Protecting Ivory Handles??

Joined
Mar 12, 1999
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377
I recently read that storing knives with ivory handles can be risky if they rest on material that has been dyed or has some other properties that could leach into the ivory; since ivory is porous it can be discolored. I have a few ivory pieces strored in a chest where the drawers are covered in green felt. Do I have a potential problem? Is there something I should put on the felt to protect the ivory?
Thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Jumbi,
I have no experience with ivory handles (yet). But, I would be interested in any responses on this subject. It would seem to me that there is a possibility that damage could occur.
Storage of knives (by many) are done much the same way you do, with felt lined drawers. I haven't heard any horror stories yet, but I always have my ears open (eyes in this case).
smile.gif


--The Raptor--
 
Ivory is a very troublesome material indeed. It does absorb colors from material it is stored against. Green felt would be a big no-no. Also, Ivory dries out and shrinks over time. It's not unusual to find ivory inserts on older knives that are falling out because they've shrunk. If you have a new ivory piece, you should treat it with mineral oil (available at any drug store) every six months or so. I'd suggest storing ivory handled pieces in a case from Bill's Custom Cases.

I have a wonderful balisong with handles made entirely out of ivory and it lives in a Bill's Custom Case.

Think W!

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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com

[This message has been edited by Gollnick (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
Jumbi,

I'm a distributor for the cases, I'll
e-mail you a price list. If anyone else wants
info let me know.

Win Heger
 
Ivory seems to love oils, I use olive oil and wipe it off afterwards, and it hates water, keep it dry and at a reasonably constant temperature. Also, Ivory does change color with age and exposure to light and it will absorb colors from anything it touches that is not completely color fast, including the pigments and oils from adjoining woods and other materials in finished pieces. I think that it is one of the individual beauties of the material, aside from just loving the way the stuff machines! Store knives on something white, or ivory colored, cotton works well, or silk, good luck
 
I just acquired a Mastadon Ivory folder and wonder if I should treat the Mastadon Ivory with mineral oil as suggested above for "new" ivory pieces. Do you treat "old" ivory differently than "new" ivory.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
My e-mail is: scuba123@clarityconnect.com

Thank you,
Carl G

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"Speak softly and carry a big stick"...TR


 
:
You could get some of the thicker acid free artist mat paper at your local art supply and cover the green felt with pieces cut to fit.
I use it to protect my regalia dance feathers that are very hard to come by.
And feathers are harder to keep nice since they also have to be protected from insects.


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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Jerry Fisk had an article in the last Knives Illustrated about ivory handles. He reccomends soaking them in mineral oil for 8 hours every 6 months. He also said when you keep them in a case like Bill's cases to leave them slightly open so the ivory can breath. There were more directions for before the knife is made but I think we're talking about knives already purchased,right? He also reccomended the same method for stag handles to avoid shrinking and cracking in the future.

See Jerry, and you thought I wasn't paying attention
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