Buffalo Horn question

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
1,679
Hi guys and Merry Christmas to all! I've been thinking about ordering either a GEC Conductor or a White Owl in Buffalo Horn. I don't know a darn thing about buffalo horn except that it sure looks purty to my eye! Are there any caveats to be aware of, or any special handling or care needed? I would think (hope) that it ages pretty well and looks better with the passage of time, but who knows?

Anyway, if you have any experience with or knowledge of buffalo horn I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Thanks!
 
I have no idea Keith, but I am interested also. GEC has been putting out some great looking knives with Buffalo Horn. I was thinking of a whittler with it because I like smooth grips for that :)
 
I own one knife in buffalo horn, and I've seen a few. Personally, I prefer smooth handles, and even if I grew up with ram's horn, I do prefer the darker and more intense color of buffalo horn. As for maintenance, my knife never needed anything. I have no clue about GEC's buffalo horn, but the material itself is, in my opinion, one of the best for a knife handle, along with ivory, pearl (depending on the color) and ebony.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Last edited:
richstag said:
Hi Fausto,

Does Buffalo Horn have a natural grip quality like Ivory? Thanks!
Click to expand...

The horn is really hair grown together....... :eek::)

It makes a nice knife handle.
Depending on were you live? Will effect how it does?
Drying out or swelling from too much humidity?

TA
 
Last edited:
I don't really have a good answer but I am awaiting a White Owl myself in Dusk Buffalo Horn.

I read on this forum that Buffalo Horn can shrink and delaminate over time. I also read here that these things won't, or shouldn't happen as long as the horn was properly cured. I am assuming that GEC properly cures the horn or maybe they buy it already cured but I really don't know for sure.
 
Railsplitter said:
I don't really have a good answer but I am awaiting a White Owl myself in Dusk Buffalo Horn.

I read on this forum that Buffalo Horn can shrink and delaminate over time. I also read here that these things won't, or shouldn't happen as long as the horn was properly cured. I am assuming that GEC properly cures the horn or maybe they buy it already cured but I really don't know for sure.
Click to expand...

Nothing will last for ever...... :rolleyes::)

TA
 
Thanks guys for the comments so far. I like smooth handles too, as I feel it brings a certain elegance to a knife. I just pulled the trigger on a White Owl with Dusk Buffalo Horn handles, clip main. I was kinda (a lot actually) leaning towards that one anyway, so you just pushed me over the edge my friends! ;) Thanks!
 
richstag said:
Thanks Todd. I will take that as plenty of grip. :)
Click to expand...

Depends on how it's finished?

I've done a few knives with that I put a good shine on the finish.

You know the old powder horns?
When you pick up the horn out of the field, it's got an out side rough surface?
You can take a piece of broken glass and scrape it - down the horn with the grain.
And put a polished glass like finish on it.... :):thumbup:

TA
 
Last edited:
Hey Keith and Kevin...


As Todd has mention as to how the horn is formed it provides a natural grip alot like ivory does, even with perspired hands the handle doesn't slip...as to how it holds up ...I have GEC buffalo horned handles from the first and every year of production and nary a complaint...but like any natural material shrinking and swelling can occur as Rick has pointed out.
As a personal experience with buffalo and ivory from the late 1800's and early 1900's I haven't noticed any issues and even with buffalo from the 1990's still going strong ...I think stored properly were the temperature is relatively consistent there shouldn't be a problem..mine are simple in their boxes or wrapped placed in a cabinet were the temp may vary from 59 degrees to 78 degrees depending on the season and with this 20 degree swing the only material that had a problem was a Mammoth tooth folder.
 
Railsplitter said:
I don't really have a good answer but I am awaiting a White Owl myself in Dusk Buffalo Horn.

I read on this forum that Buffalo Horn can shrink and delaminate over time. I also read here that these things won't, or shouldn't happen as long as the horn was properly cured. I am assuming that GEC properly cures the horn or maybe they buy it already cured but I really don't know for sure.
Click to expand...

Ya, that's what concerned me too, Rick. I guess I trust GEC as much as, or more than, any other manufacturer to get it right. Let's hope so!

Did you order a spear or clip main? I'm really excited to try out this pattern and handle material! :D

Thanks much Fausto, Todd, and Jim for your insight! :thumbup:
 
I have not handled a knife in horn (yet), but I have made a few powder horns. I just sand them smooth, then 000 steel wool, then rubb pure bees wax on them, melt with a hair dryer and buff with a soft cloth and they shine like glass! The powder horn I made for myself looks just like the day I made it well over 10 years ago. I also remember reading somewhere that horn can be made more stable by treetments simular to wood.
 
coyote711 said:
Ya, that's what concerned me too, Rick. I guess I trust GEC as much as, or more than, any other manufacturer to get it right. Let's hope so!

Did you order a spear or clip main? I'm really excited to try out this pattern and handle material! :D

Thanks much Fausto, Todd, and Jim for your insight! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Keith,
I ordered the clip main blade. Glad I did too because I placed my order before the pictures were released and I almost ordered the spear but changed my mind at the last second. Once I saw the pics, I was glad I changed my mind. Nothing wrong with the spear but I do like the clip better on this particular knife.
I was really hoping for "Red" instead of "Dusk" Buffalo Horn so I am very curious to see what the Dusk looks like. I'm pretty sure I will be happy with it.
 
Railsplitter said:
I was really hoping for "Red" instead of "Dusk" Buffalo Horn so I am very curious to see what the Dusk looks like. I'm pretty sure I will be happy with it.
Click to expand...

I thought I had seen some pics on the GEC website once of some "Red" Buffalo. I wonder if this "Dusk" is the same thing and they just changed what they're calling it, or if they have both red & dusk?
 
I recently picked up a GEC in polished buffalo horn. The scales look great, and they don't feel as slippery in the hand as smooth synthetics. My only minor complaint is that the scales feel like they've settled ever so slightly; you can just feel the edges of the bolsters and liners, and the rocker pin sticks up a RCH. There are absolutely no gaps anywhere, so it's probably more an issue with the final polish of this relatively soft material than any actual scale shrinkage. No big deal, but it is noticeable.

GECGeppetto01.jpg
 
coyote711 said:
I thought I had seen some pics on the GEC website once of some "Red" Buffalo. I wonder if this "Dusk" is the same thing and they just changed what they're calling it, or if they have both red & dusk?
Click to expand...

The red is a dye that doesn't go very deep. This batch of red buffed almost completely out by the time the knives were in finishing. Thus, they renamed them "dusk" as they were generally a little lighter and more chocolate colored than the pitch black.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top