Thread: Ivory Scale ID

I know it has probably been discussed in numerous threads elsewhere, but here it is: How do you positively ID ivory?

I just got an eBay razor which arrived today- W. Hawcroft & Sons, Sheffield, Renown. Now I don't think that the seller realized two things- one, it belongs to a 7-day set. Thursday is etched along with some fancy designs on the spine, but only faintly. The blade is in great shape. The second thing is that the scales seem suspiciously like Ivory. Now doing some narrowing down, it doesn't smell like celluloid, plastic, or bakelite when rubbed. There is no scent. There are VERY faint lines in the material, not straight lines though. Just look like... how Ivory looks. It is not bone as there is no evidence of the Haversian system. The scales are very thin yet strong with a crack at the butt pin coming up the length of the blade maybe one inch from the end.

I heard that there is some pin test. How is that done? Any other tests that will be definitive? I would like to take the scales of to clean up the rust at the pivot, but maybe not if this is indeed Ivory. I'm guessing original pins would be of more value. I will definitely clean up the blade though (won't need much work!).

Sorry the pics have different colors. I couldn't get it quite right. But here it is:

Thanks!

Good for you. I was watching that razor as well, but decided to pass on it in favor of some others. If I remember the price correctly, it was quite a steal!

$26 after shipping kinda steal. The blade is in fantastic shape as are the scales besides that crack. I love the tang and point on this baby. It's definitely a keeper.

Talk to Topher he just got in a bunch of ivory scales.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

$26 after shipping kinda steal. The blade is in fantastic shape as are the scales besides that crack. I love the tang and point on this baby. It's definitely a keeper.

Rub it in, will ya

That's okay, as a punishment I've decided to send you a POS W&B I just spent (wasted...) $35 on. Let's see which gives out first, your arm, or the blade

Here, wander around this site. It's quite good.

http://www.lab.fws.gov/Ivory/elephant.html

i was under the impression that the pin test is when you heat up a pin and see if it will melt into the scales, if it doesnt then it is ivory or bone. hope this helps

Originally Posted by tatsuo

Rub it in, will ya

That's okay, as a punishment I've decided to send you a POS W&B I just spent (wasted...) $35 on. Let's see which gives out first, your arm, or the blade

Definitely the arm.

thanks deadringer that does help. Mike, that page is interesting, I have to go back and read it in more depth!

Look closely along the edges of the scales. That's more likely where you'll see the lines/pattern best, if it is ivory.