and to run for the hills.
A properly sealed horn will never leak. And companies that are asking you to spend upwards of $60 dollars on a product that they are in no way guaranteeing.
If your horn leaks contact customer service for a refund. Find another seller that offers better products, and always be sure to check the reviews.
Source: https://vikingandweaver.com/buyers-guide-drinking-horns/
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