Knife handle maintenance (especially ivory)

yitz

yitz

Joined
Mar 5, 2000
Messages
435
I've had some problems recently with the ivory on my knife handles cracking. I use Rennaisance Wax on everything. I've read that it's good to use oil on ivory. What kind of oil, and where do you get it? Are horn and bone the same as ivory? Does anything change if it's scrimshawed? What's the best thing for wood? What's the best way to clean ivory or wood? Thanks for your help!
 
From TKCL a while back we had a pretty long discussion on ivory preservation. The concensus seemed to be a high quality baby oil and keeping the environment (temp. and humidity) stable, if I remeber correctly.

Scrim on ivory was not brought up. I will try to get an answer from Deb Donnelly and Mary Baily and post their thoughts. I know George does some great scrimshaw too maybe he will have an idea.

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis



[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 10-13-2000).]
 
Baby Oil is good, Mineral Oil is better. You get the same protection and you knife doesnt smell like a baby's butt!



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Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
Just heard from Mary. She and Joe suggest Lemon, mineral or baby oil. For long term storage or soak it down and wrap it in plastic wrap. They suggest doing this on trips when the humidity and temp will vary to avoid stressing the ivory as much as it would be when it is not protected.

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis
 
Good info...I just received my first ivory-handled knife and I was wondering about the proper "care and feeding" protocol, so I was glad to find this thread. Are these techniques suitable for all types of ivory (i.e., walrus, mammoth, mastodon, etc.)?
 
Before delivery I soak the entire handle in warm mineral oil for 3 days. I reccomend to my clients to submerge the handle twice a year in oil at room temperture for 2 days. Since the time changes twice a year use that as the date you change oil in the handle. Do the same for stag other types of ivories.
jf
 
Jerry, when you say to do the same with stag, are you referring to soaking them in meneral oil too? Also, my Randall has a stag handle, but also has 2 little sections with stacked leather...is it still safe to soak it all?

Thnaks


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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
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I would and do. Wax simply helps prevent the moisture from coming and going. What you want to do is return the ivory/stag back to its orginal state and that is having a bit of oil from the animials natural foods going to his horn/tusk. I just get the mineral oil from the grocery store.
 
Thanks for the info, guys. I'll try my local grocery store for mineral oil. What about preserving wood? Pearl? What about cleaning wood, pearl, and ivory? I was told to get dried glue off stuff, to use nail polish remover. Any other ideas?
 
Japanese sword (choji) oil is great for ivory too. I’ve heard that it’s made from camellia oil in a highly refined mineral oil base and scented with cloves. It smells great! I’ve compared choji oil with regular mineral oil, and it’s much thinner and noticeably less sticky.

I’ve used it for several years as a surface protectant on Japanese swords, non-stainless damascus knives, and various natural handle materials including Elephant and Mammoth ivory, and can highly recommend it. Keep it away from fragile soft metal patinas (like blackened shakudo, shibuichi, or even mokume if you like it dark), as it can lighten them.

It's not a lube, just a protectant. A $10 four oz. bottle lasts several years and one application stays put for a long time, unlike more common (and smelly) petroleum based oils.
 
Yitz- I use Glycerine on Ivories approx. every 4 to5 months I coat and leave on for a few days. For hardwoods you can clean up with 0000 Steel Wool than coat with carnuba wax. I do not do a whole lot to Stag Handles,
Dave
 
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