Giraffe bone question

Thomason

Thomason

Joined
Nov 28, 2002
Messages
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I was wondering if any of my fellow "Traditionalist" have any thoughts on giraffe bone as a handle material for a slip joint? I like the looks of it in pictures I have seen. Is it durable, prone to cracking or shrinking, that sort of thing?
 
I have stabilized giraffe bone handles on a small fixed blade (3" blade and handle) I've had for 4 yearas. I really like the color and the way the dye gives different colors to different parts of the bone. The bone expands and shrinks a little with the humidity, but there have been no cracks. It has one small crack since day one, but since the bone is stabilized with epoxy, its made no difference actually adds to the appearance. I carry the knife in a pocket sheath about once a week, have dropped it, used in the kitchen, washed it, etc. with no problem. The end of the handle comes to a relatively sharp point that I was afraid might lead to problems with the bone, but it hasn't. It is a custom, and the handles are both glued and pinned.
 
Here is some giraffe bone on a small neck knife I got from J. Neilson. It has held up fine with everyday carry.
I think I would like a Barlow in giraffe bone...yea, that's the ticket. :D

Bill
 
I have a giraffe bone folding skinner from Ray Cover, the bone looks good enough to eat and has held up perfectly. (Can post pictures later if requested.)

I say go for it!
 
Thanks for the vote of confidence Thomason, that's a beaty and I think you did right.

Here's my Cover skinner, a little lighter than the one you bought but I've seen Giraffe bone in all different shades.



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I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of Giraffe bone handles. It's not that I have any particular hatred for the stuff; I mean, bone is bone to me. I have lots of bone handled knives. What I don't like is when somebody dyes it goofy looking colors, in an attempt to make it look like mammoth ivory(or, other even weirder colors). :barf: When it's done like on Chad's Cover folder, it looks pretty good.
 
I think it is a tad bit brittle and know of some makers who refuse to use it unless you supply the piece yourself and zero guarantee on it.

looks purty though!

I agree, Danbo when you see it blue and what not....:jerkit::barf:
 
Thomason,

That is a really nice knife. Congratulations on that one. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Bill
 
Thanks for the pictures of your giraffes, guys.
JB Moore is out of Ft. Stockton Texas and usually shows up at the Central Texas Knife Show in Austin. I have handled some of his stuff there in years past and they seem very well done.
 
Some bone is more porous than others. It also depends on what the animal in question is, and is feeding on. Generally though, bone is bone. So its not going to be much better or worse than any other bone.
 
Bone is not bone. :) I was told by the maker of my knife that giraffe bone has properties that make it better than other bone for handles both structurally and when it comes to adding color. My memory is not complete, but I believe he indicated that giraffe bone is longer and stronger and takes color in prettier ways than the more common cow bone.
 
All bone takes dye differently. Even from cow bone, to cow bone (anyone who has dyed bone knows this). What the animal feeds on does affect the quality of the bone, porousity, etc. (also different dye lots affect colors, shades, etc.)

Giraffe bone would be longer than cow bone, but bone is bone :)
 
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