Does Sheep Horn make a good handle material?

D

Davy Davis

Joined
Feb 27, 2000
Messages
82
I've heard from two different knife makers who I trust a lot on the advisability of sheep horn for knife handles. One said horn is so unstable he would never use it, the other uses it a lot and absolutely loves it's look and feel.
From their comments it is most likely they are referring to different sheep from different parts of the world.
I'd appreciate any information on sheep horn as a handle or handle insert material.
Thanks,
Davy
 
Sheep horn makes a really nice looking handle. It is extremely soft and you can't get too aggresive on the grinder or you will stand the chance of taking off too much material before you know it. As far as working it goes, it is very easy, works about like ox horn but does not tend to fracture as bad when it is drilled. Tip: I have used a brad point (wood) drill bit as well as cutting fluid to keep material from fracturing. It smells about like "wet dog" when you sand it. Like any other horn, don't get it too hot, this stuff will scorch!
If you are worried about it being unstable, send it K&G and get it stablilized or coat it with super glue and lightly sand. I personally haven't had any problems with it.

C Wilkins

[This message has been edited by C L Wilkins (edited 04-18-2000).]
 
i use lots of sheephorn i dont really have that much problem with it i use all wild sheep not the barnyard ones you need to make sure its dry and put in enough pins and rivet it on not just pin it and dont lay it in your windshield

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All that is not Given Is Lost
 
if you do it right, like stag, sheephorn is one of the most beautiful natural materials in the world...the secret is to grind it thin from the back side...leaving all the natural ridges and color as nature made them. i would recommend that you make it way thinner than you think it should be, cause once you put it on it will be thicker than you thought.....and if you do it just right then all you have to do is sand and round the bottom and top next to the tang....it is killer stuff......see Steve R Johnsons web page for the right way to do bighorn.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
i have made a few knives using wild sheep horn for scales, and have had absolutly no problem with splitting or shrinkage its beautiful when polished up just take your time with it and im sure you will be pleased!
 
Mr. Mayo is right, get it as thin as you possibly can. You will think that it is too thin but trust me, I have gotten it what I thought was thin enough and ended up scrapping the scales. This is also a very good recommendation for sambar stag as well.

C Wilkins
 
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