Lysander
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Long rishas
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?
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Brian Prunka
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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.
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Lysander
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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.
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Brian Prunka
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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.
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Jody Stecher
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Olive oil has worked for me.
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Brian Prunka
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olive oil works but can turn rancid and be a bit sticky. Mineral oil doesn't have those issues and is cheaper.
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Jack_Campin
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What difference does a bit of extra length make?
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Lysander
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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!
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