Ivory care

Yosemite Sam

Yosemite Sam

Joined
Dec 17, 2001
Messages
1,055
Considering that there are approximately 57 people with new ivory-handled pocket knives around here, and since I can't use the search function to see what's already been said, I figured it might be a good time to address this:

What's the best way to care for inner mastodon ivory? A little mineral oil, like most other materials? Soak it once a year? Nothing?

Is this material particularly fragile? My knife (photos later) has a couple of "faults" in the ivory. They're not cracks, just darker spots that do not have a smooth finish on the outside. CSC even took pains to match these spots on both side. It's very pretty, but I'm wondering how it will wear. Anything particular to watch for?

-- Sam
 
I would just leave it alone. With age and handling it should develop a nice lustre and colouring. It shouldn't shrink like synthetic material. Just my opinion. I have no experience with Mastedon Ivory though.
 
A little mineral oil works just fine on mastodon ivory. Renaissance wax is also good.

Give it a little wipe down every now and again and you're good to go.

It's a good durable material though it won't take the abuse of a synthetic. Try to avoid extremes of heat/cold and humidity and you shouldn't have any issues.
 
What Blues said:thumbup:
I like ren wax as well a little goes along way.
Cheers
Mitch
 
I'll third the Rennassaince wax. I've used it on wood, ivory, and steel with excellent results. You only need a very light coat on it. You can also use Johnson's Paste wax if no Ren Wax handy.
 
I've had good luck with mineral oil. When I moved from Calif. to Nevada, those scales I hadn't taken the time to treat wound up cracking. I've had stag crack from severe humidity declines also.

Mike
 
I've used mineral oil on ivory handgun stocks for years. Like wood, they will dry out over time.
 
I wipe mine with vegetable oil once a year. Interesting to see such a variety of ways to maintain ivory!
 
My only concern with vegetable oil would be that it can turn rancid in time where mineral oil won't.
 
Blues said:
My only concern with vegetable oil would be that it can turn rancid in time where mineral oil won't.
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Never heard that before. I 'spose its possible. I just went up to the safe and pulled couple colts and one set of ivory (waiting the right one). Sniff test ok. Felt ok. Quick pic for posting made. Had these for a 'while' (time flies!)

<delete image>
 
Thanks. The thought of 'rancid' has changed my habits. I'm a mineral oil user now! :thumbup:
 
sunburst said:
Well there ya go...:mad: Now I have to move away from Florida..:eek:

Sunburst
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Ralph, I never had any issues with mine during the years I was in FL but I did make sure I kept the scales treated from time to time. (I know your answer was tongue in cheek but some might not.)
 
Living in a dry environment (well it USED to be when we had snowy Scandi winters&cold, not this year though..)and ferocious central-heating has caused the Bocote Wood on a Bark River knife to shrink back badly. It's improving now on a mineral oil diet and a damper atmosphere. Wood seems more delicate in this respect than bone or antler, but all benefit from a rub-down, don't we all:D
 
I'm still a big user of Formby's Lemon Oil after Tony Bose talked it up a while back...

Sunburst
 
FWIW, lemon oil is just mineral oil with "essence of lemon" added... (I looked it up when we were having that discussion.)

-- Sam
 
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