[J.G. Grubbs]

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to post this so I am giving it a shot here

I wondered if anyone has had any experience/opinion on the use of musk ox horn for a sword grip? I know it is used from time to time in knife manufacture and is fairly rare( I've still unable to find a source of it! LOL!) , but I love the look of it. I wondered if it would have the appropriate level of shock resistance?

Many Thanks,

James

[Mark Moore]

I know that horn grips were used alot in the 17th and 18th centuries on hangers and sabers. I guess it just depends on what type sword you are wanting and what you plan to do with it. I see the main concern being to very carefully inspect the horn for hairline cracks and use only the thickest, most solid part. Even a small hairline crack would tend to worsen if you used the sword for anything more than light cutting. But, for a showpiece, it would look great...no doubt. I've personally never heard of musk-ox horn being used on a sword, but that's not to say it hasn't. As far as a supplier would go....I would check aruond some websites from the "Dark Continent"....Africa. Hope this helps.MM