How do they make Viking Drinking Horns?

Viking drinking horns are no longer a thing of the past. Though most people still reach for regular cups, glasses, or mugs when they need to drink, a lot of people are also interested in using unconventional drinking vessels.

Drinking horns were widely used in ancient times. It supposedly began with the Scythians, who carried on through the Middle Ages. In the Modern Period, there was a decline in its use when glass, metal, and wooden drinking vessels came to be, but now, Viking drinking horns are making a comeback.

If you’re curious to know how drinking horns are made, keep reading.

Finding the Horn

Save 20% AleHorn Viking Horn Mug + Shotglass + Bottle Opener – Handcrafted Tankard Drinking Cup for Beer and Coffee – 12 oz
  • GENUINE OX HORN: Every Viking horn is made of authentic, ethically sourced ox horn and chosen for its appearance, durability,…
  • HANDCRAFTED WITH CARE: The secret ingredient of a finely crafted drinking horn is the care that goes into it. Each of our mugs is…
  • AWESOME GIFT: Give a gift that will be cherished for years. An Alehorn drinking horn makes a great gift for bachelor parties,…
AleHorn Viking Horn Mug + Shotglass + Bottle Opener - Handcrafted Tankard Drinking Cup for Beer and Coffee - 12 oz
3,254 Reviews
View on Amazon

A Viking drinking horn comes from animal horns. It can be from a cow, ox, or buffalo. Different horns from those different animals each have their own characteristics that make them unique, such as patterns and melting points.

Businesses that sell drinking horns can get the horn from the animals if they have a cattle farm, and they’ll be getting their materials from their own resources. However, those who don’t own cattle farms, can also get horns from meat stores. The general public doesn’t usually buy the parts that aren’t consumable such as the bones and horns.

Another way, which is a bit more complicated and may even take a lot of time, is to go hunting. Going out in the wild to find a buffalo to hunt is more for the hobbyist drinking horn maker.

shutterstock 696594160

Cleaning the Horn

The raw horns you get once cut off from the animal are not hollow. Drinking horn makers remove the marrow to make it suitable for drinking. For those who get their horns from horn stores, they may already be marrowless. But those who have farms or go hunting will have to clean it out themselves.

There are two ways to remove the core, which is the marrow, from the outer horn:

  • Boiling – Boiling is a quick method to remove the marrow. Boiling softens the core, making it easy for the maker to scrape it out. It’s a messy process, but it’ll be clean in no time.
  • Drying – If you don’t want to create a huge mess because of the softened marrow, you have the option to leave the horn in a warm and dry spot. The core will naturally separate from the outer horn, but it will take a lot of time.

After removing the core, any remnants of the marrow needs to be removed, too. Drinking horn makers usually pour warm water and then scrap it off. They do it repeatedly to make sure that all the fleshy material gets removed.

Styling the Horn

Drinking horns can come in different styles. You are not limited to a single shape or design. But, of course, if you prefer a natural look, you’ll always find those options.

Shaping

There are drinking horns that retain their natural shape. Makers don’t mold it to form new shapes, so it stays the way it is, with an opening, a slim and slender body, and a pointed tip. Drinking horns like those that get cut, cleaned and polished without further embellishments.

If you prefer a modernized drinking horn, there are plenty out there. Makers can mold the horn into a different shape. They do this by heating it and reshaping it when it softens. The process is a bit complicated because, as mentioned, horns have different melting points. If the maker is not sure how to estimate the right temperature, pressing the horn too early or too late can break, making it useless.

Engraving

Engraving makes the horn a little more personalized. Some drinking horn makers offer customization by letting you choose what engravings to put on your order. You can have your name or ask for it to have a Game of Thrones theme if you’re a fan or whatever you might like that they can do.

Again, engraving is another complicated process. Carving too deep may put holes in the horn, making it useless as a drinking vessel. However, it can still be excellent home decor. If you work from home and put it on your desk, at least you have something interesting to look at when you need a break.

Polishing

In ancient times, drinking horns didn’t have coatings. People in the olden days hollowed it out and then used it as it was, without coating the inside. People today may find it repulsive because there could still be a lingering taste or smell of the marrow. It also makes it prone to damage if you use it for dairy or acidic drinks.

