Are all-horn handles a good idea?

Pretty much as the title reads. Is this a bad idea?

I remember a talk I had a while back with one of my friends who makes handles and he said he'll never ever make an all horn handle, because it absolutely stinks. His words, not mine.

Anyway, all-horn handles, good or bad?

 

Well horn stinks when you sand it, I don't think he meant that it would not work.

 

I've had several knives with horn handles, and prefer the stag variation over polished horn for a better grip.

 

Thanks Rick.

I take it you don't find any sort of odour even after a long session?

 

No, none at all. I will mention that horn requires a bit more care as washing with soap and water can dry it out. Every so often I will put some lanolin on my hands and rub it into the handle, and then wipe off any excess.

 

Great, so by the sound of it, it's only the heat from the sander that could cause odour etc

 

Also I agree that stag looks much much better

 

Yes, and it smells like burning hair.

 

I have a wa handle with a horn body and a KOA ferrule. I love it. Believe it or not, the horn, even when polished mirror has pretty good grip. I perceive the grip as better than stabilized wood. There is no odor in daily use, however it does stink to sand.

Bad pic, but you get the idea:

Shines up like glass.

 

Photo not showing the photo again =/

 

How about now?

 

It's a good idea imo
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYaJwmTlfT5/

Of course natural materials always need to be looked after finish wise and properly maintained. No problems and they will last centuries with basic care. Consider natural movements in construction also. Like natural material jointed to metal (full tangs/spacers) will get ridges. A sunk spacer or ferruled wa-handles deals well with that.

 

Yup, works now.

That's actually really pretty, much more so than I imagine

 

I'm now sold on the idea

 

I vote yes because it is beautiful.