Recommendation? Processing Whale Teeth

Howard1

Howard1

Joined
Jan 16, 2017
Messages
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I have two whale teeth that were a legacy from my Wife's grandfather. They are at least 75 years old. I would like to cut them into full tang scales to create 5 bread knives as a legacy to the 5 grandchildren. The family has approved this. A couple of questions:
1- I am afraid to cut them as I have had no experience with ivory. Is there someone out there who can turn the teeth into scales?
2- There are now two states that outlaw all ivory and whale teeth. These won't be sold, but I would not like them to be subject to appropriation by an ever vigilant protector of all things moral. I live in Maryland. What can we expect going forward?
Thanks in advance for any help with this.
 
I dont want to detract from your question, but I'd love to see the size and scale of them.

I found a cross section of whale teeth online that might give you some idea of what they look like inside.
WTSL01.jpg
 
Chapter 11, Volume 1, of "Art of the Cutler" J.J.Perret (1771) All about how to work the old, now exotic, handle materials. I don't know how your french is, but the pictures are awesome.

The old french is tough, but the PICTURES on cutting materials were detailed if I recall. By now there should be a few downloadable versions online. The chapters Bernard Levine translated years ago are not applicable to your question.
 
I cut them on the band saw. I have used the metal band saw as well as the wood saw. You want a fine tooth blade if you use a wood saw.
The best way is to epoxy them on a piece of 1X4 at the tip and root so it sits in the position you want to cut it at. I call this a "sled". While you can cut freehand, I find it much better to set the fence on the band saw. If your saw doesn't have a fence, just clamp a 2X4 to the table. Mark the centerline with a sharpie to be sure the cut is where you want it. Start at the tip end and cut own the tooth. When done, just pop the halves off the board by cutting the epoxy spots with a chisel.

This method works great for any odd shaped object you want to cut, be it a stag horn, piece of tusk, tooth, or a piece of fossil material. It also allows the ability to make multiple slices.
 
Similar to Stacys epoxy job,
I use a hotglue gun.

Materials what can stand the waste of a fatter kerf, I use tablesaw. Its a smoother cut and easier to lap to perfectly flat.
 
I also occasionally use the table saw when slabbing a big piece of fossil ivory, but didn't mention it because it can be more dangerous for such a cut.
 
Boxer .45 said:
I dont want to detract from your question, but I'd love to see the size and scale of them.

I found a cross section of whale teeth online that might give you some idea of what they look like inside.
WTSL01.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. As soon as I can figure out how to post I will do so.
 
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