Fossilized Walrus tusk?

thartman

thartman

Joined
Apr 4, 2010
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251
I received a 16" fossilized walrus tusk from a client who would like it to be used as handle, scales, material on his next knife. This tusk came from Alaska and was picked up on a beach. It is not like any material I have used . It looks like bleached stone and the interior is solid. I used a knife to pick at the interior and it seems rather soft and chalky. Can this material be used as is for a handle or would it need to be stabilized. If anyone has worked with similar material I would appreciate any insight you have.

Thanks
Tim
 
Hi Tim In most cases it should be fine to use but a picture would help. Somtimes with beach wash ivory you got to sand into it to remove the very soft out side layer. Also I would never stabilize fossil walrus.
 
A set of photos would be really useful. Your description of "soft and chalky" makes me doubt it is walrus.

A fossil tusk is hard as stone all the way through. The outside is often colored, and there are nearly always lines and stripes.

A new beach found tusk is hard on the outside, and may have a softer pith in the socket. The actual core farther up ( often called the "Tapioca") is mottled looking and hard.

A tip piece of fossil mammoth tusk can look like a walrus tusk, but the inside is often soft and chalky. The outside is fairly hard, and may look bark-like.
 
I have a truly fossilized piece... just as Stacy describes. Hard and brittle from edge to center.
 
Bladsmth Your description of a new found beach tusk hit the nail on its head, because that is exactly what this piece is. It had only been found a day before it was purchased, two weeks ago. I have not cut it open but from the weight and feel, it is dense and solid. The outside looks as if surface would easily clean up to a very hard surface. The soft part I spoke of is at the very end of the tusk where pith would be found. Here are some photos that I hope will help to determine that this is a usable material.
Thanks
Tim

Walrus tusk 1.jpgWalrus tusk end 2.jpgWalrus tusk tip 3.jpgWalrus tusk length w line 4 .jpg
 
Here are some pictures of a real fossilized piece.

Fossil1.JPG


Fossil2.jpg


Fossil3.jpg
 
That looks quite different. What do you think the material is that I was given? Thanks for putting the photo up.
 
I strongly suspect your piece is walrus, the colors vary depending on the soil the piece is surrounded by. I think your piece needs to be cured before cutting, but I do not know the process for curing ivories...
 
If that was truly found a couple weks ago I would not use it for at least a 9-12 month'sif stored in a half way dry/warm place. If your shop is heated in I would stick in a draw and let set for a year so.I would not try to speed the procces up either. By the way its pretty nice piece too.


Brett
 
That is a relatively new walrus tusk. After 50-100 years in the sediment it would start to look like Greg's. A few hundred more and it will look stunning.
Trim off the end and you are good to go. Once you sand/grind through the worn outer surface, it will look a lot better, too.
The main rule with walrus ( and all ivory) is - DON'T let it get hot in grinding. Use brand new belts and slow speed. Grind and let it cool, grind and let it cool, etc. It won't hurt the walrus ivory to dip it in water as you grind, if necessary. Sand it to 2500 grit and give it a buff with matchless white and it will glow.
 
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