favored handle material

Both will hold up just fine to what ever you throw at the kukri.

 

Maybe you oughta get an M43 kukri with a wooden scale on one side, and a horn handle scale on the other... and see which one falls off first after heavy use. If they don't fall off in your lifetime, you must pass this mission unto your progeny or closest living kin.

 

I think wood is less prone to shrinking and cracking. I prefer wood.

 

I personally find horn more aestheticly pleasing, I read in a another thread, wood is stonger. So form an aesthetic standpoint, I prefer horn but on a practical standpoint, wood seems to be a better choice (or so I read).

 

I prefer wood.

 

Wood feels a little better in hand to me. Also it lends itself to be more easily customized (via sanding, staining, finishing, etc).

...but I have never turned down a khuk in horn

 

Wood handles are easy to customize sand/stain/ ect. and i do like the way they look. But i would not pass up a horn handle khukuri.SO what it comes down to is what you like the looks of the best because you will get more than just ONE

 

I prefer wood for the simple reason that you don't have to worry about those bugs eating your horn handles.

 

Wood! WOOD!

 

I really dig the horn. Check out this beauty from Sher Tiger.
Zero issues with cracks or shrinkage. I do a monthly wipedown of the handle with neatsfoot oil.
Also protects the exposed tang from rust.

 

Very good looking HORN Handle you have there . MR Mike

 

That's incredible MrMike, I didn't know horn could look like that.

 

thanks - it's very fitting coming from kami Sher Tiger.
The striping on the handle matches his name!

 

Mine has been in solid use forever and the horn was tough on my hands so I smoothed the whole magilla down and wrapped them in friction tape then went over that with a thin layer of Gorilla Glue then sanded that with 80 grit for a textured feel and its rock solid. Not advocating that everyone run out and do this but these knives were made to beat on not hang in a closet.

 

I agree with what most have said here, Horn looks nicer, especially if you get some color variation in the grain. Wood i think is tougher and provides a better grip, plus it can be modified easier.
My kerambit has antler which might be the best of both worlds, looks nice and a nice grip.
It would be nice to see more antler on these Kukris, maybe on a katana

 

Thanks for the tip on neatsfoot oil; will try it tomorrow. Beautiful handles.