Thread: Question

I`m doing a set of scales with dugong bone mamoth ivory and mop,and was wondering about the finish
I know with wood you get a great finish with super glue so my question is, would you get the same luster and depth of finish on the above materials? ,any advice would be greatly appreciated
Kind regards Peter

Peter, I prefer a more natural feel of the material. CA is too plasticy. However I'd let more experienced people chime in if I were you.

Ivory and bone can be brought to a high shine using the same type of polish that will work with plastics. I've even used brasso to polish ivory and antler and it works very well on stabilized and unstabilized bone, ivory and antler. I don't usually put a protective finish on these materials because I always have them stabilized.

I suppose a few light coats of ca could work out alright. I know that my favorite, Tung oil, will not work on ivory or bone. FWIW, I don't know of many folks that will use a finish on ivory, other than stabilization.

Perhaps someone who has worked with bone, (one of our resident knife makers?) could lend some advice.

Good luck!

Only buffers and polishing compounds on MOP. After sanding, of course.

For bone and ivory I just sand them to 600 and buff with Fabulustre. If you only have buffs that are not rated by horsepower, then you need to sand to 1500, maybe even to 2000. You should be able to buff using a rotary by then.

You do not need CA unless there is flaking to the mammoth or mastadon. Then you need to saturate with the super thin stuff.

Here's a site that gives a few tips on home stabilization that I have been wanting to try, myself.

http://www.northcoastknives.com/nort...ints_tips3.htm

Thanks for the link Bill. Very informative. One thing I'd like to add is that an electric kettle will probably be the safest way to add the boiling water.

Thank you all very much for the info as always it is much appreciated
Have a great one guys
kind regards Peter