Horn Buttons

 The Horns used by James Grove and Sons Ltd. are sourced from Asia. They come from Buffalo and Ox, each yielding their own unique colours and configurations. The Horns are hollow from the base upwards until aproximately two inches from the tip. The first job, when preparing them for button manufacture, is to cut off the tip where the hollow ends, using circular or band saws. From the tip, slices are cut, which are used to either make irregular shaped buttons,

 or for blanks to be diced out for the making of conventional shapes.

The remainder of the tip is then used for making toggles. The hollows are cut open lengthways, and pressed flat in an hydraulic press, and it is from these "flats" that the discs are cut. All of these operations are done by hand. The shape of the finished button and the drilling is then determined by an automated process. The final finish of the buttons (matt, polished, dead centre, polished rim, etc.) is produced by various barrel finishing operations, using compounds specially developed for the purpose. 

In all cases, irrespective of the raw material used, stringent quality control checks are made during manufacture, and again at the final inspection stage, where buttons are sorted and packed. The sorting operation on Real Horn buttons is of particular importance, as there is a degree of variation within the natural material.

Please contact us with your specific requirements and we will arrange for a sample to be sent to you so that you can see for yourself the quality of our Horn Buttons.

The Horns we use for the manufacture of buttons are obtained ethically from either animals that have died from natural causes, or from animals that are bred for use in the food industry. No animals are bred or slaughtered just for their Horns. James Grove and Sons Ltd would NEVER knowingly use Horns or Tusks from endangered species. On many occasions a representative from James Grove & Sons will fly out to meet a supplier and check that the materials are sourced in the manner stated above.