Ivory Handle Care

[Gene Ingram]

What constitutes "proper care" of Ivory knife handles?
Is an occasional wipe down with mineral oil in order,
and if so, why?
Thanks

 

[Don Cowles]

Gene, many knowledgeable scrimshanders (Sandy Brady, for example) do advocate the use of an occasional wipe with mineral oil, but I have heard some debate on this subject, too. Keeping ivory cool and away from moisture are the biggies.

 

[Gene Ingram]

Thanks Don...Big help as always.

 

[Bastid]

I agree with all Don said and despite the naysaysers I coat mine with mineral oil. If I am going to put them up for a while, I will wrap them (handles) with plastic wrap so that the mineral oil
stays in contact with the handle. If I have to travel with them I do the same.

Like Don said a cool, constant temp. and controling humidity (low or high) are key.

 

[beluga]

I have an antique ivory netsuke and I was told by the seller that wiping it with mineral oil will prevent the disocoloration to happen. And most people like the discoloration. I think the best thing to take care of ivory is to handle it by hand, so the moisture from your hand can be 'transferred' to it and prevent it from cracking. I don't know if this is the correct method or noe, but so far, I haven't had any problems with my netsuke and ivory-handled knife using this method.

 

[jimsbowies]

Key to preservation is keeping them out of the light! Trust me, if you display them, hand 'em on the wall or even let them lay around so that even the light inside your home gets to them over time...you will experience yellowing and perhaps cracking....mine are in knife "rugs" and then inside a safe....I know, I know...so what's the purpose of having them if you can't look at them....But I do look! Rainy Sunday afternoons have me digging through the safe...and sometimes it is like Christmas! I forget what I have in there and it ends up being a surprise.

 

[Chefget]

What's the popular opinion on Ren Wax?

Thanks

-Michael

 

[tonyccw]

Originally posted by Chefget
What's the popular opinion on Ren Wax?

Works great on my Stag pieces. They tout ivory as one of the items it works well on.

 

[GavinD]

Baby oil also works very well on ivory to stop it cracking