Lysander - 3-11-2016 at 04:47 AM
I have been sent some rishas by my father in law in Turkey, I asked for some horn ones. Here they are below.
They are very long, esp the ones on the left. I have included a normal Pyramid one on the right for comparison.
Two questions - do these look like horn to the casual observer? I can't tell. The two in the centre seem to be of a different material to the two on
the left. Secondly, should I cut the longer ones down to a more normal size?
Brian Prunka - 3-11-2016 at 05:20 AM
Yes, they look like horn. Horn varies a lot in color so they could all be the same, probably cow horn.
I would cut them down to a comfortable size. Horn wears though so I would leave them as long as I could get away with, that way when it needs to be
filed down later you have a lot to work with.
Lysander - 3-12-2016 at 05:46 AM
Great, thanks for the advice Brian. What household tool would be best for trimming/cutting something like this? I am wary to use a pair of scissors.
Brian Prunka - 3-12-2016 at 06:11 AM
For small amounts, I would just use nail clippers. If you want to cut a substantial portion off, scissors are okay but might cause cracks—make sure
you cut off a good bit less than you want so that the cracks will be removed when you file it down.
A utility knife would be good but the potential of causing yourself severe injury is high!
I always leave a good bit of extra room and then file the rest down with files, emery paper or sandpaper.
These look like they might benefit from soaking in mineral oil for a week or so. This will make them more flexible and reduce the risk of cracking
when you work on them.
Jody Stecher - 3-12-2016 at 07:23 AM
Olive oil has worked for me.
Brian Prunka - 3-12-2016 at 08:45 AM
olive oil works but can turn rancid and be a bit sticky. Mineral oil doesn't have those issues and is cheaper.
Jack_Campin - 3-23-2016 at 04:02 AM
What difference does a bit of extra length make?
Lysander - 3-25-2016 at 03:50 AM
Well, that'll teach me not to listen: while playing today one of the rishas cracked, so into the olive oil they go for a week:
We didn't have any mineral oil and we have loads of olive oil, so this is what we used. See how my teacher has thinned down two of them to a more
workable size. Seriously, after using these it's hard to go back to plastic again, but I will do for week!
