Sure this has been asked 100 times. Wood or Horn?

[wazzup]

I am ordering a WW2 model from GH and am wondering which is the better, more durable handle. I intend to use this knife a little and it does get cold here.

I assume that drastic temp changes will cause the horn to crack over time.

Thanks for advise

Wazzup

 

[Lt. Dan]

Wazzup, welcome to the forum. They both are good, and there is the potential for both to crack like any other organic material. But some Hooflex applied to horn before and during the dry seasons will take care of business. Folks do talk about horn cracks, but I've heard the experts say there isn't a whole lot of difference in frequency between the two.

My own personal bias favors rosewood. I like the way it feels when my hand gets sweaty, as it's a bit more absorbing in nature. But horn can be very beautiful and has a big following, too.

Also, you might know that cracks are from shrinkage and don't actually weaken the handles at all. I do like the way wood takes epoxy mixed with matching wood dust. And colored epoxy is also available or you can make your own. This horn vs wood thing seems to boil down to being a matter of personal taste.

Do visit often, and I hope this helps....Dan




[This message has been edited by Lt. Dan (edited 04-27-2001).]

 

[CD Fleischer]

They are both great materials. Personally, I prefer the feel of wood and the looks of horn. I do believe the horn is easier to fix if broken as the dark colour hides much...

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847

 

[Craig Gottlieb]

Horn is prettier, but wood is more sturdy. Neither handle will fly off the tang, though

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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[Mykl Clark]

I personally are a horn

kind of guy.

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Mykl
Once you start down the path of the sharp side forever will it dominate your destiny