Fossil Bone & Ivory

JNewell

JNewell

Joined
Nov 18, 2005
Messages
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I know I'm gonna get razzed for asking such a dumb question, but...is the fossil bone and ivory sold for scale-making really what it says it is?

Assuming it is...any comments on how easy it is to work, suggested methods, etc.? Does it get any kind of finish treatment to seal it? Thanks!
 
I can't say from personal grinding experience but I recently bought a folder with Mammoth ivory scales and the maker (Terry Knipschield) said that it works like ivory and sometimes even smells like elephant! He recommends the same treatment and finishing as any other ivory--a bit of Renaissance wax.
One advantage of global warming is the emergence of mammoths from the ice--they've all been dead for 10,000 years at least! We may all die but at least we'll have pretty things to take with us.
Greg
 
Greg said:
...(Terry Knipschield) said that it works like ivory and sometimes even smells like elephant!
Click to expand...

Can hear the guys down at the local pub now... "Who here smells like Woolly Mammoth?"

imscn070606_02_07.jpg
 
The "fossil" ivory used on knife handles is actually
only partially fossilized...more appropriately refered to
as mineralised ivory, or ancient ivory. For the most part,
the same is true of bone, though truly fosilised bone has
occasionally been used.
 
The exact time between mineralization
and true fossilization has been debated by
creationists for about as long, depends
on the preservation factor..

Only conclusion that everyone agrees on is it
takes "a long time". Generally on the order
of thousands of years under perfect conditions.

A recent interview of the seller of 100,000,000
year old truly fossilized common "dinosaur dung"
was amazed when everyone he let handle a small
fossilized piece of dung tried to smell it... Go figure.

-Ron
 
Much of the mammoth ivory on the market is mineralized only slightly on the surface.
The inner ivory is as fresh as can be. It is a little coarser and less stable than elephant ivory.
 
Thanks - interesting! Sounds like this stuff could have lot of other applications, like grips for revolvers as well.
 
Mammoth ivory and real elephant ivory have different grain structures and can be immediately & easily distinguished from each other.
 
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