Thread: Handles in oil.

Gentlemen, I have a question.
The edge has been strongly oiled and ivory handles (I think ivory) have become impregnated with oil.
How is it possible to deduce oil?

If it was a hone or something like that you could use a solvent however I wouldn't do that with Ivory. Its pretty absorbant stuff so its probably well into it. Eventually it should dry out by itself. You can wash it with a mild soap but I wouldn't use anything stronger. By the way is that a crack at the bottom of one of scales by the hole. be careful with that if that's what it is. Ivory can break very easily.

I already used water with soap. Handles was lying a week in water with soap. Nothing.=(

Hi Manah- here's a good link on antique ivory care and cleaning:

Cleaning Antique Ivory - Associated Content

Thanks. Good article, but problem that handles have become impregnated with oil. Not only surface.

Sorry to be the one to break this to you, but there are no viable ways of removing that oil without destroying the ivory. You can try to make it look more uniform by applying oil to the rest of the scales, but the stuff that's there is there to stay.

That's it, I now think of it. I don't see another option.

Eventually it will dry out by itself. Its just gonna take a very long time like several years. Sorry.

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Hi Manah- here's a good link on antique ivory care and cleaning:

Cleaning Antique Ivory - Associated Content

Ivory can become very dry and brittle, and dry ivory can become cracked and permanently damaged. Hydrate antique ivory twice a year by wrapping it in a soft white cloth soaked in pure mineral oil. Allow the antique ivory piece to remain wrapped in a dye-free oiled cloth for about eight hours. After unwrapping the antique ivory piece, carefully wipe off any excess mineral oil with another soft white cloth.

I'm wondering if it would be safe to completely submerge the scales in mineral oil - if it is lighter than the oil that is staining the scales, it might redistribute it and even things out.

Of course if it's mineral oil that caused the problem in the first place it will just make the problem worse.

And in any case it would be an extreme and risky process. Just something to consider as a last-ditch effort maybe.

This is way.. way.. out there but maybe worth a shot or it may atleast get some out. Im a taxidermist and use Borax soap powder alot on ducks...ect. Its real obsoarbant with anything and fine.Try covering the scales with it and let it set a day the take em out if it works you might have to do it a few times it works on greasy ducks a yellowish crust shows up in the Borax. Coleman fule or Acetone is good too but to harsh for this prob. Its a longshot but a shot anyway....foodlion,walmart..ect all sell it 20muleteam borax.


Matthew