Mammoth Tooth info needed

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
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Are the different color variations natural or is id dyed? I thought it was dyed but was told other wise by somebody recently.

How does it hold up for EDC use compared to ivory. More brittle i'd think? When I drop an ivory knife, it dents but doesn't break or chip. I wonder what this stuff would do if it hits concrete. Any info would be appreciated. I am looking at some in my near future so I need to learn.

Remember, its for EDC... not a display queen.
 
I don't believe it is colored, that's the way it comes out of the ground. I've been told it's brittle and I'd probably not want it on a hard use knife. For office duty it'd be fine.

Here's one I have:
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The scales you see with the weird colors like pink, green and blue have been dyed. The natural color are more earth tones or black. It is a PITA to work with because some areas are harder than others. It is sometimes brittle and can fracture or chip.
 
Jon,
The tooth is definitely an eye catching material. Charles Turnage dies a lot of his that he sells. Mammoth tooth without a doubt will shatter if it hits concrete. I'll only use it as an interframe inlay to trap it inside borders.
 
I've never used it before so anything I say is strictly anecdotal. I have heard from a ton of makers that it's seriously brittle and chips like crazy, sort of like coral. I'm inclined to agree with Don on this one...if you're planning to use it on an EDC, you might be in for a headache man!
 
Jon, you are getting good info. The muted colors are natural just like in mammoth ivory. If it is bright yellow or hot purple, etc, it has been dyed. I have worked a fair amount of it and it is very brittle and fractures easily between the bands of enamel and dentin. IF you had bolsters on both ends to protect it, you might be ok. But if it hits a rock or concrete just right , it could easily chip.
Kevin
 
I don't like the material either and never have. It doesn't sound stable and I dont like the looks of it. For background I am most likely making a trade for a folder that I otherwise really like and I will probably get the scales switched out to ivory.

Edit- when I said every day carry, I meant once in a while carry. But again, its something I would get switched out ASAP.
 
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Talking with Charles Turnage about working it he said work it slow and have a quart of CA on hand to fill the cracks that come to the surface. I have some but it is sitting in the cabinet until I do a full framed handle or the like.
 
Jon, I agree with others, though it can be quite beautiful it's very brittle and not practical for carry.
 
I have carried this Bob Crowder a few times a month over the last few years, partying, outdoors, traveling. I have never had a problem, but I don't tend to drop my knives. Bob's sheath's provide full outside protection for the handle, too.

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Kris
 
Hopefully this will be switched out with some mammoth or white elephant Ivory. What would you choose? BTW I know this style is not my normal collecting habit but Crawford made my first ever handmade knife and I will ALWAYS enjoy Crawford knives. I have a lot of respect for them and I credit them for influencing other makers, even Emerson with creating real ergonomic handles. I think they did it first with the Kasper, then Emerson and others followed. Yes, Bob Kasper actually influenced the Crawfords but they did it! Alot of us ABS guys never get a chance to see what one of these knives actually feels like in hand!


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