To make the drinking horn last long, makers coat it with food-safe finishes to protect it from any damage that some beverages can do. If it has a coating such as beeswax, it can hold any drink without any structural damage.

Final Thoughts

Drinking horns are starting to gain popularity these days. Unusual things like these catch the interest of people, which could be why there is a rise in the number of drinking horn sellers. Of course, popular culture may have something to do with it, too.  Shows like Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings have a historical setting where people use drinking horns. Whatever it may be, drinking horns is fun to have, and the process of its creation is also an interesting part of why they are so fascinating.

Best Viking Drinking Horns

Here are the best Viking drinking horns if you want to go shoppin’:

Viking Drinking Horn – 12 Inch with Leather Holster | 100% Authentic Handmade Beer Cup | Food Grade | Genuine Ox Horn | Natural Shine Finish | LARP | Gift Bag
  • 🍺 PREMIUM HANDMADE VIKING DRINKING HORN identical to historic horns used by the ancient Vikings and Norse who conquered Europe…
  • πŸ‚ GENUINE OX HORN is 100% authentic ethically sourced from certified livestock. This is premium quality professionally made to…
  • ⭐ 100% GENUINE LEATHER HOLDER Belt Holster for Party Use – Each Viking Culture drinking horn comes with a holster that lets…
Viking Drinking Horn - 12 Inch with Leather Holster | 100% Authentic Handmade Beer Cup | Food Grade | Genuine Ox Horn | Natural Shine Finish | LARP | Gift Bag
1,403 Reviews
View on Amazon
Viking Drinking Horn Mug game for thrones Bottle Opener Whiskey Cup Belt Holster Drinking Horn with Stand for Ale, coffee Wine, Mead, Cold Drink, Beer Tankard Food Safe (6 Piece Set)
  • One Direwolf Drinking Mug + One Drinking Horn With Stand +One Belt Holster + One Bottle Opener + One Shot Glass.
  • Each natural horn is unique and may differ from the design pictured.
  • Natural Finish and cut from a solid piece of horn.its a perfect vessel for Vikings, Game of Thrones or Reine Faire.
Viking Drinking Horn Mug game for thrones Bottle Opener Whiskey Cup Belt Holster Drinking Horn with Stand for Ale, coffee Wine, Mead, Cold Drink, Beer Tankard Food Safe (6 Piece Set)
162 Reviews
View on Amazon
Mythrojan Viking Drinking Horn Black Medieval Beer Drinking Horn Authentic Drinking Horn with Strap Norse Beer Horn Small Drinking Horn Mug Viking Ale Horn Cup 250 ml Viking Drink Horn Replica 8oz
  • ⭐ COMPACT SIZE ♦♦ 250 ml drinking horns are especially popular because their reasonable size makes them easy to carry during…
  • ⭐ 100% LEAK-FREE & ETHICALLY SOURCED GENUINE HORN ♦♦ Our drinking horns are individually made by hand, highly polished, and…
  • ⭐ 100% GENUINE LEATHER HOLDER ♦♦ With the carefully handcrafted HOLDER OFFERED FOR FREE with your horn, you will never lose…
Mythrojan Viking Drinking Horn Black Medieval Beer Drinking Horn Authentic Drinking Horn with Strap Norse Beer Horn Small Drinking Horn Mug Viking Ale Horn Cup 250 ml Viking Drink Horn Replica 8oz
1,130 Reviews
View on Amazon
Norse Tradesman Genuine 12-Inch Ox-Horn Viking Drinking Horn Gift Bundle with Horn Stand & Viking Wolf Bracelet | Burlap Gift Sack Included | The Original, Polished, 12-Inch
  • 🍻 PREMIUM BUNDLE – Now get a FREE adjustable Viking bracelet when you purchase of our flagship 12″ drinking horn with horn…
  • 🍻 DRINK FROM GENUINE OX HORN – Every Viking horn is made of authentic, ethically sourced ox horn (Certified Livestock…
  • 🍻 PREMIUM MATERIALS – It all starts with the animals from which our horns are harvested. We only select the finest livestock to…
Norse Tradesman Genuine 12-Inch Ox-Horn Viking Drinking Horn Gift Bundle with Horn Stand & Viking Wolf Bracelet | Burlap Gift Sack Included | The Original, Polished, 12-Inch
