Thread: Genuine ivory and classic lines.

Beautiful Robert! I think the feedback will be positive on that one!
It's not far off the way i was thinking for mine. Not quite the same, luckily!
I do have a bit of an issue with new ivory though. I can't exactly justify it. I know there are huge stocks that are being released under the agreement, & i'm a committed carnivore! I guess it's just years of it being a socially unacceptable product.
You've changed the signature on it too. When was that?
Bloody hell i'm excited about mine now!!!

Classic. Beautiful and minimalist, with the spinework being the only ornamentation, and nothing else is needed. Sometimes, all the fancy scrollwork in some customs can be too much, like a lady with too much makeup. This one is just classy, and deserves the ivory scales.

Is that a quarter hollow, Robert?

Ray, that's a quarter hollow - maybe a little more but generally quarter-hollow design. I'm also doing full hollows for those that wawnt them, of course. Ben, I've changed the log awhile back but am now adding a simple "Willams, Handmade, USA" stamp on the reverse side of the tang, too. I try to downplay that sort of thing and let the razor's profiles and lines stand on their own without too much distraction. The ivory I use is actually Pre-Ban ivory. It can only be shipped inside the USA. I've got mammoth ivory, too, and it can be shipped worldwide.

Nice! I've been looking at lots of your designs, and this one is by far my favorite. I appreciate all of the really modern and unique designs that lots of people are coming up with, but this razor is my cup of tea.

We've been in contact Robert. I forget that my username here isn't the same as the real world! I'm Ben Midwinter. It's very nearly my turn, i imagine. We exchanged emails a while back about that. I like the new stamping. I think owning one of your's is something to be excited about & the stamp also reflects the pride you have for what you produce! Very subtle.
Don't get me wrong, I've got old ivory scaled razors. I just feel that commissioning a new one isn't for me. That's why i went with an alternative!

You're right, Ben, you're 2nd up once I've completed my current project so I expect to be talking to you within a few weeks. Sometimes I have to reluctantly take time off unexpectedly when I get a little too much skin in the grinder. Put a nice gash in my right index finger yesterday and it's going to be a few days before I'm going to be able to get with the program again. Damn, those 80 grit belts really cut you up quick if you accidentally catch the side of 'em with skin while they're on high speed. The buffers are probably the most dangerous tools in the shop but I've lost more skin and blood to the grinders than everything else combined.

Robert,simple and elegant,that's definitely a heirloom piece!

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Beautiful Robert! I think the feedback will be positive on that one!
It's not far off the way i was thinking for mine. Not quite the same, luckily!
I do have a bit of an issue with new ivory though. I can't exactly justify it. I know there are huge stocks that are being released under the agreement, & i'm a committed carnivore! I guess it's just years of it being a socially unacceptable product.
You've changed the signature on it too. When was that?
Bloody hell i'm excited about mine now!!!

Ivory has been banned since the 1970s. The preban stuff keeps coming up and considering the black market issues I always wonder about this discovered stuff. (this is not directed to Mr Williams I'm sure he has documented his sources) Very little elephant ivory is used its mostly mammoth. Most countries in the world ban it outright no matter the source. The U.S allows new stuff only from S Africa when they periodically cull the herds and it must be documented with voluminous paperwork. Even then if you import it, it will be seized and will be kept for months until everything is verified. Most ivory carvers won't deal with the hassle.

Breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Ivory has been banned since the 1970s. The preban stuff keeps coming up and considering the black market issues I always wonder about this discovered stuff. (this is not directed to Mr Williams I'm sure he has documented his sources) Very little elephant ivory is used its mostly mammoth. Most countries in the world ban it outright no matter the source. The U.S allows new stuff only from S Africa when they periodically cull the herds and it must be documented with voluminous paperwork. Even then if you import it, it will be seized and will be kept for months until everything is verified. Most ivory carvers won't deal with the hassle.

I believe Robert got this ivory from a dealer who specializes in buying whole tusks from estate sales. That is one of the reasons his ivory is well cured and will not crack. It has been here for God knows how long.

John