How does Buffalo horn hold up?

B

Brian.Evans

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I'm considering the GEC white owl heavily for EDC along with my peanut. This is going to be a true EDC, a one knife kind of deal. As such, how will buffalo horn hold up over time? I'm guessing not well?
I've thought about ebony, because it's a very traditional material, but it really doesn't get me going. Buffalo horn is really my second or third choice, but see the next paragraph........

I'd really like a stag or a bone, but I just can't get over the stupid bail. Why would they make it mandatory for UN-X-LD knives to have a bail?! Arrgh!!
 
My only experience has been with water buffalo horn. Not good at all for EDC I have to say.
Best..
 
I had/have similar concerns about horn based on some posts on this forum. Ultimately, I have to trust capitalism. GEC, Case, and many other companies use buffalo horn, and these companies have lifetime warranties on their knives. I don't think any business with a lifetime guarantee would use a handle material that they knew would not hold up under normal wear and tear. The cost of re-scaling all those knives over the years would be enormous.

Just my thoughts.
 
I've got several khukris with horn handles. I've used my favorite for limbing trees, brush clearance, and splitting wood. The handle has been soaked several times, and the only maintenance I've done is the occasional wipe down with mineral oil. As far as I can tell, the handle is as solid as the day I got it. I don't imagine the scales on most slipjoints undergo anywhere near that level of stress, so for my money, buffalo horn is pretty darn tough.
 
It holds up exceptional well. However like all natural materials it can be subject to shrinking. An application of hoof dressing from the farm store prevents that. Mostly only a problem in very dry areas.
 
Hi guys!

I´m also planing getting a GEC in horn. So I´m also pretty interessted in this question.

As much as I know about horn is that there´s more danger in getting deep scratches in the material because it´s softer than stag, bone or wood. (That´s because of its natural constitution. Stag is gonna be lost by the animals, while horn grows with the animal like at cows. Deer loses its stag after some period.)
Shrinking could also cause of this.

Nevertheless - many european nations (Italy, Spain, Germany etc) used this material in the past for their knife handles. So I think, it will hold up for some while. Because it´s rather soft, I think it wouldn´t break as easy as a bone scale (for example).

Kind regards
Andi
 
The reliability of any natural material depends upon the knowledge and ability and dedication of the maker.
 
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It is wearing some but I like it. No splintering just wear. Hope it isn't too late.
 
Nope, not too late. I'm still trying to decide on a handle material. It's between buff horn or jigged bone.
 
got a 501 on order from the Buck Custom Knife Shoppe in jigged Asian water buffalo horn. Can't wait for it to arrive, and can't wait for it to start developing character in my pocket! :D
 
it turns very grippy when wet with blood (not just human blood, talk about skinning and butchering.) in fact, if you cut yourself, press the wound against the horn. it will stanch the bleeding fast.
 
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