Thread: Straightening ivory scales

Not entirely sure it can be done. I'm pretty much just making sure of this fact. I know horn and celluloid can be straightened by applying heat. I imagine this is not the same with ivory?

Did a search, nothing turned up.

I don't think it can be done, Leighton. I've seen an old text advocating the use of acid to soften it, but this destroys the structure and leaves it open and fibrous. Maybe if the ivory is thin you could fix it to thin brass liners?

Regards,
Neil.

I would advise against it if it's something you can live with.
If it's a junk set and you want to experiment... you could try steaming them and then pressing them in between two flat boards (or what have you). IIRC ivory is hair, like horn is hair and that can be steamed and pressed.

Ivory is bone and being porous, it might suck up the water and expand. Ivory comes from the tusks of elephants and walruses & other mamals.

I'm not so sure that the hair analogy holds up - I think it is more like bone. A form of dentine rather than keratin. The tusk is an incisor - a tooth.

Regards,
Neil

ah drat I knew I was getting something wrong, thanks gents.