Thread: Ivory or bone scales?

Can someone look at these pictures and tell me if they are ivory or possible bone scales? I have an opportunity to purchase this razor and in the description it says French ivory scales.

This should help.
http://www.marigoldlane.com/antiques/frenchivory.html

Thanks so much for the info Mrchick! Just what I needed sir.

i was going to guess bone, but i'm not sure it's even "french ivory" as the article says look for the telltale wavy lines which i don't see either.

If I had to guess, my bet is that they are bone scales. Ivory scales are much thinner than scales from other materials. Ivory is usually, but not always, pinned without washers. Ivory is very smooth, hard and feels like tooth enamel.

Bob

Looks like bone to me

Yea, looks like bone, a side pic showing the thickness might tell more.It does look like a rescale, from the crude scale shaping and pinning.

Because of the reaction at the collard pins, collars on the pins, thickness of the scales and over all roughness of the work, I doubt it is Ivory and I think it’s bone.

I have bought dirty Ivory an it does not look like that, is looks and feels smooth, even dirty.

These days, [t is not uncommon for Ivory to be sold as French Ivory or as “Natural” scale material or even as Faux Ivory. Here in California Fish and Game are on an Ivory Hording Party, raiding Antique stores and flea markets, seizing anything containing the least bit of Ivory or they suspect is ivory, often bone, taking musical instruments, pool cues and razors.

Hopefully that may change soon…