On mammoth ivory...

[Don Hanson III]

Joe, yeah I'll take the morning off and back in the shop this afternoon...Maybe. :emot-yarr:

Jon, that knife and the other one are finished. Will send them back tomorrow. They look very good but I have no pics...

 

[ScottRoush]

the one thing I can tell you as that once you start buying ivory.. walrus or mammoth.. best of luck to you.

 

[Mike Davis]

Ivory is my favorite material to work with so far. I love the warmth and the way it polishes. I enjoy carving it and am learning to scrimshaw, and well...nothing scrims as well as ivory I did notice that some of the darker mammoth seems to have more mineralization and is harder to scrim. P.S. Don...I am going to come visit..and uhhh...look

 

[Jim Coffee]

Jonathon, you made a comment about not letting mammoth ivory dry out. My question is, what do you guys use to keep it moist? And how often do you need to treat it?

 

[David Stifle]

Jim, don't know for sure, but everthing I've read says to soak it in mineral oil once in awhile. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chip in.

 

[argel55]

One thing I have been told when you are grinding it and it gets warm do NOT dip in water. I keep an aluminum block close to lay it down on to disapate the heat.

 

[RogerP]

Jim, don't know for sure, but everthing I've read says to soak it in mineral oil once in awhile. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chip in.

David - I won't claim more kowledge - but this is what I do (and have done for years on Fisk's recommendation) and it works for me. I use an plastic ice-cream tub, filled 3/4 with mineral oil, and completely immerse the handle (ivory or stag) for 24hrs. Remove and wipe off the excess mineral oil, then a light coat of camelia oil on the blade then back in storage or in the display case. I do this twice a year.

 

[Kevin Jones]

The problem is, the degree to which a collector will need to tend their ivory handles will vary depending on their environment.
For me (central Virginia), keeping a small container of water in my display case works. I will also, from time to time, apply a light coating of camelia oil
letting it evaporate on it own. What I like about camelia oil is that it doesn't seem to evaporate as fast as regular mineral oil. I also coat my
damascus with camelia, as it provides protection and offers a favorable sheen.

Notice the Jefferson cup filled w/water behind the bottle. A cup that size will evaporate, hydrating the interior of the cabinet, in about 6 weeks.

 

[2knife]

This product is along the lines Kevin mentioned, a humidifier made for instrument cases. It has a gel that will last up to a year or more without refilling (tap water). I have used it for the past 5 yrs. or more, with no issues to report (w/sheephorn handles) Its called "Arion" available at several online sources.

David