Thread: Ivory scales?

I have accidentally acquired what I believe is a K-D 4/8 Carbo-Netic hollow ground with light yellowed scales that pass the hot pin test.

What are the rules on selling ivory? Do you have to take any special precautions when you clean ivory? This is new territory.

I've had the thing for two months and just started paying attention to it.

Shipping it internationally is against the law... selling it in your own country is quite legal. Ebay might pull an add if it says "ivory" i seen some advertised as "cream colored natural bone like material"
i just slather it in maas and polish away. the only real care it to remember it is that it is susceptible to cracking when tightening the pins. most of the cracked ivory scales i have seen have been split at the pivot pin.

some people confuse ivory and bone they will both pass the hot pin test but bone has pores, ivory usually has a straight "grain" structure.

good find,
jim

Yeah, I'm worried about tightening the pivot pin and it needs it, badly. The only damage to the scales is where the heel of the blade is hitting them.

Yeah if you put Ivory in your ebay add anywhere they will pull it. Happened to me. Check that it is ivory, there are visual tests to be made under magnification. You should advertise them as bone on the bay.

Carl.

Once you handle real Ivory you will never have doubts again. It has a feel all it's own. It's good to put a thin layer of oil on the scales a couple times a year. Just leave on maybe 20 minutes and wipe it off. With most Elephant Ivory the lines in it are the giveaway. The angles are what distinguish modern Elephant from mammoth ivory which is plentiful and legal to trade.

OY,just want to shake my head all elephant Ivory that is in the U.S NOW,is legal,With the exception of Indian Elephant,am reffering to the continant,not arizona or Texas
Mammoth is available,it is not plentifull by any meens,the russians control the entire mammoth market and the prices for the best has gone off the wall,you want to see Ivory? I just got back from the tucson gem show,ended 4 weeks ago,you can buy,sell,trade hundreds of lbs (as I did) is almost like dealing in gold and cocaine today,money talks B.S walks.
You want to buy Ivory? buy all you can now,because in 5 yrs there will be no more white ivory to be had at any price,legally. i have been dealing the stuff for 40 yrs,I am not selling it anymore,am sitting on it.
That being said,you have an item that contains real ivory you want to push on the bay? it is allowed to some certain percentage point they have conjured up for antique items, you have a straight with Ivory scales? post it as (natural material) people that know straights will know what it is,afterall thats who you want your buyers to be.
And above all DO NOT be poking red hot pins in Ivory scales,Ivory will burn like cordwood (it will not melt) I have seen more beautifull pces of Ivory defaced with burn marks,makes me sick,are plenty of experts available on the net,just send a pic, they can tell you without burning holes in things.

Are there any special procedures for caring for Mommoth Ivory scales, or is it just like elephant ivory - a light coat of oil a couple of times a year?

Thanks
Freehand

Mineral oil ,or glycerin only,ivory is made up of collegen (sp) that has to be re-hydrated, or it will turn to dust.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Mineral oil ,or glycerin only,ivory is made up of collegen (sp) that has to be re-hydrated, or it will turn to dust.

Not neetsfoot oil?

Originally Posted by Havachat45

Not neetsfoot oil?

Nope. I use mineral oil. Try Googling something about caring for ivory.