Question about using buffalo horn

[designed2fail]

Hello first off thank you for adding me.

I am planning on using buffalo horn for a ferrule for a knife I am about to make and have never actually used it. Now will the sides with ever be as polished as the face? I test cut a sliver off to see how well it can be machined and that left a pretty reasonable face to start with, as shown in the pictures.

I read slow and steady wins the race with horn as heat will warp it. I have no qualms with hand sanding as I am going to be doing a Kijiro Urushi lacquer finish on the wood part of the handle and saya(sheath)

Now should I leave the back a bit rough or smoother the better when epoxying it to the wood components? If possible I am going to hollow it out with a down cut spiral router bit so I can make a cap for the ferrule and opening for the sheath.

also if this is the wrong section I apologize in advance. Any and all info will be very much appreciated. I thank you for your time

https://imgur.com/5ZcsMxi
https://imgur.com/Rp1JRjS
https://imgur.com/AE2crkh

[Ray Rogers]

Slow and steady AND fresh, sharp belts if you use your belt grinder. If you smell burning hair your belt is too fast or you're using too much pressure.

Buffalo horn seems to polish just fine on all sides and face but leaving it a little rough where epoxy will be applied seems a good idea . . .

[M&J]

Welcome!

As Ray mentions. Slow is preferred as horn is soft so going slower gives you time to work it. When I epoxy surfaces up I tend to leave them at a 100 grit finish. Buffalo horn polishes nicely and a light touch on the buffer is sufficient as it is fairly soft.

With a dark horn or similar dark materials adding in a black colorant to approximate the handle color helps fill any unintentional voids. This results in a near matching color to appear seamless.

[TexasJack]

Be sure to open a window or otherwise have lots of fresh air. Buffalo horn smells like 10,000 buffaloes just took a dump in the room. It even smells when you hand sand it.

[Crex]

Heat and humidity are it's mortal enemies and side pressure is their friend. Make sure there is no tension or pressure against the grain or it will eventually split or crack. Stuff moves constantly since it is just compressed hair so joints rarely stay smooth and clean over time.
Don't get me wrong I like it and use it quite a bit, but mostly for spacers these days. Good luck with it.