How I came to appreciate the giraffe bone handle

[HTMD]

Wednesday,February 8,1995 I was awakened by movement out in the bush. The weather was overcast with thick fog obscuring the area around me. I was filled with wonder, here in Kenya's Masai Mara.

The disturbance in the bush moved closer. I sat still. Soon a group of 7 giraffe emerged, slowly working a hillside thirty yards away, reaching high into each tree, grazing on its tender leaves. I was mezmerized.

What most amazed me was their legs; long and thin but muscular and solid as well. These were the legs of a most unusual and fantastic creature. The giraffe appeared regal and aloof - unafraid as through the fog he momentarily gazed at me from on high.

That my knife is adorned with a giraffe bone handle gives it a place of honor in my collection. Those who denigrate giraffe bone as a handle material may know all about giraffe bone attributes and qualities... but I'm afraid they may not know the Giraffe.

 

[AfterTFD]

Looks great. I don't think I've ever seen damascus like that before.

Giraffes are some pretty tough bastids.

 

[cockroachfarm]

"...Those who denigrate giraffe bone as a handle material may know all about giraffe bone attributes and qualities... but I'm afraid they may not know the Giraffe.

What a wonderful comment. I agree 100%. I, too, admire giraffe bone when it is used to advantage (as should be any handle material). As always, I am a knife collector - not a knife snob.

Beautiful knife, btw.:thumbup:

 

[Kevin Jones]

Buddy, that's one of the most elaborate handles I have seen. I believe that's cable damascus which is one of my favorites. Beautiful knife.

Jerry Lairson makes a beautiful knife. He's an ex-boat builder as is John White.
Can't see the relationship between luxury boat building and building great knives, but evidently there must be one.

As I have stated before, I don't seek Giraffe bone but IMO it's very durable and can make a beautiful handle.

IMO Giraffe bone's demise can be associated with it being overused (as a result of it's relative low cost) in the past by makers on low quality knives and many times dyed in distasteful colors.

I completely understand Les's point that from an overall acceptance and investment/financial standpoint it could be one of the worst material choices one can make in designing a knife. And that's a shame in my opinion.

 

[2knife]

Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

 

[John M Cohea]

I met Mr Lairson at the Arkansaw show in 2000, and he is a very nice and humble gentleman, and makes a very nice knife as well. I've seen this one before in one of the Knives Annuals, and it is one of my favorites by him. His bowies are very nice as well!!

 

[2knife]

Is there any notable difference from Cow bone? ..is bone, bone?
David

 

[peterinct]

Great looking knife. I think the carving is well accentuated by the pins.

I have no objection to any bone as long as it isn't dyed unnatural colors.

Peter

 

[RogerP]

Great looking knife. I think the carving is well accentuated by the pins.

I have no objection to any bone as long as it isn't dyed unnatural colors.

Peter

Bone only comes in one colour, no? If it is dyed any colour, is that not unnatural? I don't love giraffe bone, and don't hate it. I definitely prefer when is is left a slightly dark, creamy colour. I don't think that those that prefer other handle materials are snobs - people like what they like. This is a beautiful knife. If I were ordering one, I'd ask for walrus. That's just my preference.

Roger

 

[B . Buxton]

Kevin you are 100% correct, that is cable damascus. I think its a beautiful knife. But when I look at it I don't just see the handle material, I see perfect execution in the pin placement, carving, fit & finish, grinds and overall shape and design which add up to a great deal of craftsmanship and talent.

Bill

 

[cockroachfarm]

Roger, you know that's not what I meant! (I won't use that phrase again, OK? )

I'm talking about the fanatical diatribes against giraffe bone of any color I have read on this forum - simply because it is giraffe bone.

 

[cockroachfarm]

"...investment/financial standpoint it could be one of the worst material choices one can make in designing a knife...."

I could probably agree with that, knowing now the absolute distaste some people have for giraffe bone for no other reason than it is giraffe bone I just don't relate to it because of all the knives I have bought over the years as a bona fide collector, none have been bought as an investment and only three have been resold. For investment purposes, I buy collectible Beanie Babies and Limited Edition Franklin Mint pocket knives.

