Thread: Need mammoth info!

I just had a section of mammoth cut today...
For the intended use it was a failure. I can still use the pieces for inlays, though even that presents some technical issues and compromises would need to be made. So I'll probably use it as inlays on a very expensive exotic 7 day razor box. (If I get around to it)
Well that said, I'll explain some of what went wrong and perhaps someone else will not have the same loss.
The first and I know now most important factor in working with mammoth tusk is "picking the right piece"! Mammoth tusk unlike elephant ivory varies greatly in age (thousands of years not hundreds) and has weathered elements for much longer. The good thing is that there's MT available that has been frozen for most of that time protecting it from the ages and elements.. so I'll need to study up on what to look for and stay away from.
The section I had cut was beautiful, and array of colors bluish greys black tan.. and cracks. Had hoped the cracks didn't go all the way through, they did. After the waterjet didn't work (the pieces were breaking bad) I took it to a buddy with very expensive bandsaw and experience, same result.
Turns out that my MT is much older and or was not protected from the elements and is mineralized through and through. Hard and brittle.
Any of you guys worked with working with or plan on working with mammoth?
Any tips on how to pick the right pieces, or work with it?
I've got some ideas and understanding but need more. And maybe there are others out there with similar questions.
Thanks in advance for the input..

Pixelfixed is the go-to guy for ivory

Have worked with it many times,I said a few weeks ago it is a PITA to work with.
You have to actually see and hand pick the material for the project in mind.
Or if you cannot do that, buy 4 times what you may need

You want to see Mammoth, go to the Tuscon AZ gem show,The russians control 90% of the market so bring lost of cash.
Blue green Mammoth today is selling.
at $300/Lb,some still comes out of Alaska where it is found during mining operations or on the banks of rivers.
But it has to be handled properly.

It needs to be metal banded and cured somtimes for yrs.or it will turn to dust,be carefull buying Mammoth,you can really get burned.

Mark Knapp and Charles Turnage are very good sources for mammoth. If you want interior stuff, Mark will occasionally have blocks of of it and they are very solid. Charles told me that he trades his interior stuff for a LOT of bark ivory because bark is what his knife maker customers want and the guys who want interior stuff for carving, etc are willing to give away the farm to get it .

Okay thanks, I'll be planning a trip to the AZ gem show. Always wanted to go.
Yep definitely got screwed, but I should have known better what to look for, if I had I would have kept looking.
I'm saving money to get elephant ivory before its banned, maybe even most of a tusk to last me forever..
Mammoth will be available for a long time to come, of course the price will go up but at least will be available.

Maybe we could put a group together to pool money for a large section of tusk and get more for our money...? Either way when I get a big chunk I'll try to make it available as its getting hard to find. Though I don't have the right equipment to cut it down yet so that would be more expense.. Ugh!

Mike your between a Rock and a Hard place,Nobody can ship Ivory to Calif anymore

Well I'll be traveling back and forth so I think I'll be able to do it.. it's just banned to ship it right?

Originally Posted by MikeT

Well I'll be traveling back and forth so I think I'll be able to do it.. it's just banned to ship it right?

To a point,make sure you have a paper trail on the age and origins.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

To a point,make sure you have a paper trail on the age and origins.

Thanks I'll definitely do that. Good protocol for the authoritarian society that seems to be growing up around us.. rules rules and more rules.. oh joy!