how to buy fossil scales

penguin_2000

penguin_2000

Joined
Jan 24, 2001
Messages
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I need to start looking around for some fossil scales for a knife project. How does one go about buying good quality scales. I notice most "fossil ivory" scales have (or look like they have) cracks on the surface of varying sizes. Is that going to be a problem down the road? Also some are shiney on the surface and some are dull. Is that a function of the preparation thorugh which the scale has been put, or a characteristic of the scale that cannot be changed? How have people's experiences been from buying off of ebay?

Thanks.
 
I highly recommend Akivory. I do not have his email adddress handy but a search here on that handle name will produce it. He (Chuck Leake) specializes in what you ask about. I have gotten ivory and other materials from him and am very happy for doing so.

Ancient material will most often have natural cracks, which add to their beauty. Working such material requires different approaches than used on woods and others that are consistant in composition throughout. Ivory, for example, is best ground to thickness from the back side (the side not to be seen). Ancient ivory will also have a bark, as it is called, caused my mineraliztion over the many years setting dormant. It is okay and necessary to work away the profile area of these type handle scales but the face is best left as intact as allowed. The bark is harder and usually more attractive. A try or two working it will instill great confidence. It seems more difficult than actual.

In grinding ivory or any ancient material I recommend not cooling in water. It is best to quench warm ivory on cool steel, aluminium, or other dry heat sinking surface. It is also recommended to grind slowly, more slowly than accustomed. These type materials do not tolerate rapid change well. Just a little more time than usual at the grinder (what ever machine used) will produce good results.

I see you are in Pittsburgh. How about those Steelers!! Let's get the Eagles this Sunday.
 
Ebay buying requires a good bit of knowledge when it comes to mammoth ivory.It is often hard to tell what a piece is like from a photo.Until you have used a good amount of ancient material it is best to buy from the known suppliers.Another good choice is to go to a knife show where Koval ,Pop's,or some of the ivory dealers sell.Then you can examine a variety and discuss the pros and cons with the experts.You will also see lots of finished handles,and get a good idea how to present a good fossil.
 
If you do buy on eBay, avoid the North Sea ivory. It's soft and pithy. I bought a chunk that I'm going to try having stabilized but I don't know if that'll help any. Expensive lesson. I've had the most luck buying just the bark sections on eBay. Read the dimensions carefully, many are too thin for anything but folder scales. Most of the scales sold there are too small for my knives, so I've always bought rough pieces.

When you're cleaning up the surface, try to leave as much of the color as you can. It doesn't go very deep, usually. When you see a web of cracks in the surface, that's often called "cracked ice". I wouldn't worry too much about how hardy the stuff is - it's been in the ground for at least 10,000 years, I expect it'll hold up to a few hundred more in someone's sock drawer... :D

Roger, thanks for the quenching tip! I get frustrated letting ivory cool on my bench while I'm working it, never thought of quenching on a plate. This is a good place.
 
Always use sharp bits when drilling and have a scrap of wood back it up to prevent chip break out. Don, from sunfish forge that is on here also has great sets of scales most of the time. Another ebay seller, 'fine_turnage_productions', aka charles turnage has usually good pieces.
Pay close attention to dimensions, you will have to trim to fit and the dimensions get measured at their longest points.
And lastly, when you grind it for the first time, get ready for every one in the house to come see what you are doing.:)
 
tmickley said:
And lastly, when you grind it for the first time, get ready for every one in the house to come see what you are doing.:)
Click to expand...

:D You sure got that right Tracy! :D
 
I've never bought Ivory off of ebay but one thing I've notice is they scrimp in the photo's. They just don't show enough detail for me.
Before bidding on anything I'd have the sellar send more and better detailed pics.
Just my 2 cents
 
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