An antique Thai enep

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Sorry, I missed this thread a year ago.

Could it be that the handle is from rhino horn?

I don't think so; however, we need a close-up of the end grain, i. e. the tip of the pommel, to verify.

Regards,
Kai

[CharlesS]

Nice job Detlef! Nothing's more fun than bringing a worn, neglected piece back to life, and you have done it well!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Nice job Detlef! Nothing's more fun than bringing a worn, neglected piece back to life, and you have done it well!

Thank you Charles and I agree complete with you! A great fun is it to see that I was correct to buy this knife because I've known about the outcome.

What's crazy, the blade is worked from a very good steel, there are no deep pittings left from the hard corrosion and that the blade is still extreme sharp after the cleaning.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

I don't think so; however, we need a close-up of the end grain, i. e. the tip of the pommel, to verify.

Hello Kai,

I am not sure as well, it's difficult stuff, every rhino horn I've handled has had a different look. A close up of the handle top isn't helpful since it's cone-shaped and glossy patinated.

Regards,
Detlef

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

I am not sure as well, it's difficult stuff, every rhino horn I've handled has had a different look.

Color, translucency, feel, and surface texture vary a lot with rhino (and age and storage conditions of the pieces). Only the microstructure can be relied on.

A close up of the handle top isn't helpful since it's cone-shaped and glossy patinated.

One very rarely has a nicely orthogonal cut of the end grain; usually we can deal with it though. Just give it a try...

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Just give it a try...

Hello Kai,

I've tried my best by the light we have at the moment in Germany!

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Nobody have an opinion about the handle material? Kai???

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Sorry, forgot to answer!

Is this the highest magnification you can get? A vertical shot with the brass nut in the middle and focus on the end of the horn pommel would be best.

From the current pics, I'm still leaning towards water buffalo. I can't make out any features of rhino; however, I also don't see any certain signs for water buffalo yet.

Regards,
Kai

[Ian]

Hi Detlef:

Looks like water buffalo to me. The "plates" or layers of horn are evident in your most recent pics. Very nice.

Ian

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

A vertical shot with the brass nut in the middle and focus on the end of the horn pommel would be best.

This is the best I can do by the light we have in Germany in the moment.