Are Hippo teeth strong and do they last or crack with age?
I might have a custom knife made up and not sure if this would make a good handle.

this style of knife.

ozhunter,

What a coincidence, I just picked up my new hunting knife that was hand made by Ras Venter. I'm very happy with it.

Swedish steel 12c 27 @ between 58 - 60 RC.
The bolster is plain stainless 303 and the handle made from Giraffe bone.

Total length of knife 24cm.







Anyway coming back to hippo teeth as a knife handle he told me that it is very difficult to work with it as it shatters when being worked on not just breaking or cracking. A hard knock or fall on hard surfaces could damgae it very quickly. You can use it as a handle but more of a showpiece knife than a working knife.

I made several knives from Giraffe bone. Super dense and strong material. Stunk like hell grinding it... almost caused a divorce.

Adam,
I've also heard hippo ivory is prone to cracking but yield to others, especially with knife making experience, on this board.