Ivories...to Oil or Not??

Michael,

Mineral oil and/or Rennaisance Wax are what has been recommended to me more than any other protectants.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
HI Chef,

Oil, early and often. I go so far as to store my Ivory handled knives in a slightly oily rag.

I use Ren wax on the blades. As it is meant to keep things off the blade. I don't know if it can keep Ivory from de-hydrating?



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
 
Mike,

I don't think you'll go wrong with mineral oil, but I'll read from the side of the RenWax can:

"Refined waxes blended to a formula used by the British Museum and restoration specialists internationally to revive and protect valuable furniture, leather, paintings, metals, marble, ivory, etc. Freshens colours, imparts soft sheen."

So, they mention ivory specifically and I've read elsewhere that it is a good protectant for it.

You can also wipe the handles down with the mineral oil, dry them and coat with RenWax as well. A can of this stuff lasts a long, long time since so little is used per application.

Hope that helps some.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
Hi Chef,

Pearl doesn't shrink, however if you keep it in direct sunlight for months at a time it may start to "bleach".

I don't know if Ren Wax can block the UV rays.



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Les Robertson
www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
Custom Knife Entrepreneur
 
I've used RenWax on pearl for some time now and it's been great. Plus it has been specifically recommended for pearl by both makers and literature I originally received with the wax when I ordered it a couple years back.

Blues



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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
Michael,
A month or two ago Jerry Fisk had an article in KI that said he reccomends soaking ivory handles in mineral oil for 8 hours twice a year. He also said that if you keep them in a zipper pouch to leave the zipper partially open so the ivory can breath.

Dave
 
I used Ren. wax on everything. It's great for metal, wood, pearl, etc. I no longer use it on ivory after I recently had several nice pieces crack. Mineral oil is the way to go. I think the wax seals, but doesn't moisturize.
 
Great job. Mineral oil or lemon oil is what I have been told to use on Ivory. For long term storage or travel to different climates douse it good and wrap it in plastic wrap.

Renaissance Wax is not necessarily a field protectant, but it has never let me down on Damascus, it helps keep stag looking great and ads luster to knives I have in pearl and stone handles. It might keep ivory more stable for a longer period of time than without it, but I suggest using the oil too, it is more important to keep it from loosing or absorbing humidity or water.

Another good thing about Ren. Wax is that it will help keep fingerprints from creating a problem. It is great to use on knives you handle or take to shows. I love the stuff so much it stays on a table in my den.

(That is the only reason I never misspell it.
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[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 06-17-2001).]
 
Oils are better than wax's . . . but the bad news is that neither are guaranteed to prevent ivory cracking. Ivory is a unique material, with a mind of its own!

I've got ivory handled knives which have never seen a drop of oil for 15 years . . . they've been exposed to extreme wet and dry, heat and cold, and they haven't got a blemish. I've got others which have been pampered from day one and they have cracked.

One thing which ivory definitely does not like is changes in humidity or climates (i.e. from Florida to Arizona).

As an aside . . . I'm a scrimshander, and I find the mammoth ivories to be very porous. I would treat them carefully when it comes to oiling, if they absorb too much they will begin to delaminate. Oiling of ivory can also lead to discolouration over time, this might improve the look, or not, depending on your taste. Don't oil any ivory which has been scrimmed . . . please!

Regards, HILTON
 
What about ivory handled knives that are carried everyday? I have a new trapper that I plan on carring and I remember hearing that if you handle the knife alot, you don't need to worry as much about oiling it.

What do you all think?

Rich
 
Rich, I think that's partly true, but much depends on the piece of ivory involved.

If it was old and stable when the knife was made, its chances are better.

If the assembly technique allowed a little breathing room around the pins to prevent the sort of stresses that can cause cracking, its chances are better.

If it is walrus (harder and more stable) rather than elephant or mammoth, its chances are better.

There are so many variables that affect knife handles that all of the preventive measures you can take are worth the extra effort. Even if you are handling it a lot, it will only cost you a few minutes to wipe it with mineral oil a couple of times a year, and it might buy you some cheap insurance.

Don Cowles
 
Great Link!!

I have found that to be quite relevent since I had some shrinkage problems on a nice Jeff Chaffee piece.

Thanks
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