 

[Don Hanson III]

IMO Giraffe bone's demise can be associated with it being overused (as a result of it's relative low cost) in the past by makers on low quality knives and many times dyed in distasteful colors.

This is pretty much what happened, best as I can tell but I'm not well educated in GB and probably shouldn't even comment. The word 'Giraffe' doesn't seem to fit in the knife world either

Nice knife, Buddy.

 

[betzner]

I wish I could share a particular image here, but it is too big to attach unfortunately. It is of a Colt 1911A1 .45 Government Model, engraved and nickel plated by the factory. It originally had the most beautiful ivory grips you ever saw.

About three years ago, Charles Turnage was doing a little something with giraffe bone and I found a pair of giraffe bone grips on Ebay. When I got them and replaced the ivory, I and everyone who has ever seen the combination was simply astounded. The matches of coloration between the giraffe bone and nickel were astonishing.

Anyway, there is MY giraffe bone story, albeit without the image. But why bother even putting any other image anywhere in this thread, what with that gorgeous carved piece. It is really over the top!!

 

[RogerP]

Roger, you know that's not what I meant! (I won't use that phrase again, OK? )

Absolutely Holger! At the end of the day custom knives are about fundamentally about choice. You pay your money and buy what you like for the reasons that are important to you. I don't consider myself answerable to anyone else for my knife purchases. And I sure don't consider anyone else answerable to me for theirs.

Roger

 

[Keith Montgomery]

My dislike of giraffe bone is based on my initial exposure to it. The first handles that I saw all were these horrible bright greens, blues and other gaudy colours. I have more recently seen giraffe bone handles that were very attractive.

 

[Les Robertson]

First,

Jerry makes a very good knife. That is a good looking knife. I hope that bolster is not Nickel Silver. LOL


Hi Kevin,

IMO Giraffe bone's demise can be associated with it being overused (as a result of it's relative low cost) in the past by makers on low quality knives and many times dyed in distasteful colors.

Exactly right.


Hi Roger,

Bone only comes in one colour, no?

Exactly Right.

Hi Holger,

My dislike for G-Bone is based on the fact it is bone. I would take a nice looking wood over a bone any time. The one exception I have is a handle I had put on a knife that was fossil Dino bone. Of course if it is truly a fossil...it is a stone.

Any way, my comments on G-Bone are based exclusively on it's perception and viability in the after market. All G-bone is dyed. G-bone handled knives with the blues, green, pinks, etc. Are a sure loser in the aftermarket.

This was seen before in the 90's with the "Wild Wood" soft wood that was infused with all kinds of colors. It was cheap and easy to work and makers loved it...so did collectors for about 3 years. Sound familiar???

If you love G-bone, great.

Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com

 

[the possum]

The gaudy colors it often gets dyed with turn me off- I say the same about brightly dyed cow bone used by Case for slipjoints, et al. And I think it's unfortunate that a whole class of materials gets negative associations because of that, rather than each individual piece being evaluated on its own merit.

Some other points I've heard, but not personally verified-

The stuff is supposed to be among the densest bones on earth, which makes sense considering how strong those bones must have to be to hold all that weight way up there. So it should be perfectly functional material...

I thought most of this stuff was collected up from animals that died long ago. I could swear I read one source that claimed some of it was as ancient as "fossil" mammoth ivory (which isn't stone, either). The surface cracking from such old pieces really gives it natural character in my mind. Take this Hossom piece for example-

While it may not be my first choice on a really high end knife, I would consider a piece like this an upgrade over many kinds of woods for something that might still realistically get used.

 

[enoreeriver]

I currently have this knife on hold. Any thoughts about the knife or the Gir. Bone? It is a Bennica integral and as I understand, it was featured in DDD's book.

 

[RogerP]

possum - I find GB to be at its most agreeable when it looks like that.

Roger