Thread: How do you tell if scales are ivory?

Here is a Wostenholm in celluloid, made to look like ivory. Too thick, lines too even, no depth, collars on pins:




Here is bone, a Case Bradford. Nice, but textured rather than smooth surface, slightly thicker and more rounded than ivory, brown pores prominent toward ends, no ivory "glow" or depth. Collars on pins (although I have seen a few bone scales pinned without collars):




Mappin & Webb in elephant ivory. Thin, smooth, depth, figure, and the pearlescent, almost translucent toothy "glow". Pins with no collars:

Very good post, Tim. That should get wiki-ed, IMO. The washers/collars (or lack thereof) is a good clue, but the material itself is what really matters, because washers/collars are not 100% consistent.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Very good post, Tim. That should get wiki-ed, IMO. The washers/collars (or lack thereof) is a good clue, but the material itself is what really matters, because washers/collars are not 100% consistent.

Yup, I've seen at least a few ivory handled razors that were peened with collars (washers).

An excellent post, Tim. I think it demonstrates perfectly, comparisons between real ivory and imitations which could fool the unwary.

Really old "I" scales can actually change the color and became darker. I am sure there is some way to bring back the original color, but I never try it myself.

Once you hold real ivory in your hand you will never mistake it again. It has a really special feel different from any other material especially if it's more of a massive piece like a brush handle.