How Tough Is Cowbone?

[JK Knives]

I`ve found some nice looking cowbone scales, thick enough for friction folder handles. Just wondering how tough it is.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I wanna tell ya something smart like it's setting enough to support a cow... Ba dum bump but I won't, I know it's pretty wear resistant, my dog can eat most bone but cow shin bone lasts forever I've got bones from the dog that he's been chewing on for over a year on a regular basis.

I got nothing scientific, just observations of how tough the bone is. One thing I do notice though in really cold weather is very brittle but that might be all bone, I don't know.

 

[mete]

I did come across this - a deer's shin bone is seven times tougher than a cows.They do jump around more .Bones are not nearly as brittle while still live !Q

 

[mykel m]

Kick a cow in the shin and find out.


Tough enough for knife handles for the past couple of centuries at least.
I wouldn't put it on a hard use knife that's going to be beat on, but something like a friction folder or a B&T that aren't 'by design' made to be used hard should be fine.
Consider adding a thin liner of SS,Ti, or Brass to strengthen 'em if you do the FF. (and I hope you do)
That billet we talked about would be a great match for some nice jigged bone.:thumbup: