Gav,
I'm sure members of this forum are more knowledgeable on this than I am. However the hoof handles I have seen have a more glutenous look and feel than the horn. Rhino, of course, has that strong defining fibrous structure.
If you have Tirri's book on African Weapons check figs 2-12 and 2-14. Fig 2-14 gives an actual size, side by side, comparison of rhino horn and giraffe hoof.
Tirri states the difference can be seen in colour and composition. The giraffe horn is a yellow/brown colour. Colour is difficult with rhino horn as I have seen variations from white/pale green, to yellow, to the usual brown and almost black. The two ends of the spectrum are quite rare and highly prized in the arabian area.
Steve
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