what is everyone's opinion on wood handles vs horn handles?

S

Snarlin Stef

Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
143
horn looks nicer... but it seems that wood actually gives more grip. also seems to me that if the wood handle is too big you can sand it down and refinish it yourself.

seems to me that horn would be good for show... but wood is better bcs it gives grip and can be modified (sanded down) to fit your hand (if its too big in the forst place)

whats yalls opinion on the matter?
 
Noted on the convention tape that Dr. Winborne liked wood for the better grip especially when the handle became greasy, perhaps with blood.
I would agree, I guess. The horn is naturally sliker. But either wood or horn is "warmer" feeling than the synthetic materials such as micarta in great use today on "tactical knives". That Kraton stuff on the CS kukris is ok I guess. Probably requires less care than natural materials but just doesn't feel near as good. I have repaired cracks and filled in separations with wood and horn. Recommend using some oil on the wood occasionally and Hooflex on the horn handles. Wood probably my fav.
 
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

If the khuk is right for you it makes no difference. You can tell if it's right for you if you pick it up and find you still have it in your hand 15 or 20 minutes later and still your hand doesn't want to let go of it. Just use your other hand to pay for it. Or transfer it to your left hand so you can hold the grip as you tuck the blade in a football carry between your forearm and chest while you write the check.

Steel rusts.
Horn cracks.
Wood chips.
Leather scabbards deteriorate.

You can prevent or minimize all of the above with proper care. If the khuk is abused or neglected, then rust can be removed, horn cracks can be filled and stopped from spreading, wood can be matched and replaced, leather can be restored.

An guy on one of the gun forums used to call stainless steel soul-less steel. You can have a knife made from stainless. You can handle it in micarta, carbon fiber, kraton, or other synthetics. You can have nylon or kydex sheathes made. But will it feel like a khukuri? I don't know, but I kind of doubt it.

Some things are just best done the traditional way. At least that's my opinion. When something's been done the same way for say, 300 years, ergonomics and blade design factors will have become part of what is passed on, regardless of the fact a master kami may be illiterate, as was his father.

Now off my soapbox ( til next time). :footinmou
 
If you live in a very humid climate, like a jungle environment, horn is a very nice material, as horn thrives in humidity. The whole reason the horn cracks is because it dries out, but in da jungle wid da mankeys horn is wonderful, and highly durable. However, if you are like many of us, and do not live in a jungle. But instead live in a dry, sometimes cold (cold leading to heaters leading to even drier) area, then horn needs slightly more maintenance. Though, wood will also possibly suffer cracking with extreme dryness. Anyways, another advantage of horn is that it loves to be used. The oils in you hand is actually very nutritious for horn, and helps it last longer. There is no better maintenance of horn than to use it on a daily basis. Anyways, since horn is porous, while it does seem like it should be slicker. I find that when your hand starts a sweating, the horn actually starts drinking up that sweat, saying thank you for feeding me.

Anyways, if you do live in a jungle environment, wood has the dis-advantage of suffering from potential mold/fungus. Ive seen many rotted out wood hilts, which is why horn is so popular in jungle areas, as it is more mold/fungus resistent in humid climates. But again, if youre like many of us, and do not live in da jungle, that shouldnt be a problem.

Anyways, I have a good split. 3 wood 4 horn Love em each individually. All have thier place. Like Rusty said, its something thats gonna vary more piece by piece, rather than something you can generalize. Though if you suffer from HIKV, horn wood there all good. :D
 
Must be about every four to six months someone conjures up Billy Tran in da jangle with da mankeys and his trusty lawnmower blade.:D :) :D

Sarge
 
I cant believe that Im the only one who signed up and joined the Billy Tran fan club.:eek: :p ;) :D
 
Who is Billy Tran? I did a search and all I got was some Vietnamese guy who designs web pages. :confused:
 
fer me, although my current inventory of HI stuff is 50% of each. Horn is as easy to work, shape, and carve as wood, and even easier to polish, does not require surface treatments other than some hooflex or oil now and again. It is easier for me to carve than wood, as it suffers less splitting if you mess up and push too hard.

Keith
 
I think the size and shape fitting your hand is a bigger factor than what it's made from.
 
And be prepared to change your preferences along the way too. I started out as a woodchuck, entranced by the beautiful, deep finishes that can be achieved with a little work. Then, being a lazy fellow with little work space to work on the wood handles, I converted to being a horndog. I just really like the black and steel look of the horn handles, preferably with steel/white metal/silver bolsters and buttcaps. My last 4-5 khuks have all been in horn, and probably 70% of my collection is horn right now. I will still consider wood handles on special deals or unique models, but if I'm getting one of the standard knives, I'll take it in horn.
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
I think Fed got it down to the basics. Horn is waterproof, wood isn't.
Click to expand...
Uncle Bill every day you amaze me. Here I make a long and rambling post, about horn versus wood. And in one sentence you so elquently make clear what I could only hint at in a number of paragraphs. :eek: :)
 
Originally posted by Federico
And in one sentence you so elquently make clear what I could only hint at in a number of paragraphs.
Click to expand...

If you could do that they'd call you Uncle Fed.
 
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