whale vertabrae-- has anyone used

[marekz]

hello, has anyone ever used whale vertabrea for scales.handles?--thanks marekz

 

[Russ Andrews]

Perhaps you've already checked...?
The Marine Mammals Act.....

Maybe just me, but I think I'd steer clear.

 

[marekz]

well i have a piece of whale vertabrae that ie " 26 million years old". its a nice piece and since i just got it today-i wondered if it could be used for knifes- marekz

 

[John L]

I have used whale bone many times. I have it stabilized first..but you do not have to. It is much like Stellars sea cow or walrus bone. Looks pretty much the same. Color is from an ivory white to dark tan. Most is about the color of cardboard or just a bit lighter. If stabilized it darkens quite a bit. I like it as I like most natural materials.

 

[marekz]

ill post a picture as soon as my wife gets home with the camera--marekz

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I use very old and fossil bone often. I have used 25 million year old whale vertebrae and rib bones, dinosaur bone, ancient walrus ,Steller's sea cow, and a good bit of mammoth bone. It works like a hard wood, and makes excellent Use fresh belts and avoid heat build up. If the material is completely mineralized, and truly petrified, it takes a bit more work to use it.
Redrum,a maker on this forum, uses a lot of this type of material, so you could ask him for any special advice.
Stacy