Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Some new finds in the last month, African

katana · 22nd December 2009, 06:40 PM

Warren
I do not think this is Rhino horn, but wood. What makes the handle look unusual is the grain direction....normally the grain is 'run' lengthways from pommel to blade, yours seems to run across. This assumption is made on the pictures....to conclusively ID use the 'hot pin' method ....if you get a smell of burning hair it is almost certainly Rhino.

Regards David

22nd December 2009, 06:40 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Warren I do not think this is Rhino horn, but wood. What makes the handle look unusual is the grain direction....normally the grain is 'run' lengthways from pommel to blade, yours seems to run across. This assumption is made on the pictures....to conclusively ID use the 'hot pin' method ....if you get a smell of burning hair it is almost certainly Rhino. Regards David