Straightening Ivory scales

[ken erickson]

I am a maker of slipjoints and recently been using more and more pre-ban Elephant ivory. I am working some that the customer supplied and I am getting a bow to my frame and scale after the scale is glued and pinned on. The scale is around .100 thick. I was sent just enough to do the one knife and do not have enough to replace at this point. I would like to straighten without taking the scale off the frame.

Has anyone had luck straightening ivory? Overbending in a jig perhaps and letting relax to straight?

Any Ideas or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Ken Erickson

 

[Russ Andrews]

If the scales are bowed outward, it will be because of one
of three possible causes.

The ivory expanded....Did you use heat to speed curing of the adhesive...?

The adhesive expanded as it cured.

The scaled were fitted/installed too tightly.

All three possibilities involve stresses which tend to push the
ends further apart...causing a bow.

IF this is what is happening, the only cure will be to remove the scale,
and refit...

 

[ken erickson]

Thanks for the input Russ.

I used slow cure gel superglue. clamped the liners to a straight edge and let cure for two days. I leave the scales a bit loose. One scale stayed straight as an arrow.

Ken