Buffalo Jawbone Handle

[hopinjon]

A friend just gave me a buffalo jaw bone. Has any one out there made handles from one or know the anatomy of one;full or hiden tang? I would like to use a full tang blank. Any help is appreciated. Hop

[Ray Rogers]

I don't even know what a buffalo jawbone looks like so a picture might be useful. I have seen bear, coyote, and cougar jawbones used for knife handles. Due to their size (I suppose) they have all been used on stub tang knives. I imagine a buffalo jaw to be much larger but cutting one up for slabs sounds like a real challenge!

Generally, bones that are cut for slabs are very large diameter bones with thick walls. Otherwise, the slabs are either very narrow in width or you have to do something to fill a significant gap on the back side of the bone ....

[DAN VAN]

I have the same situation, a friend gave me 3 buffalo jaw bones. I promptly cut them up into what i think will be useable pieces for folder scales. A knife maker friend polished a sample, it has a nice creamy colored finish. I don't think there were large enough sections for a fixed blade. I'm planning to use some on a small folder soon.

Dan

[spaknives]

I have seen knives made by Ray Rantanen using the jaw bone of a coyote. I am am pretty sure they are hidden tang construction. He sells alot on ebay by the name of
blademaker_2000, but in the title of his auctions they alway Rantanen. Here his websight
www.raysknives.com I'm sure he wouldn't mind you asking questions. Thanks, Shane

[hopinjon]

Thanks everybody. I'll let you know how it goes.