working with mammoth ivory i have a few questions

[BLADECARVER]

i have a few questions about working with mammoth ivory... is there anything that needs to be done to the ivory to keep it white? what is the best method for polishing the ivory to high gloss? is there any special procedure for drilling it? cutting it? sanding it? and is it toxic to work with? sorry about all the questions but i figure i would like to get it right the first time ivory is not cheap thanks

 

[Jared Stenoien]

what's the point in getting white mamoth ivory??? I thought the reason it's so sought after is because of the colors, seems like walrus tusk would be just as good as white mammoth ivory and not nearly as expensive...

 

[Kevin Cross]

I've done several mammoth ivory handles and here is what I have learned: easily cut with bandsaw, jigsaw or jewlers saw, drills easily with sharp bits (I usually use a new one), sanding is easy but you must go very slow...build up too much heat and the ivory will crack. I take it to 600 then CR and 51 on loose buffs at 1750 rpm. Charles Turnage in Texas sells a lot of mammoth ivory and could give you more tips. I believe he is going to be at the Blade Show in a couple of weeks. good luck, Kevin

 

[jlmetcalf]

A lot of the mammoth ivory that you see for sale has not been out of the ground very long and is probably not completly dry. If you use ivory that is not completly cured it will shrink after the knife is finished.. guaranteed.

I like to cut mammoth ivory to rough shape and allow it to cure for at least two years before I use it.

The vast majority of elephant ivory for sale in the U.S. is old "estate ivory" that completly cured years ago and can normally be put on a knife with minimal waiting.

Jim