Kurikata material?

[John C]

Hello:

I am trying to figure out what this kurikata is made out of. My guess is some type of Bakelite. Looks dark until light shines on it, then depending on the angle of the light different colors emerge. It's on a tanto probably from the early part of the 20th century. I have only come across references to buffalo horn and wood, though bakelite was used on some handles and tunic buttons on war stuff.

Thank you for taking a look,

John C.

[Ed Harbulak]

Although black buffalo horn is quite common for kurikata, I've also seen cow horn used for kurikata, nakago jiri and saya jiri. To me your kuikata looks like cow or oxen horn. I don't think I've ever seen Bakelite used on sword parts and certainly not on older mounts before Bakelite was invented.  

[Brian]

Agree with Ed. Even buffalo horn can be lighter in colour and slightly translucent sometimes. I expect it is some type of horn.

[John C]

Thank you all.

I'll try to find something similar in "bovine" on line for comparison.

John C.