From prehistoric times to the present day, the tradition of using animal materials, such as bones, tusks and antlers is well established. There are even examples of people carving ivory in Babylon as early as 2300BC. If you were a boy scout you probably owned a hunting knife, with a bone, or antler handle, which you took on camping trips.
Red Deer Antler
Whether horn, bone, shell or ivory was used depended upon tradition, as well as appearance. However, it always seemed natural to take a roughly furrowed stag handle hunting knife on a hunting trip rather than a knife with a plain wooden handle.
Horns
Other materials such as elephant ivory and even mammoth ivory with it's rich brown, blue and red hues have been used for knife handles. However, ivory is a smooth solid material and is more often used for carving and engraving intricate shapes.
Another material used for knife handles is shell which has a wonderful iridescent finish and like ivory has been used as a more decorative rather than practical alternative. However, the natural angular shape of many antlers and horns makes them ideal for making knife handles.
The texture of antlers and horn materials also helps improve grip strength, which on a hunting trip is essential. Many horns, bones, and ivories become tacky when wet and so improve the grip when used.
The natural angular texture and variation in colour make antlers and horn handles visually appealing and provide a stunning contrast with a smooth polished steel blade.
Along with elephant and mammoth ivory, mastodon ivory, fossil walrus tusk and oosic are also sought after knife handle materials, including some types of shells, coral and pearl materials.
Many of these materials however, are rare and expensive and of course increase the value of the knife dramatically. They are highly sought after but regardless, there use is a moral and environmental question that should be addressed.
Elephant ivory is undoubtedly a limited resource and much of the stock available today has been obtained illegally. As the elephant is now an endangered species, it is extremely important to avoid using ivory for any purpose and source alternative materials, such as antler and horn from sustainable and managed stocks.
Another material used for knife handles is shell which has a wonderful iridescent finish and like ivory has been used as a more decorative rather than practical alternative. However, the natural angular shape of many antlers and horns makes them ideal for making knife handles.
The texture of antlers and horn materials also helps improve grip strength, which on a hunting trip is essential. Many horns, bones, and ivories become tacky when wet and so improve the grip when used.
The natural angular texture and variation in colour make antlers and horn handles visually appealing and provide a stunning contrast with a smooth polished steel blade.
Along with elephant and mammoth ivory, mastodon ivory, fossil walrus tusk and oosic are also sought after knife handle materials, including some types of shells, coral and pearl materials.
Many of these materials however, are rare and expensive and of course increase the value of the knife dramatically. They are highly sought after but regardless, there use is a moral and environmental question that should be addressed.
Elephant ivory is undoubtedly a limited resource and much of the stock available today has been obtained illegally. As the elephant is now an endangered species, it is extremely important to avoid using ivory for any purpose and source alternative materials, such as antler and horn from sustainable and managed stocks.
Polmac 3-Piece Dinner Set For: Abbeyhorn Ltd
Polmac (UK) Ltd supplies wood presentation boxes and packaging, including boxes for knives and forks with antler, or horn handles. They are custom made to order which means they are manufactured to your exact requirements, at no extra cost.
Polmac customized wood boxes are supplied with clear lacquer finishes, to highlight the natural warmth and beauty of wood and with stunning natural wood and colour stain finishes. They are also supplied with beautiful flock or silk fabric internal linings on moulded inserts, if a more luxuriant finish if required.
Polmac custom made wooden boxes can be supplied with printed text and logos, using metallic foil blocking, laser engraving and silk screen printing techniques, for a more personalized finish and are designed to boost company branding and bottom-line sales!
Polmac customized wood boxes are supplied with clear lacquer finishes, to highlight the natural warmth and beauty of wood and with stunning natural wood and colour stain finishes. They are also supplied with beautiful flock or silk fabric internal linings on moulded inserts, if a more luxuriant finish if required.
Polmac custom made wooden boxes can be supplied with printed text and logos, using metallic foil blocking, laser engraving and silk screen printing techniques, for a more personalized finish and are designed to boost company branding and bottom-line sales!
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