Do Any Forumites Have Scabbards Fashioned Out Of Horn?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
If so, I'd be interested in knowing if it is made of just 2 or 4 pieces of horn, and once joined together with the metal "frame" and crosspiece, if the rig is immobile and strong. If anyone has a presentation type horn scabbard with sheet metal inlays, I'd also appreciate reading your input concerning the fit of the inlaid pieces, and overall impressions.

I saw a few in the archives that were very nicely done, but unfortunately wasn't able to see any high definition photos. Thank You!

Dan :)
 
I had a 2 piece fish scabbard. Handle was a partial tanged horn tail. OAL was about 12". Think it was called a maccha. put into scabbbard it like a one piece carving out of solid harn.

Also have a Dhancuta blem. 12" and apparently 2 piece under the white metal
 
Rusty surprised the entire Cantina when he admitted:

I had a 2 piece fish scabbard.
Click to expand...

Wow Rusty! What kind? Halibut? Flounder? Shark? Scales on or off? Whole or filet?

Didn't it sort of start to smell after a while?

:p ;) :D

To the rational of the Cantina, sorry, but I just had to!
 
That horn scabbard and khururi are gorgeous. :eek: Too bad the horn shrunk... Do you feel it could have been prevented if some sort of lanolin or moisturizing product was applied regularly? That's definitely a presentation khukuri. "Complimenti", as they'd say in Italian. Beautiful. :)
 
I put the scabbard in a plastic bag full of Hooflex (a horse hoof treatment good for horn handles) for about a month with no effect. It may have been too small from the beginning and a small amount of shrinkage did the rest.

Steve
 
My personal vision of a kothimoda khukuri would be either a horn or wood scabbard with really finely detailed animals and a stylized Nepali sun and moon adorning both sides of a scabbard similiar to yours. If that were my khukuri, I'd even try to have the scabbard made to fit the blade; perhaps you could dismantle it, adjust the size with horn "spacers" and epoxy, and then reframe it. That's definitely a keeper. :)

Dan
 
Here's a pic of a little dhankuta (sp?) that I used to have. It was horn with silver mounting.

Steve
 
2 pieces on the front, 2 on the back. nice engraving on the blade. 16" o/a
horn.jpg
 
On this one, the handle of the khukuri is more interesting than the scabbard. The pommel is highly unusual with the brass piece that is attached to it. With the Sword of Shiva AND a detailed engraving, this is definitely not a working khukuri. :D When was this unusual knife produced? I like it very much...
 
Originally posted by Drdan
If so, I'd be interested in knowing if it is made of just 2 or 4 pieces of horn, and once joined together with the metal "frame" and crosspiece, if the rig is immobile and strong. If anyone has a presentation type horn scabbard with sheet metal inlays, I'd also appreciate reading your input concerning the fit of the inlaid pieces, and overall impressions.

I saw a few in the archives that were very nicely done, but unfortunately wasn't able to see any high definition photos. Thank You!

Dan :)
Click to expand...

The only horn scabbards I've encountered are some of the Golok scabbards from Vailant.
http://www.valiantco.com/java1.html
 
I got me one of those!

*YELLING* WHO HAS THE PIC OF MY ONE-OF-A-KIND GOLOK? PLEASE POST IT UP HERE AGAIN! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

I got it from Valiant Trading Company.

It looks like 2 pieces of horn, with carvings and mother-of-pearl inlay...
 
that is done the same way, that is, highly carved and bound with metal. It also has some gapping issues, and is not a field-carry scabbard. But then, the HI falcatta is not a field carry blade!

falcatta-106-0662_IMG.JPG

I've thot of a fix: I pull the bindings off (they're glued in place, not soldered) then drill small holes in the wood at the edge (an area cosmetically covered by the metal binding when it is assembled), then tack or sew a strip of leather there all the way round to hold it together yet leave room for some give, then reattach the metal more permanently.

If it works, it would be "immobile and strong" as you say. I'll post it when I get it done.

Keith
 
The pieces of horn on this are held to the brass frame by small pins. I can't detect any glue. For a "tourist" piece it's pretty well made.

It isn't too uncommon to have bits of brass inlaid or fastened to the grip. I have seen this same thing done on early 20thc kukris also. The brass buttcap and tang button are pretty standard also. It's just that these were done with a little more attention.
 
Keith... I like that scabbard; wish someone had a link so I could see some detail. As John Powell relates, the piece he showed us on this thread was held together with brass pins. You might consider a similiar approach using silver or white metal pins. The result could be virtually invisible if it were done carefully. Thanks... Dan

John... Your khukuri looks recent; if it's a "tourist" knife, it certainly is a top shelf representative of the genre. On certain khukuris, I really appreciate the attention to details. Can one make the presumption that HI khukuris, including the highly decorated ones, will be collector pieces in the future? I really like the Sword of Shica engraving... :) I'd like to find out more about it, when it first appeared on khukuris, etc. Beautiful design... :)

Dan
 
Originally posted by Drdan
Keith... I like that scabbard; wish someone had a link so I could see some detail.

Dan
Click to expand...

Let's see if this works. From the HI Website.:)

falcata-scab1.jpg


falcata-scab2.jpg


falcata-scab3.jpg
 
I've got a Falcata too and the scabbard on mine is as pristine as the day it came. Never have done anything with it. The appearance could be greatly improved by removing the existing finish and the embedded jeweler's rouge and fininshing it in the Woodchuck manner.:D
 
Is that some sort of Indian rosewood? Should I go for a wooden scabbard, I'd definitley like to give it a super TruOil treatment; the results are incredible. The scabbard you have, Yvsa, must be a real stable wood if you haven't touched it. I like the look of horn, but wouldn't be a happy camper if it cracked or shrunk... :(

Dan :)
 
But has slightly different images.

I have a woodworker/luthier buddy who said he might be into refinishing it, adding an amber varnish,,,

Keith
 
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