Question About Drinking Horns...

[Herewulf]

Sorry if this is off topic but I can't think where else to post this.

I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on a problem with my drinking horn. Its not a horn I made myself so I know nothing about repairing/cleaning it.

Firstly, I stopped using my horn when I noticed a small stratch on the inside wall, with what looks like a fibre hanging out of it, since everyone told me this could get bacteria from the bone into the drink (one even said I could get BSE from it, but that sounds a bit extreme to me). I bought it from a castle shop so I don't know what was done to it when it was made, but it seems to have some kind of clear varnish on the inside, which is very smooth as a result. Does anyone know how I can fix this tear/scratch? I was told using non-toxic finger nail repair glue is possible?

Also, because of the tear (which happened back in december) I haven't used the horn in months, does anyone know how I can clean it best without damaging it?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I'm probably just being paranoid about an insignificant thing!

Edward

[Grimsteinr]

You could simply use fine grit sandpaper to smooth the spot. And then coat the inside of you drinking Horn with hot, melted beeswax. I have treated many Drinking Horns this way, for sale and as Gifts to Kinsmen.
The only drawback you might find is that you can only use them for cold drinks, such as beer, cider, wine or Mead.
All my personal Drinking Horns are treated with beeswax. It lasts for years.

[Scario]

I know this is an old post, but I wanted to give some advice to this for others who may come across it, or have the same issues. If your horn is varnished, adding beeswax to it will, most of the time, not work well. The beeswax needs something to grip to. An unworked horn is porous. The beeswax has something to grip. If you have a scratch in your horn that is varnished, find a food grade varnish and reseal it. I personally do not like a varnished horn. It is a chemical compound that I don't want tasting or getting into my body. I clean the horn with bleach, letting it sit overnight. Pour out and rinse with hot water, let clean cold water sit in it for a day. Smell it. If it still stinks badly, re-bleach. re-rinse. I normally do it twice anyways till it no longer fizzes up (the top will bubble up and be a white froth on the top) with the bleach. Next step, put in a bottle of beer, mead or other alcoholic beverage and let sit overnight. Rinse well and use. I use to use beeswax, but it would chip or start coming off inside the horn. I hate wax in my mead.

[Dvergr]

I clean the horn with bleach, letting it sit overnight.

Would raw vinegar not be a safer alternative ?

[Rodskarl Dubhgall]

Would raw vinegar not be a safer alternative ?

Yes, never use bleach, ammonia, borax or other harsh chemicals to clean vessels and utensils for ingestion. Even lemon may be paired with vinegar and not just for cleaning, but to neutralize the scent as well as any trace taste.