Thread: Should I use the original scales or should I look for mammoth ivory.

So I managed to mess up big this morning. I got a all original wade and butcher in ivory scales and I managed to break one. I've already tried to epoxy it back together but I don't like the look. Do you think I should just use the original scales or look for some mammoth ivory to make handles out of.

If you do a search for Voidmonster's posts you'll find Zak has done amazing repairs on cracked/broken ivory scales. It can be done if you know what you are doing. Sharptonn also is good at that kind of thing.

I have not posted yet on it but have been working on some repairs of completely busted ivory scales. I recommend that and a healthy dose of the kintsugi philosophy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi

In lieu of process photos, here is a step by step. I can post pictures of the final product later.

My problem is that the razor barley fit in the handle. I have no room to do any sanding or anything that will shorten the handle.
Maybe if I found a place that sell ivory harvested before the band.

Originally Posted by aaron1234

My problem is that the razor barley fit in the handle. I have no room to do any sanding or anything that will shorten the handle.
Maybe if I found a place that sell ivory harvested before the band.

This procedure will result in a scale of the original length. But if you don't have any old broken ivory scales on hand as a source for the material to replace the broken part, that can be a problem.

I bought an old razor that someone had made little silver end caps to repair the broken scales. It looked like a super simple fix to me, but I am no tin basher. They simply took a piece of thin silver, likely nickel silver and wrapped it around the tip. I am presuming it was a repair because when I took it apart the one side was cracked and glued. Richard, aka Geezer has also done some posts on ivory repair. Getting the color to blend afterward is alleged to be the hard part.
I do feel your pain. I was tightening up the scales on one of my razors in a seven day set and did the very same thing. I bought quite a few razors with ivory scale to find ones that were exactly the same size. That is also an option. Cruise the bay for dead blades and ivory scales.

I'd try to find vintage ivory scales in better condition. Don't throw these away, all ivory is precious!
I'm not sure whether all mammoth ivory is the same, but the sample I saw was extremely brittle and therefore unfit for use unless cut very thick (which would ruin the look a bit) or glued on something else.

Stay away from mammoth ivory. It's 40,000+ years older than what you have. It can be very brittle and is expensive. It looks nothing like what you have there. I'd set those scales aside until you can come across another broken set if you wish to restore those. Another option would be to make some scales from camel bone. Austin Kennedy has some on eBay at very reasonable prices. You can give it an aged appearance by dyeing the bone. There are some articles here in the forums about using tea as a die. GSSIXGUN just posted a set of scales in bone under the Custom Builds and Restoration Heading that came out nice. You might take a look and send him a message. I'd bet he'd share his dye process with you.
Good luck,
Karl

I really won't to keep this razor looking original so I would prefer ivory. I'm thinking about cutting up a pice of vintage ivory art.

PM me your address and I can send you a piece of scrap if you want to try the repair yourself.