Hi, Bill. What I am saying is that "core" (I call it core for lack of a better term) is dark gray. It is also more compact and much harder that the rest of the horn that tend to turn amber/yellow and is certainly softer. It appears to be dusty gray in nature but polishes out to the above mentioned colour.
Hi, Spiral. You are telling me something new. I have CLOSELY examined well in excess of 60 sword. Some are more "yellow" that others. However, in all cases of reddish/brown handles, I can assure you that the horn had been dyed. Are there some naturally red/brown horns? I really don't know. I haven't seen any so far. So, please, tell me which other natural colours are there. I can also say that the horn, being made up of organic matter, is subject to deterioration and decay with noticible changes in its apperance. By the way, you guys won't probably like this (.....) but I have started treating my Ethiopian swords' handles with lanolin......
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