Warthog scales on an EDC?

[eduardomenduso]

I saw a small Arno Bernard fixed blade with warthog tusk handles that I really like the look and feel of. Is this handle material durable enough for an EDC knife or will it shatter or crack easily and is therefore more of a material for showcase items?

 

[The_Monkeyboy]

It is basically ivory. Or tooth enamel, depending on what you want to call it. It is fairly hard. But it can crack. Or chip, or shatter if you hit it hard enough. It can also become more brittle as it ages and dries out. But that takes a long time. If you can get the scales made out of the solid part of the tusk as opposed to the hollow base, you would probably do better. You might also look at hippo ivory, as it is also legal, isn't that expensive, and gives you a larger solid section to work with.

-Mb

 

[popedandy]

I have a small Arno Bernard with the warthog tusk handles. It seems plenty durable to me, but I don't beat on the handles, I just use the knife to cut.