How To Buffalo Horn

M

mpcoppin

Joined
Dec 8, 2017
Messages
68
I want to buy some buffalo horn to use for making wa handles but I’ve never worked with that material before.

I’m not sure what to buy. I see some places selling “water buffalo horn” and it looks just like what I’d expect, a curved horn, black on the outside with a little hollow in the middle. Then I see blocks, rolls, blanks, and other stuff that looks like it’s made of acrylic.

I’m not sure I understand exactly what it is and how it is to work with. Can anybody give me an idea of what I’m going to need?

Does it drill, file, & sand like a wood? Metal? Acrylic? Is it soft? Brittle?
 
hi, i have used buffalo horn a few times. if it might go in the dishwasher, i would avoid it. its kinda like working with plastic. its a bit soft. almost like your fingernail. i think its best used on folding knives where the whole handle scale is one piece of horn. it seems a bit softer than acrylic handle scales while sanding. just my 2 cents.
 
I love horn, I think it's a great alternative to using plastics. It works kinda like plastic, it is soft, but you can do SO much with it. You can heat it and bend it, you can polish it to a mirror, or leave it mat.. It makes great contrast with almost any metal... Good stuff!
 
The only problem with horn is that it is usually heated and straightened. It may warp, and it does shrink over the years.
 
You want water buffalo blocks, not raw horns or horn section cuts.
Off the top of my head I can't remember which supplier I get it from, but I buy 1X1X2" blocks that are jet black and stable. IIRC, they come in a six pack for about $20. I see folks on ebay selling similar blocks. They are surprisingly cheap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top