Thread: Greater Toronto Razor Meet 2016

Terrific photos of the day Andrew, thanks for taking them and posting them all up.

Colin left me the walrus tusk to see if I can slice it up, length-wise, for scale stock and such.
Seems much harder that the few bits of ivory I have played with thus far so I am thinking bandsaw.
Rain held off really, all day, but helped wash down the yard after dark so clean up is done and I can sit back and enjoy my Sunday shave with a stunning piece of Spanish steel I gratefully received yesterday as well.
A great day and pretty cool simulcast concert last night to end the day quite well!
Cheers.

Wonder if Andrew could turn a left over piece into a brush handle, That would be interesting or is the material too "flaky" ?

Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

Wonder if Andrew could turn a left over piece into a brush handle, That would be interesting or is the material too "flaky" ?

I have a piece of walrus tusk exactly the same Scott that I plan on turning and putting a Simpson knot in. I had a look at Colins tusk and the fat end is a bit small for a brush handle. I think the plan Mike and Colin have for scales is the right idea for it.

Those lengthwise splits have me concerned as they radiate inward about 1/4-3/8" or so as viewed from the cut end, it looks like it will split at those lines as the ivory is sliced.
We were talking about maybe trying to stabilize it with ca or something before the cut down.
Going to google it a bit and probably start its own thread in the workshop for educational purposes. I bet some of the gents in their have ideas we haven't thought of.
The brush handle would be an awesome piece of art no doubt.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Those lengthwise splits have me concerned as they radiate inward about 1/4-3/8" or so as viewed from the cut end, it looks like it will split at those lines as the ivory is sliced.
We were talking about maybe trying to stabilize it with ca or something before the cut down.
Going to google it a bit and probably start its own thread in the workshop for educational purposes. I bet some of the gents in their have ideas we haven't thought of.
The brush handle would be an awesome piece of art no doubt.

I don't know how good your vac chamber is Mike, but I got very lucky with mine and it pulls -29 of mercury. If you need a chamber feel free to use it.

Maybe by the next meet I'll try and get my hunk of tusk turned into a brush.

The rambling thoughts of a madman.

As the tusk dries out it slowly shrinks and the cracks radiate around, similar to wood, as it has similar growth rings as well. When you go to cut it it will likely heat up causing movement and possibly more cracking. Why not soak it in oil for a week before you do anything with it. Also the oil will help the bandsaw blade slip through and make the cutting cooler. As the slabs are cut, put them in an oil bath too. My friends that carve tusk all either keep it well waxed or store it in oil so it does not shrink and crack before the have it carved and sold.

Originally Posted by RezDog

The rambling thoughts of a madman.
Why not soak it in oil for a week before you do anything with it. Also the oil will help the bandsaw blade slip through and make the cutting cooler. As the slabs are cut, put them in an oil bath too. My friends that carve tusk all either keep it well waxed or store it in oil so it does not shrink and crack before the have it carved and sold.

Great idea Shaun, and thanks for bringing some experience to the topic. Mineral oil I presume would be the medium used?

Yes, but the light mineral as opposed to the heavy. The thinner the better I supposed. A lot of the really fine oils will go bad, so you are kind of stuck with petroleum products I think. Sorry I missed the meet. All in good time. Things happen when they are suppose to. I would really like to tour out that way in the fall when the leaves are all turning color. There are so many places to go and so many people to meet and things to accomplish. Looks like it was a lot of fun there.

Originally Posted by MikeB52

Those lengthwise splits have me concerned as they radiate inward about 1/4-3/8" or so as viewed from the cut end, it looks like it will split at those lines as the ivory is sliced.
We were talking about maybe trying to stabilize it with ca or something before the cut down.
Going to google it a bit and probably start its own thread in the workshop for educational purposes. I bet some of the gents in their have ideas we haven't thought of.
The brush handle would be an awesome piece of art no doubt.

We sure do miss pixel at times like this, his advise would be handy. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

We sure do miss pixel at times like this, his advise would be handy. Tc

He was rough and tough and gruff on the outside and sharing and knowledgable and friendly on the inside. An interesting mix and a great guy. He was also the man in the know when it came to ivory of all sorts.