How should I use this ivory?

B

Brian.Evans

Registered Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2011
Messages
3,267
Greg sent me a few small pieces of ivory scrap a couple years ago to play with. I kept these two pieces for when my skill was appropriate to use it. I've got a small pattern I'd like to use them on now.

However, I'm torn on how to use them. They have some really cool coloring on the outside that would look nice to keep, but I'm not thinking I've ever seen anyone post elephant ivory with this type of color on it; mostly everyone polishes it up.

What should I do? I have little experience with ivory.

20140924_120741.jpg


20140924_120813.jpg
 
I believe that is mammoth ivory. The outer bark is what you want to try and preserve. Grind from the back side to even up the thickness. use fresh sharp belts and go slow. don't let it get hot. You can also do it on a flat surface with 80-100 grit sandpaper. Move the scales in a figure eight motion.
 
Stacy, I thought out looked like mammoth ivory too, but Greg told me way back when that it was elephant. I'll grind from the back like with jigged bone.
 
It sorta looks like the brown might be solely on the surface. The only mammoth ivory I've got with surface color like that, the color goes a bit deeper. I do have a piece of ivory with about that color on the ivory and it's right on the surface and sands off very easy. The "blue dots" almost look more like a mildew or something that's grown on surface. I've voting elephant ivory.

Please understand, the above is just an opinion that is based on my very limited experience with both. I've only been working this summer with the ivory, and only 1 knife with ivory, and 3 with mammoth. I've been so impressed with how easy that stuff sands 'n polishes up to a really nice shine.

Ken H>
 
Go for it, it'll look good no matter what type if Ivory it is. Do like Stacy said and work it from the back as much as possible. Sand and buff on the front only as much as it takes to finish it properly.
I was nervous about working with Ivory my first few times but its one of my favorite materials now. The main thing is don't get it hot. When working it, I use a fresh 36X belt and touch it to my lips frequently. Your lips are more sensitive to heat than your fingers. After I get it to the proper thickness I true it up on a granite plate. If you're not sure when its trued up you can blacken the back with a pencil and then sand it off.
Good luck and post some pics when its finished.
 
The surface to me indicates mammoth, but like Darrin said use no matter what it is, it and it will look terrific with just a little finishing. Frank
 
Actually, I don't think I ever said it was elephant. I don't think I have ever owned any elephant... just mammoth and walrus.
 
Most any organic material that has sat in the ground can have spores and bacteria that can make you sick. However, it isn't a big risk with denser things like ivory.

Clean it if dirty, and wear a respirator because of the dust ( much more of a worry than the bacteria). Wash up well and vacuum the dust up when done. Whenever grinding anything, you should be wearing a respirator.






BTW - One reason I was pretty sure it was mammoth was the feathery black specs. This is caused by manganese dendrites growing in the ivory. This takes time in the ground to happen.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top