Oosik Question

D

D.A. Guertin

Joined
Oct 29, 2001
Messages
181
:( Well...I have good news and bad news. The good news is I now have access to (quite literally) a box full of Oosik. The bad news is I don't have the slightest clue what to do with an old walrus's two foot long schlo...ahh...nevermind. The big question is: is it supposed to be all porous and hole-y in the middle, and, if so, how, exactly does one go about using this as a stable and effective knife handle? The last time I tried to use anything so porous (Elk) I wound up having to use a lot of epoxy to fill the pores, and it was rather a woozy experience...Thanks for your time.
 
Redirected to bladesmith area where the questions posed are more likely to be answered.
 
much like the walrus tusks.....the middle is junk unless you use the whole piece for a stick tang type knife.......most people cut the outside off for scales and throw the middle away......I am sure you could sell some of it here if you wanted to......it has great appeal to a lot of knifemakers and users.
 
Yes I would be interested in buying some if you decide to sell it. I will be out of town for a couple of days but leave me an Email. Bruce Bump
 
I love to use OOSIK on handles and haven't had any in a while.Yes it is pithy on the big end but as you get to the other end you should find that it is allot less pourous..
I am also interested in some if you decide to sell any:) Just email me with a price.
Bruce
 
Ahh, so I just avoid the big end, and use the small end. Sounds like a plan. What is the easiest way to cut the big end into scales, using nothing but a hack saw (or is that just a really stupid question)? Thanks for the help guys.
 
D.A.

The guys here like to say that there is no such thing as a stupid question. I'm counting on that, for this one:

How is this stuff, er... harvested?
 
Bandsaw or Hacksaw will cut it fine,Slab it and then grind it flat for scales.You can fill in the pith with super glue gel or epoxy,then flatten it on the grinder..

Seriously no stupid questions,just inquiring minds here on these forums..:D
They Don't really harvest the OOSIK from the animal'They pick up the fossilized pieces that are laying around after a storm or thaw in Alaska..
Bruce :cool:
 
Strange things have been done in the Midnight Sun,
and the story books are full---
But the strangest tale concerns the male,
magnificent walrus bull!
I know it's rude, quite common and crude,
Perhaps it is grossly unkind;
But with first glance at least, this bewhiskered beast,
is as ugly in front as behind.
Look once again, take a second look -- then
you'll see he's not ugly or vile --
There's a hint of a grin, in that blubbery chin --
and the eyes have a shy secret smile.
How can this be, this clandestine glee
that exudes from the walrus like music?
He knows, there inside, beneath blubber and hide
lies a splendid contrivance -- the Oosik!
"Oosik" you say -- and quite well you may,
I'll explain if you keep it between us;
In the simplest truth, though rather uncouth
"Oosik" is, in fact, his penis!
Now the size alone of this walrus bone,
would indeed arouse envious thinking --
It is also a fact, documented and backed,
There is never a softening or shrinking!
This, then, is why the smile is so sly,
the walrus is rightfully proud.
Though the climate is frigid, the walrus is rigid,
Pray, why, is not man so endowed?
Added to this, is a smile you might miss ---
Though the bull is entitled to bow --
The one to out-smile our bull by a mile
is the satisfied walrus cow!
-Anonymous
 
They definately have the bragging rites over us humans that is for sure:D
That is a cool poem..
Bruce
 
Oh I don't know Bruce, when you consider a bull is something like 2-3000 lb.... I'd say it all works out about even :D

Nick
 
Great poem Rebos! I appreciate all of the replies here. The guy who owns all the Oosik is asking anywhere from $5.15 to $5.50 an ounce...seems a little steep to me, but is it about in the ballpark for what is "usual?" Also, I know that mammoth ivoury needs to be cured for 2 - 3 years, does this hold true with Oosik? The guy is in Arkangelsk, and this Oosik, as well as a few hundred pounds of Ivoury, have all been dug out fresh. I already declined the Ivoury for a few years, but I'm still interested in the Oosik. Thanks for the replies all. Take care of yourselves.
 
So about how much oosic, uh, length, volume, or whatever, do you get per ounce of oosic weight?
Bob
 
Sam, I hear they find it in frozen over holes in the ice. It's still a mystery how it gets there.:rolleyes: :o :D
 
Well, the one 'teaser piece' that he sent to me was twelve inches long, 1 1/4" at the large end, 3/4" at the small end, and weighed 9.3 or 9.7 oz (my scale is fubar right now, and I don't remember exactly). His quote was "a little over 1,000 rbl." Basically, about $50 after shipping.
 
Wow!!!
That is a really decent price for a piece that size.That whole piece should be usable.A butcap on the big end will cover the pith and it should fit on a Bowie handle with no problem(hidden tang of coarse)
I wouldn't mind a couple of pieces that size myself if I had the extra money at the moment..I think the last small handle size piece I bought was around $20.00 at a show.
I would use that piece for all hidden tang knives if I was you and not even try to make any scales out of it.
Bruce
 
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