Giraffe Bone?

[Diggerdog]

I just read the thread about what knife collectors don't like in a knife. I've never used giraffe bone but Ive seen it and it appears to look nice and seems fairly solid enough. I'm just curious why do most collectorsl agree that they don't want a knife with giraffe?

 

[A. Brett Schaller]

My guess:

1. Even though it's a natural material, many consider it "imitation" mammoth ivory, and they don't want anything "imitation" on a handmade knife.

2. There are always current "trendy" things to hate, and girraffe bone is the current trendy thing.

Mostly 2.

 

[Gabe Newell]

Various giraffe bone handles:

J. Neilsen

T. Mickley

Ray Cover

B. Gaines

Jerry Hossom

Rob Davidson

 

[Will Power]

If people 'hate' the scales on these knives because it's a trendy thing to do then they must be a herd animal! That bone looks superb in all finishes shown above, now I can see bankruptcy looming-I have to get hold of some of that gear!

 

[T-BAG]

Where does one go to find a dead ....ahhh.....giraffe?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The only real negative for giraffe bone is that it is quite dense,and makes the knife handle heavy.

 

[Allen Newberry]

Do people believe that it is unethical?

 

[Diggerdog]

The knives shown in the pictures above are beautiful. I would not hesitate to try this bone material. Thanks for the pictures gabe.

 

[Will Power]

Do people believe that it is unethical?

Can't be unethical if you use the bone from animals that have died,even zoo specimens so it's waste not wont not.But, in my view, it would be wrong to hunt healthy giraffe simply for the bone-like the madness of murdering elephants for their 'teeth'. Be patient, all life becomes bone sooner or later. Human bone scales anyone?:foot: Those knives look really sharp, in both senses of the word, what do they cost? A mint no doubt...

 

[Azis]

I really like the looks of giraffe bone, and I don't buy my knives for other peoples preferences

 

[Jerry Hossom]

I like it for the simple reason that it does look like very high grade mammoth ivory at about 1/10th the price. The cost of these knives would easily have doubled if they were made with mammoth ivory.

 

[John R. Fraps]

I like Giraffe bone in it's place....hear what Jerry Hossom sair, "the cost of these knives would easily have doubled if they were made with mammoth ivory"....
I submit that, to a Collector, the value may well have also doubled, had the handles been mammoth Ivory....

 

[LRB]

If you want bone for a large knife, it's about the only way to go. I like the stuff.

 

[severtecher]

As a collector keep me out of the Anti-Giraffe camp. I have seen many, folders and fixed, with giraffe bone that are to die for. I have a knife like this on order from Mike Mooney but with the blue/ivory colored bone.

 

[Nowicki]

I got some nice giraffe bone I plan to use someday. Should make some nice stuff. I've never been one to follow the trends. Don't count me in the Anti-Giraffe bone thing either.

Larry

 

[Azis]

This thread is producing some nice photos

 

[birdog4]

giraffe bone is fiiiiiine stuff!

 

[Mark Williams]

I like it myself. Fun to work and is quite beautiful. Works well on a large knife.

 

[Will Power]

I like it for the simple reason that it does look like very high grade mammoth ivory at about 1/10th the price. The cost of these knives would easily have doubled if they were made with mammoth ivory.

I'd like to know how you tell the difference between mammoth and giraffe then? Lot of expensive knives offer mammoth but how can I be sure it's NOT giraffe?

 

[Jerry Hossom]

The Giraffe bone usually looks nicer...