Buffalo Horn Scales?

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kycolonel

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Dec 17, 2006
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I've been checking out some S&M patterns in buffalo horn, and wonder if I need to be concerned about the handle material. I would intend to carry this knife in rotation, and have heard some feedback that eventually buffalo horn will develop cracks, especially around the pins. So, should I stay away from it, or is there an occasional treatment of some kind to keep this material in good shape?
 
kycolonel said:
I've been checking out some S&M patterns in buffalo horn, and wonder if I need to be concerned about the handle material. I would intend to carry this knife in rotation, and have heard some feedback that eventually buffalo horn will develop cracks, especially around the pins. So, should I stay away from it, or is there an occasional treatment of some kind to keep this material in good shape?
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I've found it to be a pretty tough material in general. A quick occasional wipe down with mineral oil will keep it from absorbing/expelling much moisture.
 
You live in a pretty humid part of the country so some occasional mineral oil treatments should work fine, but I would take into consideration where the knife is being made. I've had some knives, not only in horn, but other natural materials, that were made in extremely humid/moist areas of the country and when the came to TN they started shrinking within a few months. It's usually not a problem, but has happened on occasion.
 
Charly's right. I've bought beautiful stag from other parts of the country and had it crack within a few weeks of arriving here in Vegas. Of course we're talking summer humidity @ 7-10%. I've been using Ren Wax of late and that seems to be a great treatment on all the various scales - but you better get back to me after this summer to confirm.

Mike
 
Another issue with buffalo horn scales is bugs. I've picked up a few khukuris over the years, and a couple of them have little holes in the handles where the bugs got to them while they were in storage. I don't know what species it is, but it is definitely an issue.
 
Personally I have not had any problems with pin cracks.
The 1 thing I did not like about Buffalo Horn is that it scuffs or mars quite easy. Try to keep away from coins,keys ect.
 
kamagong is correct about bugs i had bettles find the horn on a bruckmann whittler. mint till then my gecs are in the tubes so i do'nt expect any troubles. guess you could keep them in a jar between rotations.
 
In dry conditions (here indoors in arctic Scandinavia it's hot&dry,outside cold&dry)it doesn't seem to fare well.Shrinks back from the liners. I'm wary of it.
 
reminds me of a trick used by W.Moran in 70s. he brought vegetable oil up to hot then about 120 degrees he placed his ivory handled knives in oil & let stay till morning. he commented no more cracked ivory handles after this process.do'nt know if this has been validated since by other makers & wonder if it would help stabalize horn from shrinkage.would require a little xtra cleanup on folders. i'm a novice so do'nt know if this process is valid however Moran was one of our greatest makers.
 
I have had khukris with horn handles crack with humidity changes. Sealing them with clear Watco may help, but is not a perfect cure.
 
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