Stabilize water buffalo horn

singularity35

singularity35

Joined
Mar 1, 2010
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Hey guys, is there an easy way or a standard way to stabilize water buffalo horn to be used as scales? Thanks.
 
A Phillipino co worker of mine brought back a couple of horns (water buffalo, domestic). He called one of his buddies back home and had them get the horns then I think he just put them out in the field for a couple of months (summer) to let the insects deflesh it and the summer heat to dry it out. I forgot what area he is from, but he grew up out in the country and worked his family rice fields.

It doesn't smell very nice when you work it, but once sanded and buffed it looks really nice. I made a one or two knife handles with it, but do not know how they are holding up since they were given away as gifts.

Good luck with those horns.

On another note, have you tried drying some guava wood? My friend said that it is one of the harder woods he came across back home.

Ric
 
Phydeaux said:
A Phillipino co worker of mine brought back a couple of horns (water buffalo, domestic). He called one of his buddies back home and had them get the horns then I think he just put them out in the field for a couple of months (summer) to let the insects deflesh it and the summer heat to dry it out. I forgot what area he is from, but he grew up out in the country and worked his family rice fields.

It doesn't smell very nice when you work it, but once sanded and buffed it looks really nice. I made a one or two knife handles with it, but do not know how they are holding up since they were given away as gifts.

Good luck with those horns.

On another note, have you tried drying some guava wood? My friend said that it is one of the harder woods he came across back home.

Ric
Click to expand...

Yeh, insects do deflesh water buff horns but there's one kind of beetle that eats holes in the horns if you don't watch them. I had a few bolos with guava wood before, but I have just one blade with guava wood now(pinuti). I like water buff horns for scales because they are quite grippy even when smooth and wet. I also like the way they look. The scales on the one below are from an albino water buffalo. The horns are sometimes chippy or warp, that's why I was asking if they could be stabilized.

polishedkephart521002.jpg
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FYI, I was told by a reputable source that water buffalo horn can be stabilized. I know of at least one full time maker who has his stabilized. I have a few sets that I was planning on sending in to get professionally stabilized. Not sure of a good way to do it at home though.
 
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