How I came to appreciate the giraffe bone handle

[blad5]

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....

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.

I agree, but would also add that there is also the risk that two scales will not take dye uniformly. My first use came out similarly to the Hossum piece and I liked it a lot. My second was a complete disaster that caused me to replace the handle material.

Paul

 

[peterinct]

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

Perhaps I should have said hideous instead of unnatural. There are many shades of undyed bone actually. Various shades of off white, beige, tan etc.

The knife Possum posted is some nice looking GB.

In some types of knives wood is rated less desirable than bone.

I care more if the handle is attractive than what it is composed of.

But that is just me I guess

Peter

 

[ddd]

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.

Yes, this knife by Carles Bennica was made from bars of Conny Persson
Damascus and has stabilized giraffe bone handles.
The picture you posted does not do justice to the beautiful Damascus....

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[Kevin Jones]

Good Giraffe bone shaded correctly can pass as ivory to the unsuspecting eye however is more stable. If someone told you the Hossom was ivory would you question them form the photo? I wouldn't. I would hope I could tell the difference in hand.

Got to wonder? Are there knives that have been represented as ivory that are actually Giraffe bone?

 

[Jon Brand]

Got to wonder? Are there knives that have been represented as ivory that are actually Giraffe bone?

Got to wonder, is Don Hanson actually dying his ivory?

 

[hardheart]

I wish I could share a particular image here, but it is too big to attach unfortunately.

upload to another photo hosting site, many can automatically resize the image.

 

[cockroachfarm]

Don't love it, don't hate it. I'm just amazed at the depth of feeling such a simple piece of natural material has generated. I've seen some excellent use of the bone if left close to it's 'natural' (dead?) appearance. Even a couple of discreet dye jobs (I have a Rusnak art knife that called for...never mind ) Too bad those garish dye jobs have created such retina-burning visual memories for most people when they hear the words "GB" that their minds simply snap shut. However, Les' reasons for disliking GB are entirely rational - how can anyone who has ever run a retail business disagree with them?

In the end, as Keith said, it's just 'bone'. But I am open-minded enough to appreciate what some makers can do with such 'garbage' material. I can appreciate giraffe bone for it being giraffe bone - not for it being used instead of mastadon ivory, or stag, or MOP, or whatever.

(FWIW, I remember, as a very young boy walking through the Black Forest with my uncle and collecting stag casts that you folks would have shed tears over - and piling them up as garbage!)

 

[RWS]

That's a very good looking knife, Doc.....deserving of the honor you've given it, no doubt.

 

[Michael Lovett]

It's a beautiful Knife! Very nice work!

 

[jaislandboy]

beautiful knife :thumbup:
I'm not a bone fan ( I prefer wood or micarta presently) but in the same way I prefer dense, hard woods (w/high Janka scores), I've been wanting to "sample" some giraffe bone eventually.... probably when the Spyderco Kopa comes out

 

[Marcel54]

Okay people...I have one knife with GB handle. Here it is a Cinquedea made by Kevin Harvey MS. I bought it not only for the handle but also for the whole package. The pic doesn't do the handle justice by the way.

Marcel

 

[RogerP]

Kevin Harvey is one talented maker (and so is his wife, Heather). That is a striking piece. Was the engraving done by Kevin as well?

Roger

 

[Marcel54]

Kevin Harvey is one talented maker (and so is his wife, Heather). That is a striking piece. Was the engraving done by Kevin as well?

Yes Roger...this is asole authorship piece by Kevin...he did everything himself.:thumbup:

And yes Heather is very talented as well. I have a dagger that they did as a couple (they use the name Heavin for thes pieces) for which Heather did the damascus:thumbup:

Marcel

 

[Megalobyte]

The fact is there are certain knives where bone just works and goes with the knife, Daniel Winkler pretty often uses bone for his knives as it seems to go with his rustic/primitive look, and I bet he sells them all and quickly. I do agree though, in general, on a high-end knife, I'd prefer ivory given the choice just because of a perceived value thing, not neccessarily rational.