The handles of some Mikova knives are made from the horns of the water buffalo (Latin: Bubalus bubalis). It is a majestic creature native to South Asia. In some Asian cultures, it remains a symbol of strength and prosperity to this day. This is one reason why it is often seen in various rituals and celebrations.
Overall, the water buffalo is a useful animal in many ways. Thanks to its strength and ability to work in water, it serves as a draft animal in rice paddies. Buffalo milk is richer in fat and protein than cow’s milk. It is used to make many traditional dairy products, including the famous mozzarella di bufala. And, of course, it is also raised as a livestock animal for slaughter.
And it is precisely the slaughterhouses that are the main source of buffalo horn. In Japan and China, buffalo horn has been prized for its beautiful texture and luster for many centuries. It didn’t reach Europe until the Middle Ages, and since then it has been very popular not only for making knife handles but also for other decorative items.
The horn that Mikov uses for its knives must, of course, be treated and stabilized. It’s a similar impregnation process to the one used for bones. We’ve described this process hereon our blog . Horn treated in this way not only looks great but also has excellent mechanical properties.
Mikov uses water buffalo horn handles primarily on its Fixir, Hablock, and Leshunting knives , as well as on the Taiga and Jelenářská hunting daggers . It’s also very popular on Mikov’s most popular knife— the Predator.
If you’re wondering whether to choose a handle made of stabilized bone or horn for your knife—each material has its pros and cons. Mikov uses both materials, and both are visually interesting thanks to their texture. Hornhorn has a higher luster and is slightly lighter. However, compared to bone, it is more sensitive to high temperatures.