Mammoth ivory makes me mad

Joined
Aug 7, 2001
Messages
80
I'm trying to figure out just what the hell I'm not doing right here, or what I can do to fix or prevent this problem of my ivory wanting to curl up at each end. I use new sharp belts, slow speeds, ever so careful not to even get it the slightest bit too warm :confused: I take great pride in the fit & finish of my knives, as those of you out there who have seen my work, you know I can't have this. It just throws my groove way off! Help!
 
Hi Pat,
I have seen some of your fine work. We can not have that happening.
I have moved a copy of this over to the shop-talk forum also.
 
I sure hope that we aren't talking about one of my incoming pieces;) And if it is......Take your time, I expect nothing short of perfection:D

I don't know the answer, but I'm sure you'll work out. And besides, I just figured this was a great time to welcome you to the forums and bust your chops at the same time:)

Neil
 
Even if the mammoth ivory has been stabilized it is still not stabilized. It has a mind of its own and will twist and squirm with a change in the weather. Thats the price you pay for privledge of ivory. Opinions may vary of course.
 
Bruce pretty much confirms my experience with ivory. I have found that it behaves a little better for me if I give it a good rubdown with baby oil.
 
Have you tried heating it mildly in the oven (150-200) before you start to use it. Then, if you have access, oil-coat it with baby oil or Japanese sword oil and put it in a vacuum for a while. You almost have to impregnate it before you work it or it'll change under your hand. Good luck.
 
Originally posted by Jailhack
I sure hope that we aren't talking about one of my incoming pieces;) And if it is......Take your time, I expect nothing short of perfection:D

I don't know the answer, but I'm sure you'll work out. And besides, I just figured this was a great time to welcome you to the forums and bust your chops at the same time:)

Sorry Neil not yours. I'm saving some of my swearing till next week when I start on your stuff.





:D
 
Hi Pat, welcome to the forum.

You are in the same humidity belt that I am in. 90+ lately. That has alot to do with it. If they are ground flat, but bowed after grinding, try clamping them to a steel bar and putting them in a lower humidity area for a few days. My cigar humidor has had more ivory in it that cigars over the years.
I always bond the ivory to a fiber spacer with Locktite 410 and keep them pressed flat for a day or so. That helps more than anything that I've tried over the years.
 
Hi Kit, thats just what I did before I came in from the shop tonight. Gottem' clamped up sandwitched between a couple steel parallels. Thats exactly what happened, I worked them flat(by hand)no heat at all & 10min later, damn! I guess the humdidity would play a big part even though my shop is air conditioned but shop is built inside my formally 2 1/2 now 1 car(wife's of course) garage. I insulated the shop entirely but still the rest of the garage gets hot as hell and that little ole 5000btu unit just has to work so hard. Damn near have ta get naked when I fire the oven up!
 
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