Legality of using a material from an extinct animal

[statmonster]

I'm confused about using the legality of Steller's Sea Cow rib bone as a material for making knife handle scales. Is it legal in the US as a "once living mammal" material ?

 

[Bob Ohlemann]

Mammoths are extinct and their teeth and ivory are used all the time. I can't see any reason why it would be a problem to use the Steller's Sea Cow considering they've been extinct for a good 250 years. Just be sure it isn't manatee.

Bob

 

[statmonster]

Mammoths are extinct and their teeth and ivory are used all the time. I can't see any reason why it would be a problem to use the Steller's Sea Cow considering they've been extinct for a good 250 years. Just be sure it isn't manatee.

Bob

Thanks Bob! Somehow I wasn't sure it fell in the same category as Mammoth Ivory, but I can see where that would be true.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

When people ask about the legality of mammoth, sea cow, etc. I always respond, "They aren't endangered species anymore."

 

[VaughnT]

The biggest problem is the new legislation going through the feds right now. Basically, the onus is on you to prove that it isn't illegal ivory, and that continues all the way through to the buyer. We might be able to recognize that it's fossilized, but the inspector might be a complete idiot, and if you don't have proof...

Here's a link to a discussion on another forum that might shed light on the matter better than I can explain it. http://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?showtopic=28791

The gist I get is that it's really not in my best interest to use anything that even remotely resembles ivory.

 

[Mark Knapp]

It is legal to use Steller Sea Cow bone, it looks nothing like ivory so there shouldn't be a problem in that regard. The problem is that some whale bone is being sold as Steller Sea Cow bone. Officials are very nervous about it. Boilogist in the US fish and wildlife service have been trying to find a test to readily discern between the two, so enforcement can prosecute those selling whale bone. It is for this reason that I quite dealing in Sea Cow. If your supplier is not reputable it is probably wise to stay away from stuff sold as Sea Cow bone.