Anyone have any idea how tough the Rams horn handles are compared to say Stag? Do they chip or crack? I would assume that the paua shell is brittle and are ment to be safe queens but would a ram's horn be tough enough for field use? Also what kind of ram? I would guess domestic ram and imported from somewhere. I'm looking to get another custom 110 and wanted to know more about the ram's horn on a using knife.
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Buck's Ram's horn handles, how tough?
- Thread starter bilrus61
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- Aug 24, 1999
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That ram wont likely chip or crack. I guess its like Heng em said, its tough as nails....finger nails! 
But, sometimes it will want to warp. I dont know what causes this in the field but I have heard that in production here at Buck, they dont want to heat it up too much as that might cause warpage so maybe using the knife in the hot sun would do the same thing?
But, sometimes it will want to warp. I dont know what causes this in the field but I have heard that in production here at Buck, they dont want to heat it up too much as that might cause warpage so maybe using the knife in the hot sun would do the same thing?
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- Jan 11, 2004
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Ram Horn is a very tough handle material. I have made several for people and no one has complained yet about any problems with durability or warpage. My boss carries and uses one daily I made for him for the past year and a half and the handles look good as new with no seperation from the liners. (I check ocassionally!)
Eric
Eric
Ram tough. But as Joe H. alluded to, you might see shrinkage/warpage from it.
I had a custom fixed blade with ram's horn made a few years back from a local
maker. I never did use it, but after looking at it one day about a year later, the handles had shrunk considerably away from the metal. The gaps were pretty bad. I brought it back it to the maker & he wasn't too happy either.
He had no problem taking it back.
I had a custom fixed blade with ram's horn made a few years back from a local
maker. I never did use it, but after looking at it one day about a year later, the handles had shrunk considerably away from the metal. The gaps were pretty bad. I brought it back it to the maker & he wasn't too happy either.
He had no problem taking it back.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2006
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- 490
I believe ram's horn is a form of hair like nails and claws. It will splinter before it will crack or chip. I further believe the warpage and shrinkage is due to the drying out of the lanolin in the material. Antler is a form of the mineral calcium (calcium carbonate/calcite) and like many minerals it will crack and chip but does not usually shrink (much).
Sweet!In my opinion ram's horn is most beautiful scale material of Buck's folders
:thumbup::thumbup:
What model is that? Another Buck model i haven't seen before.
I wish Buck's website had downloadable pdf versions of their catalog(s).
:grumpy:
The new website is... well bleaaaah.
Makes the old website look good.
Because of the forums every other day i'm accidentally discovering "new" models i would have bought if i had known they existed!
I'm going to buy a Buck Crosslock soon, solely due to bladeforums members and their pics!
Buck should give you guys a commission!
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- Aug 24, 1999
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Nice collection Mark! I especially like the second one from the left. I am partial to abnormalities in any natural product inlays and that one looks to have a knot hole. Things like that make the knife stand out in a good way from all the others in the run.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
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Due to this thread, this morning I had a changing of the guard ceremony. Relieved my 110NS G-10 from its' post to be replaced by the 110NS SS Damascus Rambo.
Even brefore reading this thread, I was concerned about the scales taking a hit if I dropped it. So, being the trusting gent that I am, will give it a try for at least a few weeks until I get bored.
Click the pic:
Even brefore reading this thread, I was concerned about the scales taking a hit if I dropped it. So, being the trusting gent that I am, will give it a try for at least a few weeks until I get bored.
Click the pic:
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That ram wont likely chip or crack. I guess its like Heng em said, its tough as nails....finger nails!
But, sometimes it will want to warp. I dont know what causes this in the field but I have heard that in production here at Buck, they dont want to heat it up too much as that might cause warpage so maybe using the knife in the hot sun would do the same thing?
If the horn is cracking, might a coat of gloss help the problem? A coat of a sealer may help keep it from drying out.
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2005
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- 2,606
I wouldn't worry a single second about having an issue with rams horn inlays, especially if they are pinned. Take a look at Ed Fowlers' custom knives, it's his handle of choice on his fixed blades.
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- 2,869
I have been using ram's horn since 1976, I have found it is the toughest natural material available and beats a lot of the man-made materials. Treated right shrinkage is minimal and can be corrected with a bath in extra virgin olive oil or tree wax or simply the oils from your skin.
The trick is to age it and use it like it is meant to be used.
The trick is to age it and use it like it is meant to be used.