regarding ivory

V

Vendelcrow

Joined
Jan 31, 1999
Messages
16
This forum is new to me, and I sincerely hope that I dont make any misstake when I ask where it is possible to get hold of fossil ivorys to fair prices. Preferable from someone who livs in Alaska. Theres a lot of ivory available in Russia, but I do not want to get involved with their mob.


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Vendelcrow
 
Not sure if you are wanting colourful mammoth or plain for scrimming, but either way I would contact Rick Fields.

Rick is argueably your best scrimshander (and a member of the Knifemakers Guild) so he understands the requirements for the various ivories, pigmentation, patterning, etc. He is able to provide whole pieces, or pre-cut sections.

Rick B. Fields
26401 Sandwich Place
Mt. Plymouth FL 32776 USA
Ph. 352-383-6270
Fax 352-383-6270
 
Thanks a lot, HiltonP. I will try to get in contact with Mr. Rick B Fields. I think I have seen some of his scrim in a knife magazine, if I remember it correct it was a steamtrain surrounded by bisons, it was fantastic. Do you know if he can be reached by Email ?
Regards
Vendelcrow

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Vendelcrow
 
You're thinking of the right guy . . . that piece of scrim was on a Frank Centofante linerlock and formed part of a series. Fantastic work!

I have not seen an e-Mail address for Rick, and would be interested in knowing it myself.

An idea . . . when you contact Rick consider giving him a drawing of your knife handle. He might well be able to match it with a section of mammoth that follows the line and/or shape of the design. It's worth a try and costs you nothing.

Regards, HILTON
 
You might try looking at www.woodworksltd.com they have all sorts of fossil ivory, both Mammoth and Walrus. I have purchased Mammoth Bark from them on several occasions for my knives and have always been pleased. Their prices are as reasonable as any I have found. Another source is www.bctrading.com .
Hope this helps.
Mike Conner
P.S. Look at www.simonichknives.com under the kits section, there is a picture of a Mammoth Ivory Cetan that I made using one of Robs' Cetan AST-34 blades, the Ivory came from BC Trading

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mconner@luminatorusa.com
 
Thank you Drop point for two more places, where it is possible to get ivory from a reliable source. I have not had the time to check their sites yet (I´ve been away for a few days). I must say that Blade Forum is a great place, knifemakers helping other knifemakers is the way to go! And others who check the topics, might also find usefull answers.
Thank you Drop point.
PS, Also thanks to HiltinP

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Vendelcrow
 
I use a lot of mammoth ivory. Some from Rick Fields. He's a very good supplier with superior merchandise. Not cheap, but good stuff.

Couple of ivory handled knives on my webpage, both of which have Rick's ivory. Take a look:
http://www.livingston.net/mayor

Some tips: Wear a GOOD respirator, not one of those little paper disposables, either. Stuff will make you really sick if inhaled.

Work with a good sharp belt. Heat will scorch it and ruin the piece. Dull belts build up heat much worse than new ones.

Keep it dry. It often comes from the supplier pretty wet. A few weeks in a drying cabinet, or in your hvac chase behind the filter is a good idea. Don't even think about dunking it in the water bucket while grinding. It has a high shrink/swell tendency.

It also has a tendency to check or split along the long axis, particularly if it is installed wet and shrinks. Keep any pins or thongholes well away from the ends of the scales.



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Ben R. Ogletree, Jr.
 
Thanks Mayor,
Many knifemakers seems to recommend Rick Fields, and theres must be a reason.
The info on how to handle and treat ivory, was appreciated.
I checked out your site, and I must say that you have some nice knives there. I understand why the ivory handled intro knife,
made you become a member of the Guild.
Regards,
Leif B.

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Vendelcrow
 
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