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Fit & Finish Fit and Finish = the difference in "good art" and "fine art." Join in, as we discuss the fine art of finish and embellishment.

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  #1  
Old 07-25-2008, 11:28 PM
hopinjon hopinjon is offline
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Buffalo Jawbone Handle

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
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Old 07-26-2008, 08:09 AM
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mtnfolk mtnfolk is offline
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Jon,

In addition to knives, I also make accurate recreations of native weapons (war clubs, etc.)and handicraft (beading and quill work) so I do have a lot of experience with "buffalo parts". Here are couple of things to consider first...
Even though the jaw bone appears to be "totally" dry, I've found moisture in the thickest part of the jaw several years later. Next, from that "cheek area" in the rear towards the front it is extremely porous inside. It almost looks like crystalized honey inside and it feels somewhat sticky. There is only 1/8" to 1/4" of actual bone before you get to the "webbing" inside, i.e. the marrow. Cutting into this area creates a very unique "aroma"...ask me how I know. My wife is a card carrying member of the Chippewa nation and she still threatens my scalp if I cut it when she is around.
If you want to cut it to make scales for a full tang knife I think it's totally possible, I would use the outer portion of both parts of the jaw to get a matched pair...if you try to cut both pieces from only one side of the jaw you'll end up with a deep hollow from the inside section...and lastly, I would contact Mike at WSSI in Iowa to see about stabilization first. Knife makers are used to hiding the porous part of stag scales and even the hollows of mammoth ivory, but I'd still be concerned about shrinkage as it continues to dry.
Just my .08 cents (adjusted for inflation).

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Old 07-27-2008, 11:17 PM
hopinjon hopinjon is offline
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Buffalo Jaw Bone

Hey Wayne, thanks for the tips. We are almost neighbors. I live near Cherry Creek Res, South of Denver. I'll look for you you at the show next month. I only have one jaw. Will that make it harder to get a good pair of scales? Do you have an email address for Mike at WSSI in Iowa? I would like to know about stabilization. Thanks, Hop


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Old 07-28-2008, 08:45 PM
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mtnfolk mtnfolk is offline
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Jon,

Yep, only about 40 miles! I will have a table at the PKA show in Denver next month so be sure to stop by.
Go to the WSSI website at http://www.stabilizedwood.com/wssi.shtml and you can get all the info you need on stabilization. I've used Mike for some Ancient Kauri wood and it came back amazing.

Take care and see you at the show.

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