Don't be scared

[Mark Knapp]

In another thread we talked about exotics that can to move, we learned a few things. One of the un-intended consiquences to a thread like that is that people may get scared to death of a particular material, I think musk ox horn got the brunt of it in my thread and others. The thing to remember is, many knives are made by experienced makers that have no problems, and all the makers that I know stand behind their' work, no questions asked, period. They (me too) will fix it if there is a problem. So the reason for this thread is to show knives with exotics and more specifically, musk ox horn that did not have a problem. Here are a few of mine (I have a lot more) that have been out for quite a while and they have not had a problem. Show me some more.

 

[David Wesner]

Good stuff Mark :thumbup: :thumbup:

You sure make some beautiful knives !

Just out of curiosity, and I apologize if this has already been addressed..... how does stabilizing affect musk ox horn ? Is it an effective means of reducing the movement normally associated with the material ?

I love the look of Musk Ox horn. I'll give it a try one of these days.

 

[RogerP]

I'm not scared. Every one of my knives has natural handle materials of some kind. Past experience does make me wary of any horn, but I'd consider it on the right piece in the right circumstances (i.e. - all factors that can mitigate against possible future movement are in place).

That muskox horn is beautiful stuff.

Roger

 

[Dusty One]

Outstanding work !

 

[Mark Knapp]

Good stuff Mark :thumbup: :thumbup:

You sure make some beautiful knives !

Just out of curiosity, and I apologize if this has already been addressed..... how does stabilizing affect musk ox horn ? Is it an effective means of reducing the movement normally associated with the material ?

I love the look of Musk Ox horn. I'll give it a try one of these days.

Musk ox horn comes standard with minute wriggley cracks in it, stabilization fills those little cracks. Musk ox does not have all the pores associated with antler and some other kinds of horn like Dall sheep so penetration of the stabilizing medium is minimal. In my experience stabilization of musk ox horn is well worth it for the cracks however it does not help much for shrinkage and or warping, for that we cure the material well, and try to design the knife to allow for movement without ill effects.

 

[Mark Knapp]

Thanks for all the nice comments, I appreciate it, there are lots of expert makers that use exotics successfully and have been doing it a lot longer than me, I was hoping to showcase those makers and the knives in this thread, so how about it collectors/makers lets see some exotic handles that have stood the test of time.

 

[ArtinNC]

All very very nice.

 

[Raymond Richard]

Mark, I've been looking at the bottom knife. I see musk ox and can't figure out what the dark stripped material is?

 

[Mark Knapp]

Mark, I've been looking at the bottom knife. I see musk ox and can't figure out what the dark stripped material is?

Hi Ray, That is black mammoth tooth, an unusual color for the material, and I cut it "the other way" which probably helped throw you off. Thanks Ray and everyone.

Lets see stuff from other dudes.

 

[RogerP]

This pair of (mortise) mammoth ivory knives by Dan Farr have been rock solid for several years:

As has his Bailey Bradshaw hunk of mammoth:

I've generally had good luck with solid stag carvers and tapers as well, like this Russ Andrews piece:

And while I don't often do full tang / scales, the amboyna on this Matt Gregory chopper has held up perfectly well.

Roger

 

[Mark Knapp]

Thanks Roger, when a mortised laminate configuration like Farr knives moves, you know it moved. Those are great looking knives, all of them. Thanks

 

[Kevin Jones]

You're right Mark, threads such as your previous do make folks shy away from natural handle materials. The problem is we remember and tell about the one or two we've had problems with, however the MANY which have been issue free don't get equal press.

Just about every knife I have owned has had natural handle material of some sort. I have had a problem with two. The ivory and stag shrank during delayed shipping and the makers did quick and excellent jobs of repairing both. Now I ship all my knives overnight.

Using proper care and a dose of common sense (don't store near heat source, or display under lights that heat-up etc.) and buying from makers who stand behind their work will greatly reduce or eliminate any problems.

 

[Mark Knapp]

You're right Mark, threads such as your previous do make folks shy away from natural handle materials. The problem is we remember and tell about the one or two we've had problems with, however the MANY which have been issue free don't get equal press.

Just about every knife I have owned has had natural handle material of some sort. I have had a problem with two. The ivory and stag shrank during delayed shipping and the makers did quick and excellent jobs of repairing both. Now I ship all my knives overnight.

Using proper care and a dose of common sense (don't store near heat source, or display under lights that heat-up etc.) and buying from makers who stand behind their work will greatly reduce or eliminate any problems.

Thanks Kevin, You are right, the problems always get a lot more notice. I had hoped to help solve some problems.