Taking care of ivory?

[dondford]

I just purchased my first knife with a ivory handle and plan to use it as a EDC; fixed blade in a wallet type sheath. Any suggestions on taking care of the ivory?

Thanks,
Don
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[Michael Starr]

EDC - I'd use Ren Wax. Mineral and Ballistol oil are also good but messy.

 

[flava]

Hmm, I'm not sure about wax on an EDC knife. Doesn't it get soft when you hold the knife (from the body heat)?

 

[jackreacher]

Ren Wax about once a month will protect your Ivory very nicely :thumbup:

 

[The Savage Rabbit]

Elephant ivory or other?

 

[Sal Glesser]

I learned, at an East Coast Bladesmith's convention, from the late great Jim Schmidt, that "old" ivory will do well if soaked overnight in Baby oil several times a year. He said he prefered Johnson's.

I wear an ivory necklace that I've been soaking in baby oil several times a year for many many years. So far so good.

sal

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

By all means use Baby Oil on ivory. I soak a rag in it and wrap that around the grip.

 

[TAH]

I prefer mineral oil so my knife doesn't smell like a baby.

Also, beware of sudden changes in temperature. If your knife has been inside a warm building and is then suddenly exposed to the frigid outdoors, the ivory may crack.

 

[dondford]

Elephant ivory or other?

Elephant (pre ban of course) it is a little Gent type Barry Dawson w/2 inch damascus blade (Brad Vice) with nice file work and ivory scales.

Don

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Baby oil is mineral oil. It is available scented, and non-scented. I just plain old mineral oil. 24 hours after soaking in the mineral oil, I apply Ren Wax. In my experience, it doesn't get soft from handling.

 

[The Savage Rabbit]

Is this needed for mammoth ivory as well? If so, what if the ivory is coated with a super glue like substance?

 

[Will Power]

How about the cleaning of old ivory ornaments?

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Is this needed for mammoth ivory as well? If so, what if the ivory is coated with a super glue like substance?

If the mammoth ivory has been stabilized, it does not require mineral oil. If the stabilizing was done correctly, the oil would not penetrate the surfae of the ivory. Ren Wax would still be fine, but not required.

 

[Kevin Jones]

I use Camellia oil for both my forged blades and Ivory. It seems to stay on blades longer without evaporating and gives just the right sheen. Works good on the Ivory too. Just coat it real good about once every three months.
I like the convenience of using one product for both. The Japanese have been using Camellia oil to coat their sword blades for hundreds of years.
Some oils I have used get gummy and attract dust.