Rhino horn for knife handle

J

J.D.

Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
342
I was ask if I could make a knife for a guy and use a piece of black Rhino Horn for the handle. He has the horn that someone in his family got back in the 1930s. Does anyone know if this would be legal to do? If so, how well would the horn work for a handle? He said it was cut into disc about 1 inch thick. Any help would be appreciated very much. Thanks in advance!
 
A quick Google search showed that their is an international ban on trade in Black Rhino horn. I did not see any specific information about the legality of pre-ban horn in the United States.

I can't put my finger on exactly why, my gut tells me that it's a bad idea to get involved in with rhino horn. I trust my gut, so I would recommend that you not use the horn. Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.
 
thre's no trade here. it's just a job contract. but yes, the realpolitiks of it says you should not.
 
Thanks Guys for your 2 cents, that was my first thought on this also, and your comments just confirm my own gut feeling not to do this knife with the Rhino horn. Thanks for your input Chris Meyer and hank rearden
 
Rhino horn apparently makes a great handle materiel. Most people think that all of the poached rhino horns goes into making ancient Chinese holistic Viagra, but that is not true. In places like Yemen, some of the most prized (and pricey) jambiya's have traditionally had rhino horn handles. If the stuff is that old, then it will probably be treated in the same way as elephant ivory, walrus and narwhal tusk, whale teeth, bone and balleen, etc. . It it's old pre-ban materiel, you can use it and even sell it, but only within the US. You wouldn't be able to send it overseas. If the guy wants his chunk of old musty rhino horn on his knife, do it. Just warn him that it may fall apart and if it does, he gets good old fashioned water buff horn:thumbup:
 
Thanks jdm61 for the info. not sure if I will do the knife with his horn or suggest water buffalo horn. Thanks again.
 
Rhino horn is apparently a solid clump of hair. Do not know if this is also true with cow and buffalo horns.

If the rhino has been cut into a disc, then it would be across the grain. Not sure how durable it would be then, it may just split along the grain.
 
My feeling is that I would not want my name on anything that is that politically incorrect. I have Elephant Ivory handle on a dagger using old old ivory, pre ban. However the onus is on you to prove preban acquisition.
 
George Trumper, a very old and respected high end mens barber and purveyor of shaving and grooming goods and fragrances in London, just got fined 10,000 pounds for selling some ivory handled shaving brushes. i have dealt with these folks and am sure that they probably thought it was pre-ban, but the Brits and the rert of the EU are kinda screwy these days. I don't think that you as an idividual knifemaker will have that problem, but I would get a note from the buyer stating the source of the horn. As for PC.......ALL custom knives are non-PC unless you are making kitchen knives only......and even then, someone outthere will thing you a a nut for not just going to Williams-Sonoma and picking up a set of Henckels:D
 
If you can document the age, no problem. I would think of stabalizing it first just as a precaution. Elephant Ivory is also hair. Mike
 
mlovett said:
Elephant Ivory is also hair
Click to expand...
not quite..........FWIW..........
Ivory (elephant, walrus, etc. - the part we use anyway is made up of dentine - the same as any other mammalian tooth........

All horn (cow, water buffalo, rhino, etc.) is made up of compacted/compressed hair........

Antler (deer, elk, Sambar, etc.) is a form of bone.......
 
Tim-Gabz said:
My feeling is that I would not want my name on anything that is that politically incorrect. I have Elephant Ivory handle on a dagger using old old ivory, pre ban. ....
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, which is more politically incorrect, the ivory or the dagger?
Put 'em both together and you're really making friends.

I think the only truly PC knife is a Swill Army.
 
Lets get REAL non-PC. How about an out the front double-edged automatic made toally from titanium so that metal detectors can't pick it up with black rhino horn scales and an elephant ivory escutcheon inlay. Then we can have Kenny Rowe make a pouch out of baby seal skin with American crocodile skin trim and shine the whole thing up with whale oil. :p And then sell it at auction to raise money for PETA......:eek:
 
Wild Rose said:
not quite..........FWIW..........
Ivory (elephant, walrus, etc. - the part we use anyway is made up of dentine - the same as any other mammalian tooth........

All horn (cow, water buffalo, rhino, etc.) is made up of compacted/compressed hair........

Antler (deer, elk, Sambar, etc.) is a form of bone.......
Click to expand...
Really!!!! I didn't know that???
:confused: :confused: ;) :D :D HEHEHEHE!!!
I glad you corrected that statement.:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
Rhino horn is worth a lot of money not as much as gold weight for weight maybe but a lot nevertheless.

If you keep all the bits that come off when you work it, it might be worth a bit.
 
indian george said:
Really!!!! I didn't know that???
:confused: :confused: ;) :D :D HEHEHEHE!!!
I glad you corrected that statement.:thumbup: :thumbup:
Click to expand...

The second knife I made had water buffalo horn scales.Grinding that stuff stinks like......well burnt hair :eek:
As of sunrise today it's rifle season here in NY maybe I can shoot me some handles and dinner :D
 
valimas said:
The second knife I made had water buffalo horn scales.Grinding that stuff stinks like......well burnt hair :eek:
Click to expand...

Bet you it's still better than Kudu horn. Only thing in the world I've ever found that stinks like wet dog and old feet.... :barf:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top