Questions about "Mammoth" Inlays

Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
738
I notice that the Mammoth inlays are much more expensive than any of the other inlays. I have to ask, What exactly is "Mammoth", is it a wood or some for of ivory?

Answering that will probably answer my second questions as to why they are so expensive.
 
it is ancient elephant ivory-- wooly mammoths were a kind of northern hairy elephant that went extinct 50k years ago-- its cool stuff, partially mineralized ivory.

I just got a price quoted actually from a company 19 thousand euro for a single 49 kilogram tusk in perfect condition.
 
yes, it's quite amazing to handle something that old.
one benefit of global warming, the receding ice fields are exposing it.

i once handled a folder made by Peter Carey that was a big wow .
mammoth scale, stellite blade, bolster cut from a meteorite.
 
yes, it's quite amazing to handle something that old.
one benefit of global warming, the receding ice fields are exposing it.

i once handled a folder made by Peter Carey that was a big wow .
mammoth scale, stellite blade, bolster cut from a meteorite.
 
bark is the outer most layer of the tusk, usually the most discolored and infiltrated by minerals, they are also harvesting these from the northern sea, so we will have mammoth ivory for a very long time hopefully, it could be banned with the rest; not sure
 
OK, I get mammoth ivory, but what is mammoth "bark"?

Mammoth bark as explained is the cracked outer part of a tusk. The thing that drives up the prices of bark over mammoth cream ivory (the tusk core) is the green and blue tones it can have from oxidation and/or "mineral action". You can pay hundreds of dollars just for the handle on some knives with mammoth. :)
 
Here's a Howser with mammoth bark, and a Lloyd I just purchased off the exchange with mammoth ivory.

It's kind of amazing when you figure this stuff is over 10,000 years old. Least that's what I read when I googled it.

I know it makes a nice scale for your knife.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    93 KB · Views: 74
:D Mommoth bark is the sound mammoths used to make.:D I know, dumb joke. To me mammoth bark is the better scale material because every piece is unique. The patterns of the cracks and colors can be awesome.
 
There's also mammoth tooth and bone, I think the patterns and colors in mammoth tooth are perfect for dress knives, almost pearl-like in luster, but more colorful.
 
.... and you heard/read this ... where?

I believe that is true, I heard CRK were having trouble getting mammoth of good enough quality and volume for their uses. After the stocks they have dry up that would be it unless there was some luck along the way. Given the attitude towards ivory of any sort thesedays it was probably never going to be that long before it got canned anyway.
 
Here is some more information on Mammoth from a old post
Fossil ivory comes from three sources—it is either walrus ivory that has been buried for hundreds to thousands of years or it is 10,000-plus-year-old ivory from the long extinct woolly mammoth or mastodon. All of these ivories have been buried for centuries and have absorbed minerals from the soil that have turned them varying colors from tan, orange, golden brown, and chocolate brown to even black; occasionally a blue or green color is also seen. This ivory is not truly fossilized in the sense that the ivory has been replaced with minerals/stone; it is really just beginning to become mineralized. It is in the earliest stages of fossilization and is just slightly harder than fresh ivory. "Fossil" ivory can be cut or worked with the same tools that regular ivory is worked with as listed below, the only difference you may notice is that due to the minerals it generally has a rather unpleasant smell when it is being sawn or sanded and it takes an even better shine than fresh ivory. Most "fossil" walrus ivory is found in the form of Eskimo artifacts, usually sled runners, large chopping tools (adzes or mauls) or net weights; this is because the Eskimo had lots of ivory and very little good wood. The Eskimo dig for these artifacts during the warm summer months at ancient village sites.
 
.... and you heard/read this ... where?

From a CR dealer and I asked CR to confirm. This is their reply:


Von: "Chris Reeve Knives" <crkinfo@chrisreeve.com>
Datum: 29. Juli 2014 00:25:47 MESZ
An:
Betreff: RE: Question regarding mammoth ivory inlay Sebenza

Stefan,
Thank you for your email. You heard correctly in that we are no longer taking orders on Mammoth Ivory or Mammoth Bark. It is getting harder to source and the laws are becoming more restrictive regarding the sale and use
of it. Please let me know if you have any more questions.
All the best,

Heather O'Donnell

Chris Reeve Knives
2949 S. Victory View Way
Boise, ID 83709
208-375-0367
 
It is sad that it will no longer be offered, but on a selfish note I am kind of happy about it. I can get about 2 Sebenza's for what I pay for one bark ivory knife.
 
Back
Top