well if it smells like horn and flakes like horn i say it's more than likely horn.
and yeah they use to die this thing, although the died ones i've had look very different.
if you hate it so much i'll be happy to have it
i guess i can trade you another razor in celluloid for it since i don't really have many wood ones and i am rather attached to my ivory
or just don't breathe while shaving - it will certainly make for better better precision cutting them whiskers...