Athame...

[T'a Nuk]

Most vendors, even on the rez get the bone blades from wholesale companies, which in itself is fine. The hybrid bones are byproducts of beefalo processing and while not as romantic are still beautiful. Here in Montana we have commercial bison ranches, so I am near the source. We also have purebred herds but they are First Nation and even as an Indian it is extremely difficult to get ahold of the bones or skulls ($$$). An Asian import would be cool though. I have seen elk and deer used with stunning results, even horse works well. There is a museum in Browning that has a knife with a handle made of human femur. I draw the line there.

[ZippyZoo]

I think that it goes nicely with our bodies as being our best tools in terms of spiritual entities or energies. There's probably more of a validation of life force to it.