Ivory question

Brock Cutlery

Brock Cutlery

Joined
Jan 10, 2015
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1,673
I picked these two pieces up at a garage sale years ago. I'd love to use them as bolster material or something in my knife making.
As you can see they have some cracks. Lengthwise there is about 1.4 inches of usable material. The thickest part is about .92 inches.

Can I ignore the cracks? Any ideas on how I might use this ivory?
Thanks

ivoryelephants.jpg
 
I would not cut those up they are neat
 
All depends on how deep the cracks go in the ivory - as you saw them into slabs you might find some parts falling apart? Keep us updated on results. Yep, sure is a shame to cut up those carving. Elephants are good luck {g}
 
Thanks Ken. I'm working on a couple of wa handles over the next week so I'll see what happens.
I do like the elephants, but don't have much use for luck. ;)
I've collected little pieces like these over the last 30 years, so have some other odds and ends that may end up in knives.
These are probably the coolest of them all, so I might keep the good one.
 
It may help to use some thin CA glue on the cracks before doing any sizing, and then as you go.
Frank
 
The law has changed again since your last post. New law signed Sept 5th, reportedly effective next year.
 
Being your in Calif I would be very very careful using anything that looks like elephant ivory. Check your current laws and see what type of documentation is needed to utilize this material. I know they tried to make it illegal here in Oregon last year. They did pass additional laws in Ca.
 
A C Richards said:
Being your in Calif I would be very very careful using anything that looks like elephant ivory. Check your current laws and see what type of documentation is needed to utilize this material. I know they tried to make it illegal here in Oregon last year. They did pass additional laws in Ca.
Click to expand...

I was just reading up on all that. I think I'll just leave it in my collection for now. I don't want any kind of trouble. :|
 
I get asked this occasionally- to what extent is it legal to make something out of ivory, for your own use?
Selling ivory handled knives is something a lot of people have just left behind, but if you just use it on your own knife?
It's one of those things where your best answer might be, "I'm not a lawyer." :)
 
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