Hippo Tusk

[Geoff Wood]

I was lucky enough to pick up a pair of Hippo Tusks from an antique fair. They are over 20" long (including the hollow part)
How do I go about cutting them to avoid waste? Are the hollow bits any use? How does Hippo differ from Ivory interms of working and esteem?

 

[AchimW]

There's some things you have to do to work with hippo ivory. First, this stuff has a very hard thin outer shell that will destroy any file or grinding belt in a VERY short time. You have to get rid of that first. It can be (carefully!) peeled/chipped off with a small chisel or ground off with a hard stone. But beware of the grinding dust! It is extremely dangerous to breath it and it stinks like hell. Work outside and wear a good respirator.
Next problem is the tendency of hippo to crack, even more than other ivories. Even if stored with great care the hippo teeth tend to crack lengthwise in one great crack. I have used the resulting halves and they didn't crack any more.
The ivory itself is one of the most beautiful. It is perfect white and looks almost more like porcelain than like ivory.
You may use the thicker parts of the hollow to make grip scales for small knives, inlay work or maybe a pendant for your girl.

Achim

 

[tom mayo]

very good advice....the stuff is SUPER hard, especially the outside enamel! the outside sparks when grinding it! Lloyd Pendleton uses a lot of that stuff.

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http://www.mayoknives.com




[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 08-30-2000).]

 

[Geoff Wood]

Thanks for you info & advice. I will keep the Hippo tusk for very special items. But first I will attempt to remove the outer enamel without choking myself.

 

[Possum]

Howdy There....!
All the advice that you have received is great the only thing that I could add is to store them in a controled climate. DO NOT store them in your shop if it is not controlled. That is usually why and how they crack. Good luck....!
"Possum"


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Thomas Clegg