Thread: don't Say Bone on e-bay

Ok, kidding aside.
My wife just found a human hair and fingernail doily on regretsy. Thanks JohnJ or whoever posted a link to that site.

Also, I have found that people who know razors will know what the material is with any number of descriptions, just make sure that it couldn't be taken as ivory when you make these roundabout definitions of bone.

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

Also, I have found that people who know razors will know what the material is with any number of descriptions, just make sure that it couldn't be taken as ivory when you make these roundabout definitions of bone.

Should we list the scales as being made from a bovine internal structural support system?

Depending on how you are feeling you could state:
-osseous structure of domesticated ungulate
-femoral compact ossified cartilagenous connective tissue from Bos primigenius

Your suggestion may be better understood though.

I like things simple ... how about "cacified meat sticks"?

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

Ok, kidding aside.
My wife just found a human hair and fingernail doily on regretsy. .

Let me guess, Hannibal Lector's mother was the seller

It can work in the buyers favour. I bought a razor, with what I assumed were white plastic scales. They turned out to be real ivory, which I'm pretty sure the seller knew but couldn't say.

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

You think bone is bad, try selling an antique book bound with human skin. That's a description nightmare.

I'm still curious how that guy sold his virginity on ebay without it being pulled.

Could be listed simply as a tome from the Mengele Library

Originally Posted by Legion

It can work in the buyers favour. I bought a razor, with what I assumed were white plastic scales. They turned out to be real ivory, which I'm pretty sure the seller knew but couldn't say.

I lucked out on one exactly like you did...I was stoked.

Originally Posted by Theseus

I saw a blade with ivory scales on the bay a while ago that described the scales as "real, organic faux ivory".

There certainly is such a thing as real, organic faux ivory, made from the ivory nut, but it can't be big enough for complete razor scales. You may find it used as inlay, though.

I would be cautious about listings which hint at an unmentionable natural material, or show a picture of an elephant. If they can't say "ivory", it can't be binding on them that it should be.

I once bought some knifemaking supplies from Jantz Supply, when I was in Saudi Arabia, and it included an unfinished boning knife, which came at the head of the customs declaration. So I got a phone call in my office, from our mail-room clerk, who said "Mr. John, I have a boner for you." Well, I didn't even know him that well. The delicately nurtured may have to think for a couple of minutes about that.

Originally Posted by Legion

It can work in the buyers favour. I bought a razor, with what I assumed were white plastic scales. They turned out to be real ivory, which I'm pretty sure the seller knew but couldn't say.

I just had one like that arrive. It was this here: Vintage straight razor, sheffield | eBay

In hindsight, the wedge pin crack should have tipped me off, but a pleasant surprise.

As far as the general use of 'bone' on ebay, you can buy all kinds of bone blanks for knifemaking etc; I am not convinced that it's just the mention of bone that would get a listing pulled.