To ivory, or not to ivory?

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Frank- not trying to throw a spanner in the works here - but isn't this the op question on whether having an Ivory scaled knife rides with " real knife guys". Doesn't this bring into the discussion the ethics of the use of Ivory?
 
Primble said:
All of you should be ashamed of yourselves for having them ivory folders. If any of you feel the least bit of remorse, you can pack them up and send them to me for proper disposition.

Thank you very much.

P.

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Aaaaaah.Ze lerv of ivoire.Eez it not a wernderful theeng?
 
Elsewhere, our regular French contributor Jollipapa mentioned 'vegetable ivory' (Corozo), which has been used for many years, primarily for the manufacture of buttons. I'd never heard of it before, and was interested to read about it. I wonder if we'll see it used on knives in future years?
 
Growing up we had a 100 year old piano with ivory keys. The keys that got the most use were a darker yellow color. Beautiful stuff. I don't own any knives with ivory handles, though.
 
knarfeng said:
Nope.
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Ok, I am reading the beginning of the op's Thread wrong then! Flipping of the wig of the liberal fellow and all?

recon0317 said:
I get the whole "don't kill the elephants" thing. I do. But my understanding is that a lot of the ivory scales/covers/handles on most newer knives come from repurposed ivory, from old pianos and such. I think ivory is beautiful, although it's not exactly a "working" handle material, like G10, micarta, or even wood. Anyways, I had just gotten ahold of a nice ivory handled knife, and this liberal fellow I know about flipped hos wig over it. Was wondering what the opinions of the real "knife guys" was. Picked up an Ivory Madison Barlow. Very new to traditiinals, but just love this knife. Might be too nice to use, but just....damn it's beautiful.
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I try to obtain ( if I can ) most Ivory - especially the older Ivory knives that I can - if I can afford it at that time - nothing...well ok maybe Stag comes close - but nothing ages so beautifully than Ivory, Its a shame that Ivory is prone to cracking because of Ambient Surrounding Conditions - but when you get Bark Ivory that has aged - Whew...Hard to beat. This coming from someone who cares massively of our other friends on Earth.

I was surprised to hear that Piano keys were thinly Veneered Ivory and not solid - if this is the case in all - or simply most cases?
 
There was a period here during the early 1960's, where en masse Britons got rid of their old pianos and replaced them with TVs. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of pianos were destroyed. When my folks got rid of ours, I was just a young boy, I remember asking if I could have the keys. I was allowed a few, but they were just wood with a synthetic veneer rather than ivory :(
 
I remember my parents had a Ivory Hair brush set when I was young - it also had Silver Shields on each piece- no doubt a very very nice set -that had the most exquisite Engraving that a child of my age could never decipher, where that set is these days I have no idea - but I remember the weight of the mans Hair brush - or was it a Clothes Brush? - it had no long handle - you held it in your palm as it was Oval and HEAVY! that would do a few Slippies now.
 
I don't know about ivory not being a "working" handle material... I have a small ivory handled skinner, and although I've never used it (safe queen), I have gripped and squeezed it as hard as I can, and I get zero hot spots. It's definitely the most comfortable handle I've ever had in my hand.

As far as the ethical side of things, I don't really care. Of course I think that killing elephants for their ivory is a terrible thing to do, but I don't feel guilty about having an ivory handled knife. The ivory was going to be used for something.

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"But my understanding is that a lot of the ivory scales/covers/handles on most newer knives come from repurposed ivory, from old pianos and such"

I'm the only person I know who reuses old piano keys. And early FIRTH stainless. :D

Best regards

Robin
 
draggat said:
These threads usually don't have longevity because of the political charge associated with elephant ivory. Obviously, I'm fine with it because I do own two knives with it. One is a Protech Stinger and the other is this GEC French Kate.



From what I've read about elephant ivory is that it checks over time, yellows and mellows, but responds well to mineral oil. It's different than bone in that it has a creamy, streaked appearance. It also has a warmth in the hand that is different than bone. Nothing quite compares to real elephant ivory..... at least nothing that I've come across.

As to its sturdiness on a knife handle, I don't know for sure since I haven't carried mine, but I would say it's safe to assume that anything short of heavy duty or beater usage should be fine. Elephant ivory was extremely common on knives in the past and I don't think makers would continue to use it if it wasn't fairly stable. Well, unfortunately, they can't continue to use it here.

I will say that elephant hide is extremely durable. I have a wallet and a belt keyper made from it and they look as new as they did the day I bought them, 5 years ago!

Enjoy that mammoth ivory and ignore the haters and complainers!
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This is a really cool looking knife! I have a few of them, Not handle in ivory (I wish!)
 
I'm good with the use of ivory.

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Broadway Jack (Non EO)

Case IV254
 
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I don't actually think it looks that good on a knife...plus it's fragile. I suspect a lot of the draw is the 'Costalot Factor' anyway. Don't care for MOP or that ghastly Snail Shell stuff either:barf:. Ivory looks better on the owner, so no I wouldn't buy it, ever.
 
Without getting into the ethical side, I'd rather have any of the synthetic ivory-like micarta products anyway. More durable and stable. White paper micarta is one of my favorites.

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Nothing like the feel of a well stocked ivory knife or firearm! Beautiful pics everyone!:thumbup:
 
I use Walrus Ivory which is legally harvested by the Inuit people theof North. Very solid, no rings and a wonderful surface of solid pressure cracking. This one is trimmed with Mammoth and piano key ivory spacers
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Best regards

Robin
 
So is this Mammoth Ivory handle on my Barlow going to be delicate? Just wondering if it's ok to use, or if I should trade it off for a micarta or wood handle. I want to use it, not just let it sit in a drawer. But at the same time, I don't want to mess it up.
 
Pipeman said:
They were fun to make Jack. Old First stainless butter knives gave their old lives for the cause.:D They made scary sharp paring knives.
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Excellent, that was my guess at the source, really nice work :thumbup:
 
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