IVORY QUESTION - Curious

dax0007

dax0007

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
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684
Hello all!
I got a question in put reference to ivory..

Some of my old Randall ivory knives that have cracks in them(though solid)you can feel the cracks or called checks.. Some our more obvious than others.. As i have learned most IVORY cracks.

However i have 2 other custom knives made 30 years ago where the marker has apparently put a clear coat sealer over the ivory handle.. I actually like this, but curious why my Randalls and SHIVA ivory handle knives do not have this sealer.. I dont know for sure if it is a sealer, but it sure looksl like it cause you cant feel the checks(cracks) with your fingers..

thanks
 
All Ivory moves with the seasons and humidity. You cannot stop it.

It is possible that the two handles that you describe as "sealed" may have been stabilised. Not common with Ivory but it can be done. I have never heard of a sealant which is applied after the knife is made.
 
I doubt if your custom knives have a clear coat sealer on the ivory. Probably just highly polished. I have owned many ivory custom knives and they all had a very high finish on the ivory.
 
I will put up some pics tomorrow night.. Maybe its just HIGH POLISHED.. But the HIGH POLISHED ivory does not show any yellowing like my others..

i will get some pics up

thanks
 
I'm certainly no expert, but from my experience, some of my ivory handles have yellowed more than others over the years. It might have something to do with what part or section of the tusk was used. Some of my elephant ivory shows more "honeycomb" grain and some is more solid. It seems the honeycomb grain yellows more.
 
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