Thread: question for the old guys or the ones with the knowledge

How can you tell if a razor is pre-band when it has ivory scales. One of these days I may get one and it would be nice to know this. thanks

No way to tell, unless you want to spend thousands on DNA testing.

If they are original to a vintage razor made before the ban. Old Sheffield, Solingen, Swedish, or wherever, you can know they are 'pre-ban' ivory. Anything modern you'd have to take the custom maker's word for it, unless he has documentation from where he sourced the razor.

As Bill said above, you cannot tell by looking at it.

If you are looking in antique stores it's more than likely real especially if there is dirt/soap scum between the scales, that would be hard to fake. Restored or custom razors would be a different story it would be very hard to tell with those

The international ban on ivory trade was instituted through CITES in January of 1990. Just as an FYI.

BTW: Never travel across an international border with your ivory razor and without rock solid documentation that certifies your ivory as pre-ban. I used to dabble in old guitars. Tortoise shell or Brazilian Rosewood cause the same issues. Having your gear seized is the best thing that might happen...

Originally Posted by entropy1049

The international ban on ivory trade was instituted through CITES in January of 1990. Just as an FYI.

BTW: Never travel across an international border with your ivory razor and without rock solid documentation that certifies your ivory as pre-ban. I used to dabble in old guitars. Tortoise shell or Brazilian Rosewood cause the same issues. Having your gear seized is the best thing that might happen...

At my age i don't think i'm going to be doing any jet setting. also my wife is afraid to travel to other countries now days. when i do travel i have 3 henckels that i choose from to take with me. I believe with those i would be safe any where and if something happened to them or they got lost in baggage i wouldn't cry too much.

Depending on which of your Henckels we are talking about, I might cry!

I always wondered how anybody could have proof unless it was in the same form when harvested. And then why, back then, would they document what was legal ? Silly world just keeps getting sillier.

Where is Pixel ?

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I always wondered how anybody could have proof unless it was in the same form when harvested. And then why, back then, would they document what was legal ? Silly world just keeps getting sillier.

Where is Pixel ?

All my tusks are stamped with export numbers and dates,all from the early 1920s.
Of course, if I turn a brush using this Ivory or rescale a razor,is no way I can prove anything.
Ivory is not illeagle is this country yet.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I always wondered how anybody could have proof unless it was in the same form when harvested. And then why, back then, would they document what was legal ? Silly world just keeps getting sillier.

Where is Pixel ?

See post 2