bone and horn, how different are they?

[bonky]

She sounds like a perfect candidate for a micarta knife next time around!

While I don't have a definitive answer, I would question if there is any real difference (other than aesthetics) between stag and other bone options, since antler is essentially bone.

But at the end of the day, as Ernie said, they are all pretty darn durable options, within reasonable use.

I'm with you on that one, the last knife I got her in December was a Hayin Helper in orange delrin :thumbup:

I agree with you, all the materials have proven to be pretty durable. I just need to make sure that I pick knives with extra tough scales out for her in the future

 

[pertinux]

When I was asked to look at it, the scales were so badly checked and warped that it looked to be made of weathered grey driftwood, I kid you not

I've seen at least one picture here (in this forum) of a buffalo horn knife that was as you describe-- it looked like driftwood!

I don't think it was yours, though...?

Interesting phenomenon.

~ P.

 

[puukkoman]

Seems to me, that bone is a little bit more durable over long periods of time. Many of the horn handles I've seen have dried out and warped, while bone of the same vintage maintains its original shape a little better. Of course, as long as you don't let it dry out to that extent, horn should hold up just fine.

 

[bonky]

I've seen at least one picture here (in this forum) of a buffalo horn knife that was as you describe-- it looked like driftwood!

I don't think it was yours, though...?

Interesting phenomenon.

~ P.

No ma'am, it wasn't my picture. I wish I had taken some before and after shots of it, because it ended up looking pretty much as it did when originally purchased.

I'd rather be lucky than skilled anyday

 

[Will Power]

If you look in Levine's forum, or on the Old Knives thread, you can see very old Horn handled knives. However, I have a suspicion that the skills&techniques of curing horn in the past may have been lost now, they may have had certain processes that we don't. This may explain the shrink and warp you can sometimes get on Horn knives of today. Not all mind, Horn is used extensively by French& Italian artisan makers and I've had no bad experiences with these. In my view, Ram's Horn can equal Stag for complexity and variety, interior Ram's Horn gives another aspect too.

Generally though, I'd say bone is more reliable in the durability stakes, but this too depends on the quality of bone/techniques.

Ivory is often prized ( I have my own ethical reservations about modern use) and is very beautiful, but the Elephant's tooth can be a fragile material too, sensitive to humidity etc. I assume Tortoise is similar to Horn as it's a similar structure I believe.

Hard to beat Ebony for durability over the long era I'd say.