Thread: Help with ivory scales

I just acquired a Joseph Rodgers with ivory scales. The razor and scales are in very nice condition. I have read a bit about ivory here and some have said Maas can polish ivory, others say mineral oil just to keep them hydrated. What is the current consensus for care if ivory scales?

thanks

I couldn't say for sure because I've had razors with ivory scales for multiples of years and I've never done anything at all to/for them but handle them with care.

I would PM mycarver. He makes scales out of ivory and can probably answer your question.

Or pixelfixed ... he knows more about ivory than any I know of

I have several ivory razors. Maas will shine up ivory just fine. Be careful of too much pressure in the middle of the scale!
I never oiled ivory. Some soak up oils and causes ugly splotches. Renwax is ideal to protect them.

+1 Ren Wax

As above,ren-wax and a once a yr lgt application of mineral oil.
Would not use Maas,Is ammoniated and may dull the finish.

I've used Cape Cod Polishing Cloths. They do a fantastic job on ivory. I'm not sure I'd use any sealer or wax on ivory. it needs to breath and should be oiled periodically.

Originally Posted by bouschie

I would PM mycarver. He makes scales out of ivory and can probably answer your question.

The deleterious effects of the environment on ivory and the steps necessary to avoid them have been known for centuries, it has been worked to fantastic effect for centuries before that and the accumulated wisdom of all those years has been collected by divers government institutions and museum restoration sites. How to work it has been written about many times on the web both recent,y and the collected writings of those long dead have also found a resting place on tbe web.

I would rather trust that information with its very long pedigree than the words of somone whose experience compared to that is minimal.

Failing that what Sharptonn, JimmyHAD and pixelfixed have written is a good summary.

If you want to know more why not google tbe subject - much better than being a mouthpiece for someone else...

Regards,
Neil

I once had the profound Pleasure of being invited to view one of the largest Netsuke collections on the west coast.
900 pces, all Ivory.I would think worth over a million bux.
The owner kept them in a climate controlled glass display case,once each yr he would wipe them off with distilled water and a microfiber cloth.
Than apply a very small amt. of mineral oil, rubbing ea. pce until warm.
Ren wax is used by Museums all over the world to protect Ivory,it will not seal it,if you take an Ivory scale and seal it with Say CA,I garentiee you it will Crack down the road.
That being said Ivory should be treated as a Living material,It is Hygroscopic and can move from day to day with Changes in Humidity,as much as .004 of an inch (yes I have measured it) It is extreamly tough material tho.
You can still buy Ivory (CONUS ONLY) legally, but the window to do so will close shortly.