3,185 Reviews
View on Amazon
Save 38% Viking Cup Drinking Horn Tankard Authentic Medieval Inspired drinking horn with stand Rustic Vintage Home Decor Gifts
  • The viking drinking horn has been polished and sealed to keep the horn beautiful and leak free. Each tankard is uniquely designed,
  • These medieval Viking horn hold 8 to 12oz. of your favourite mead, ale, beer or lager; and when you’re done drinking, slam it…
  • Each tankard is uniquely designed, no one horn is identical.
Viking Cup Drinking Horn Tankard Authentic Medieval Inspired drinking horn with stand Rustic Vintage Home Decor Gifts
244 Reviews
View on Amazon
Viking Culture 16 Oz. Viking Drinking Horn with Beer Opener, Stand, Genuine Fur Belt Holster and Vintage Burlap Bag, Natural Finished with Authentic Medieval Norse Style
  • Authentic Viking Horn Mug Set – Designed for men and women who love a classic pint of beer, ale, or mead this rustic drinking…
  • Norse Style Medieval Drink Cup – This real horn mug is crafted from ethically sourced Ox horn and features a beautiful, Natural…
  • Fur Belt Holster for Party Use – Each Viking Culture horn drinking mug comes with a horn mug stand and a drink holster that lets…
Viking Culture 16 Oz. Viking Drinking Horn with Beer Opener, Stand, Genuine Fur Belt Holster and Vintage Burlap Bag, Natural Finished with Authentic Medieval Norse Style
1,033 Reviews
View on Amazon
Viking Drinking short Horn with Leather Holster – Authentic & Food Safe Cup – No Leaks – Norse Drinking Beer Mug with 8-10oz Capacity Best Choice of Vikings & Game of Thrones and Viking Theme & Fans
  • EACH HORN MUG A UNIQUE PIECE OF ART: Each of our Viking drink horn tankards is made by hand while listening to Viking metal and…
  • Features a Natural Finish and cut from a solid piece of horn.its a perfect vessel for Vikings, Game of Thrones or Reine Faire….
  • GREAT GIFT: Our beautiful Viking drink horn cups come complete with an authentic Medieval style. This makes it a perfect and…
Viking Drinking short Horn with Leather Holster – Authentic & Food Safe Cup – No Leaks – Norse Drinking Beer Mug with 8-10oz Capacity Best Choice of Vikings & Game of Thrones and Viking Theme & Fans
365 Reviews
View on Amazon
Viking Culture Ox Horn Mug, Shot Glass, and Bottle Opener (3 Pc. Set) Authentic 16-oz. Ale, Mead, and Beer Tankard | Vintage Stein with Handle | Custom Intricate Design – Natural Finish | Wolf/Fenrir
  • Vintage Horn Beer Mug Set – This Viking mug is sourced from real oxen and comes with a 3-oz. horn shot glass and a horn bottle…
  • Highly-Customized Details – From the smooth edges to the engraved design, our Viking drinking mug is made with elegant, yet…
  • Sturdy, Handcrafted Handle – Guzzle down your fresh, cold brew by gripping the classic horn handle and then fill it up again for…
Viking Culture Ox Horn Mug, Shot Glass, and Bottle Opener (3 Pc. Set) Authentic 16-oz. Ale, Mead, and Beer Tankard | Vintage Stein with Handle | Custom Intricate Design - Natural Finish | Wolf/Fenrir
3,947 Reviews
View on Amazon
LORD’S ROCKS Viking Drinking Horn Mug 20-Ounce Beer Stein with Medieval Burlap Jute Bag and Bottle Opener | Authentic Handmade Oxhorn Tankard for Mead and Wine Gifts
  • Viking Drinking Horn Mug: Raise a glass of mead or beer with this Viking drinking horn; with some variation in each organic horn…
  • Handcrafted from Real Oxhorn: Wanting no part of the water buffalo to go to waste, we use sustainable sourced buffalo horns; made…
  • Food-Safe Quality Material: Sealed to keep the horn beer stein leak free, the thoroughly coated interior of this tankard is 100%…
LORD'S ROCKS Viking Drinking Horn Mug 20-Ounce Beer Stein with Medieval Burlap Jute Bag and Bottle Opener | Authentic Handmade Oxhorn Tankard for Mead and Wine Gifts
70 Reviews
View on Amazon

Last update on 2023-04-01 using Amazon Product Advertising API.