using water buffalo

ScottRoush

ScottRoush

Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
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A friend of mine working in Thailand just sent me a huge box of domestic water buffalo. Big, black, rough cut pieces. Just looking for info on how long to season this stuff.. and there are any issues with shrinkage. Also.. I don't usually see too much of it being used with the natural texure in place... any reason? Looks like Big Horn to me...
 
I have bought and used buffalo before....not really something I like to use because I had alot of shrinking issues with it...just make sure you keep it from getting hot...work with files and hand sanding might help with some of the shrinking...
 
I love the stuff! It's Black, shiny, easy to work, and takes an easy shine. Id let it get atleast 3-6 months in your place before working it. as stated above it will move like a migrant. But I've yet to have one crack, if you rub a little neatsfoot, oil, (or heck just some of your wifes good hand lotion) on it every once in a while, dry off the steel and your good to go.

Jason
 
I've never really had shrinkage issues with it, but pretty much all of mine is a couple years old, some closer to 10. It will shrink and expand like all natural materials though. I've never had cracking problems with it. Just use new sharp belts and don't get it hot. Storing the raw horn with moth balls seams to help as well as far as the beetles go, and after it's on the knife keep it waxed and the beetles seem to leave it alone.

It's my favorite handle material, it's warm and comfortable in cold weather, polishes up like glass yet is still grippy when wet. And of the natural materials its very tough.
 
I agree with Will and would add; look the section of horn over closely before you start. There are white strands of hair and other imperfections that will be visible when the handle is finished. Taking care to position the horn to show the most beautiful areas will pay off in the final product.

Fred
 
Being into Asian knives, I love the stuff! An added use for buffalo horn is when powdered, it can be used to stop bleeding--great in a survival situation.
 
Thanks a lot folks. I just emailed my friend to ask about how old it actually is and when it was cut.

And thanks for the heads up on preserving it from dermestids. I have a ton of this stuff and it will be sitting around for some time. I should look all of em over.. they've been on a ship coming from Thailand for months!

So does anybody use the natural ridged external surface? All the knives I see are ground below that and polished. I'd like to take advantage of the natural features for grip on a big chopper I'm making right now....
 
I never have, but then I've never managed to get large raw pieces. I say if you can figure out how to cut it go for it. And post pics! Good luck.
 
The surface is drab, and ugly. That's why it's not often used.
 
I love the "Bark" of a horn. Heres my one and only buffalo horn bark knife. It was a Christmas K.I.T.H. giveaway, now in the hands of Mr. Matt Bailey :D

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13838_218074475241_625615241_4073307_535223_n.jpg


Jason
 
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