giraffe bone vs. mastadon ivory

bandaidman

bandaidman

Basic Member
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Feb 11, 2001
Messages
1,149
Was at a show today and saw a pretty neat looking folder made with giraffe bone scales. I have been contemplating a new gent's folder and am considering having the scales made out of giraffe or mastadon ivory (purely on the basis of looks). This blade would be carried (and not sit in a case) and my question is are these materials durable enough to stand up to daily carry? Also are they more or less expensive than a nice piece of sambar stag?
 
Yes (IMHO) they are plenty durable for use. And also (IMO) are two of the prettiest materials available to us knifemakers.

Typically on cost it's an ascending order: stag, Giraffe, Mastadon. But of course there are those rare pieces that stand out and cost more (this happens with all materials).

I have some Giraffe bone that is natural and some that is an intense blue (I bought a whole bone and had half dyed blue when stabilized, half left natural...much like ivory in color).

Good luck,
Nick
 
I bought both giraffe bone and mastadon ivory handle materials at the Blade show. Both look really nice and were from top suppliers. Now the point: giraffe bone cost me $60 a set, mastadon cost me $165 for one set and $195 for the other set.
 
For a gents folder I would go with the Giraffe Bone as it looks as good as the ivory and you won't be as worried about it during use.And it is very durable.
Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
Observation regarding mastadon ivory.... Anything that lasts 10,000+ years ought to be pretty durable.
 
Much fossil ivory is found underground in cold climates and can react adversely to air, heat and sunlight. Fossil ivory also does not grow straight and, thus, can have significant inherent stress that makes keeping it flat difficult.

Of course, like giraffe bone, it can be stabilized.
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My vote is for stabilized giraffe bone for everyday use!
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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives


www.andersoncustomknives.com
 
:
I read in a recent publication, forgot which one, where the fellow writeing made a statement the the fossilized ivorys should be more accurately called "mineralized" since it truly isn't totally fossilized as yet.
Do you suppose that's one reason it isn't real stable unless it's been treated?
And how about something like Dinosaur bone if you could get it, would it need stablized as well?


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Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
I would imagne anything that's pourous and contains little oil could be stabilized with acrylic resin.

One thing I have noticed is that stabilization does not necessarily mean that the material won't twist on you when you cut and shape it - especially if it has the inherent stress I mentioned in my earlier post. I've had several blocks of wood stabilized (after adequate seasoning) and they still "moved" when I went to work with them months later.

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives


www.andersoncustomknives.com
 
I've used both and perfer the Mastadon Ivory hands down.

The last set of giraffe shin bone cost me $60.00. To me the shin bone is way over priced for something that nature is still making.

Nature hasnt produced Mammoth/Mastadon Ivory for over 10,000 years. I regularly get excellent Mammoth Ivory for $60-$100.

The Ivory has much more "character"

Arthur D. Washburn
ADW Custom Knives
www.adwcustomknives.com
 
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