The case of the shrinking Mastadon

KenOnion · May 1, 2000

Any tips out there ?
I've done all I know to do ,Dry box ,dessicants ,Stabilizing ,Wax,Linseed oil,super glue,floor wax,tung oil,You name it I've done it .
I love Ivory especially Mamoth however I can't seem to keep it from shrinking. any one got a cure? A tip ? A secret stabilizing place to go ?

I"M DESPARATE!!!!

Bruce Evans · May 1, 2000

I'm going to say that being in a tropical environment is going to mess with it alot.You might try having somebodt you trust dry it in a very less humid environment then get it stabilized so it wont swell when you get it.or try Kilndrying like they do to lumber,I dont know what this might do to Ivory-Cracks and things-But it can be done slow.....I do know from experience that here in Ms. that even 2 or 3 year old stag,that in the summer works great but in the winter if I dont bring it in the house for a while it will shrink after I bring the knife in the house when finished.I guess it's the humidity at that time of year...Just my opinion and findings,Bruce http://bladesmithing.isfun.net

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Ellis · May 1, 2000

Ken- Dave Ellis here. No effective way of stabilizing any ivory. Occupational hazard. Shrinks, swells, checks, that is very common with all ivories. When I finish sand I cover with superglue which helps a bit but nothing stops mother nature. Sorry.
Dave Ellis, ABS, M.s. http://www.mastersmith.com
Hope all is well.

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L6steel · May 1, 2000

This might sound stupid, but could you duplicate the environment that makes it shrink so it will shrink before you put it on a knife?

Michael

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tom mayo · May 2, 2000

u need to come see me.....I have a BIG bottle of anerobic super glue...the kind they put on seals that are way down inside.. soak the ivory in that for about a week..it seeps way down into the pores...take it out. it goes off...stablized...Glenn Hornby turned me onto this long ago...he did a lot of experiments with the stuff....gives the ivory a nice subtle change in hue.

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the4th · May 3, 2000

Have you tried Viagra? That helped Bob Dole's "shrinking Mastodon."

Bruce Evans · May 3, 2000

Hey Tom,Where do you get it,and will it work on Stag-Wood ? ....Thanks, Bruce

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The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!! Akti # A000223

KenOnion · May 4, 2000

Tom ,
You come over to my house almost every week bragging about your new TNT knife and begging me to make more of them for you

( I'm kidding ) and you never once turned me on to this stuff. Remind me to do a Rambo on your ass next time I see you!

I'll take ten gallons if it works.

Seriously turn me on to this stuff remember I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!

Aloha!!! Ken Onion

tom mayo · May 4, 2000

u neva ask thats why!

T. J. · May 4, 2000

Ken
You mentioned stabilizing, but didn't clarify. Did you mean that you have sent some out for vacuum/pressure stabilization and it still had problems? If so who did it for you? If not, you might look into it.

James

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