finishing ivory

C

'cacci

Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
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I'm in the process of completing a couple of ivory handled folders. I've taken the surface to 2000 grit on the ivory. Is there a recommended final step? Should I apply an oil, spray some clear finish or do anything else? After what I've done so far, it does seem to attract dirt or other unwanted discoloring material.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jerry Marcacci
'cacci
 
Well, if it's mammoth ivory all you need to do is to give it a very light buff with no scratch pink and you will certainly see all the beauty come through ! Frank
 
Thanks, Frank. No, this is (I assume) elephant ivory, with a creamy white, though slightly irregular luster. Because it seems so willing to accept any dirt, grime, metal grit from my fingers, I'm wondering whether I should take an additional step or just make sure my hands are clean when I handle the knives!!

'cacci
 
Ivory needs to be polished. Either buff it, or "shoe-shine" buff it with Simichrome or a similar polish. Then apply paste wax.
 
I'm sure you mean fossilized walrus ivory, right? RIGHT!!! Elephant ivory is a no-no now without documentation that it came in before... (I forget the specifics.)

Be careful, ok. There is a big thread about ivory in the Custom Knives subforum here. All you guys working ivory - read it. (I need to re-read it too.) I know Alpha Knife Supply completely stopped carrying it and I have many customers in other countries, so I've pretty much stopped using it too.
 
I had fossil walrus tusk do that to me recently. It went away after a week in the local climate. It was doing what it sounds like you say yours is doing to you too.
 
Sand to a very fine grit with Alox paper. SC will leave black streaks. On ivory, I use a set of the 3M polishing papers which go to 8000 grit, and then hand buff with a soft cotton cloth. Some folks apply a coat of hard wax and buff it by hand to seal the ivory. Don't apply oil, as it just attracts dirt and stains. Mask off any adjacent metal when sanding and buffing, as the metal swarf will also stain the ivory.

Avoid heat in power buffing...hand buffing is better unless you have a VS buffer. If power buffing use a clean combed linen wheel and matchless white compound.....slow speed....and light pressure.
 
Ivory doesn't contain oil naturally. Oils can actually soften and discolor ivory.
 
Exactly.
I have seen ivory stained and ruined by oiling. I never understood the commonly given advice to use baby oil on ivory. It crops up often on the internet and even in books.

On the same note, oiled leather sheaths can stain an ivory handles knife. Neatsfoot oil seems the worst, as it has an amber color.
 
Because it hasn't doesn't mean it won't.
Maybe that's why yours are cracked.....
 
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