Definitive Test for Rhino Horn Please

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

It should burn in the same that your fingernail cuttings burn.
Just realised all? horn is keratin. ]

Yep all horn contains keratin Tim, when burnt or if had boiling water poured over it most buffalo horn smells like an old farmyard full of manure & burnt hair. The same is true of rhino.


Thats a great picture Katana, shows the "orange peel" end grain structure well.



Sadley the fiberous side structure appearance is found on many horns that arnt rhino. I find one has to find where the grain runs out to get a true identyfying piece. But as Rhino is solid it never needs a buttcap on the handle anyway.

It would be great to find a quick & reliable test!

Spiral